West Homestead spent more per resident in 2022 than 98% of similar cities
West Homestead’s borough government spent $3.7 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $1,979 per resident.
What stands out about how West Homestead is run
Read from the borough’s budget and official records.
$1,979 per resident in 2022: more than 98% of them
West Homestead’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,979 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 574 Pennsylvania cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $483, and the middle half spent $300–$724. West Homestead spent more than 98% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.3 million), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Pennsylvania cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; West Homestead itself left out).
About $1,979 per resident a year, or $5.42 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 34%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
West Homestead reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $3,135 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.87% of the home’s value, vs 1.30% across Pennsylvania.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at West Homestead’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. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.
Tax bills are one input to West Homestead’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in West Homestead →
Who’s in charge in West Homestead
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
West Homestead’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The borough posts agendas and minutes on westhomesteadpa.com ↗.
One full-time borough employee for every 143 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (1,854).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Steel Valley School District
West Homestead’s K–12 school district, shared with Homestead, Munhall. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $24,354 per pupil, $14,782 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.
Pennsylvania districts overall: 55% local, 37% state, 8% federal.
School year 2022–23. Census Bureau school finance survey.
West Homestead’s votes are counted by county
Pennsylvania reports official results by county and precinct, not by borough, so there are no official results for West Homestead alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Allegheny County’s results.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat59.7%429,916 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican39.4%283,595 votesOthers: 1.0% (6,993 votes).
Most votes in Allegheny County: Kamala D Harris
Pennsylvania: Trump 50.4%, Harris 48.7%
100% of West Homestead lies in Allegheny County. Every 2024 race in Allegheny County is on the county’s page.
Allegheny County’s 2024 results →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.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for West Homestead.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: westhomesteadpa.com ↗
- 2Pennsylvania HouseState representatives
- 3Pennsylvania SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Pennsylvania
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How West Homestead compares with the towns next door
West Homestead spent $1,979 per resident in 2022; the 3 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $1,374 to $2,452. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Munhall | $1,374 | $2,339 |
| Homestead | $1,817 | $625 |
| Pittsburgh | $2,452 | $1,822 |
| West Homestead | $1,979 | $3,135 |
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 West Homestead’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about West Homestead’s government
How much does West Homestead spend per resident?
About $1,979 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 $1,979 was more than 98% of 574 Pennsylvania cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in West Homestead?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $3,135 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.87% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.30% across Pennsylvania. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see westhomesteadpa.com.
Who runs West Homestead’s government?
See westhomesteadpa.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for West Homestead yet.
How did West Homestead vote in 2024?
Pennsylvania counts votes by county and precinct, not by borough, so there are no official results for West Homestead alone. Allegheny County, where 100% of West Homestead lies, voted Harris 59.7%, Trump 39.4% for president; its page has every race.
How many people work for West Homestead?
13 full-time and 52 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $157,657 (about $1.9M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents West Homestead in the state legislature?
State Senate District 45 (Nick Pisciottano) and State House District 35 (Dan Goughnour). The House district also covers 13 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about West Homestead’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
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 →