St. Mary's spent more per resident in 2022 than 81% of similar cities
St. Mary's’ city government spent $10 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $16,785 per resident. Water and other utilities ($148,000) are counted separately.
What stands out about how St. Mary's is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$15,102 per resident in 2022: more than 81% of them
St. Mary's’ day-to-day spending in 2022 ($15,102 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 16 Alaska cities that run their own schools: the median was $9,278, and the middle half spent $6,778–$11,740. St. Mary's spent more than 81% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($166,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Alaska cities that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; St. Mary's itself left out).
About $16,785 per resident a year, or $45.99 a day
Schools are part of the city’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 91% of day-to-day spending.
Thank you for being a neighbor
St. Mary's runs its own schools, so school spending is part of this budget. Comparisons are with Alaska cities that run their own schools.
Day-to-day spending is up 16% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years St. Mary's reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.
Day-to-day spending by fiscal year
Per resident: 2022: $15,102 · 2024: $16,785. Per resident it went from $15,102 to $16,785 (up 11%), partly because the Census population behind it changed from 569 to 596.
full-time in March 2025, the same as 30 in 2022. Both are Census estimates.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
Who’s in charge in St. Mary's
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
One full-time city employee for every 20 residents
On the payroll in March 2025, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (596).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2025
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
St. Marys City School District
St. Mary's’ K–12 school district. The schools are run by St. Mary's, so this money is part of the budget above.
Of the $47,885 per pupil, $22,084 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.
Alaska districts overall: 24% local, 55% state, 21% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for St. Mary's.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilLocal officials aren’t on record yet.
- 2Alaska HouseState representatives
- 3Alaska SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Alaska
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How St. Mary's compares with the towns next door
St. Mary's spent $15,102 per resident in 2022. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| St. Mary's | $15,102 | — |
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 St. Mary's’ government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about St. Mary's’ government
How much does St. Mary's spend per resident?
About $16,785 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $15,102 was more than 81% of 16 Alaska cities that run their own schools.
Who runs St. Mary's’ government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for St. Mary's yet.
How many people work for St. Mary's?
30 full-time and 44 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $205,533 (about $2.5M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents St. Mary's in the state legislature?
State Senate District T (Donny Olson) and State House District 39 (Neal Foster). The House district also covers 26 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about St. Mary'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 →