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View of Scott Township, Columbia County, PennsylvaniaPhoto: Jakec · CC BY-SA 3.0
Town Hall · Scott Township

Scott Township spent more per resident in 2022 than 70% of similar towns

Scott Township’s town government spent $2.8 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $549 per resident.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$2.8M
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$549
In 2022: $549, more than 70% of 466 similar towns
Long-term debt
$209,000
end of 2022, reported
Town staff, 2022
25
full-time · 1 part-time · March payroll $90,262
Typical tax bill
$2,736
1.17% of home value · PA 1.30%

What stands out about how Scott Township is run

Read from the town’s budget and official records.

Compared with similar places

$549 per resident in 2022: more than 70% of them

Scott Township’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($549 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 466 Pennsylvania towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $419, and the middle half spent $306–$593. Scott Township spent more than 70% of them.

Middle half of the group, $306–$593Median $419Scott Township

Includes sewer and trash ($60,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
466

Pennsylvania towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Scott Township itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $549 per resident a year, or $1.50 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 37%.

Where the money comes from
From the federal government 38%Income taxes 22%Property taxes 15%From the state 9%Other taxes & licenses 7%Fees & charges 4%Interest, fines & other 3%From other local governments 3%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $189,000; interest on debt $10,000. With these, the whole budget was $3 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

Scott Township reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $2,736 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.17% of the home’s value, vs 1.30% across Pennsylvania.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Pennsylvania$3,311
Scott Township$2,736
Orange Township$2,708
North Centre Township$2,556
Mount Pleasant Township$2,401
Main Township$2,221
Bloomsburg$1,985
Espy$1,959
Almedia$1,861
Lightstreet$1,796
$2,736
typical bill a year
1.17%
effective rate
$234,100
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Scott Township’s rate.

Can I afford it? →

The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.

Tax bills are one input to Scott Township’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Scott Township →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Scott Township

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

Check Scott Township’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Scott Township yet.
Who works for Scott Township

One full-time town employee for every 202 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (5,038).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Administration & buildings11
Police10
Roads & transportation4 + 1 pt
25
full-time
1
part-time
$90,262
payroll for March 2022
$1.1M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$43,200
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
10
sworn police officers
Compared, 2022.Scott Township had 5.0 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 332 of the 466 Pennsylvania towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 1.5: Scott Township had more than 98% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.

The school district

Central Columbia School District

Scott Township’s K–12 school district, shared with Mifflin Township, Mount Pleasant Township, North Centre Township, Orange Township, Orangeville and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Scott Township →
$17,507
per pupil · PA $21,758
1,943
students
$38.4 million
long-term debt

Of the $17,507 per pupil, $10,741 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 57%State 39%Federal 3%

Pennsylvania districts overall: 55% local, 37% state, 8% federal.

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

Scott Township’s votes are counted by county

Pennsylvania reports official results by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for Scott Township alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Columbia County’s results.

President · Columbia County’s results32,576 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican65.0%21,190 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat34.0%11,083 votes

Others: 0.9% (303 votes).

Most votes in Columbia County: Donald J Trump

Pennsylvania: Trump 50.4%, Harris 48.7%

The county’s page

100% of Scott Township lies in Columbia County. Every 2024 race in Columbia County is on the county’s page.

Columbia County’s 2024 results →
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.

Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.

Who represents Scott Township

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Scott Township.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Pennsylvania HouseState representatives
  3. 3
    Pennsylvania SenateState senator
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Pennsylvania

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Next door

How Scott Township compares with the towns next door

Scott Township spent $549 per resident in 2022; the 5 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $280 to $651. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Main Township$280$2,221
Mount Pleasant Township$281$2,401
North Centre Township$326$2,556
South Centre Township$604$1,793
Bloomsburg$651$1,985
Orange Townshipestimate$2,708
Scott Township$549$2,736

Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).

Reach Scott Township’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Scott Township’s government

How much does Scott Township spend per resident?

About $549 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $549 was more than 70% of 466 Pennsylvania towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Scott Township?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,736 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.17% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.30% across Pennsylvania. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the town’s assessor.

Who runs Scott Township’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Scott Township yet.

How did Scott Township vote in 2024?

Pennsylvania counts votes by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for Scott Township alone. Columbia County, where 100% of Scott Township lies, voted Trump 65.0%, Harris 34.0% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Scott Township?

25 full-time and 1 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $90,262 (about $1.1M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Scott Township in the state legislature?

State Senate District 27 (Lynda Culver) and State House District 109 (Robert Leadbeter). The House district also covers 32 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Scott Township’s government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →