West Jefferson spent less per resident in 2022 than 96% of similar cities
West Jefferson’s town government spent $12,000 on day-to-day services in the year to September 30, 2022, about $29 per resident. Water and other utilities ($453,000) are counted separately.
What stands out about how West Jefferson is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$29 per resident in 2022: less than 96% of them
West Jefferson’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($29 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 109 Alabama cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $430, and the middle half spent $192–$735. West Jefferson spent less than 96% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Alabama cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; West Jefferson itself left out).
About $29 per resident a year, or $0.08 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 100%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
West Jefferson reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $592 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.38% of the home’s value, vs 0.38% across Alabama.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at West Jefferson’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 Jefferson’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in West Jefferson →
Who’s in charge in West Jefferson
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
West Jefferson’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on townofwestjefferson.com ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 69 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 (415).
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.
Jefferson County School District
West Jefferson’s K–12 school district, shared with Adamsville, Brighton, Brookside, Cardiff, Center Point and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $12,625 per pupil, $6,769 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.
Alabama districts overall: 31% local, 53% state, 16% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
West Jefferson’s votes are counted by county
Alabama reports official results by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for West Jefferson alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Jefferson County’s results.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat54.3%162,112 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican43.9%131,123 votesOthers: 1.8% (5,469 votes).
Most votes in Jefferson County: Kamala D Harris
Alabama: Trump 64.6%, Harris 34.1%
100% of West Jefferson lies in Jefferson County. Every 2024 race in Jefferson County is on the county’s page.
Jefferson 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 Jefferson.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: townofwestjefferson.com ↗
- 2Alabama HouseState representatives
- 3Alabama SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Alabama
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How West Jefferson compares with the towns next door
West Jefferson spent $29 per resident in 2022; the neighbor that reported 2022 spent $2,304. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $2,304 | $997 |
| Adamsville | estimate | $751 |
| West Jefferson | $29 | $592 |
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 Jefferson’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about West Jefferson’s government
How much does West Jefferson spend per resident?
About $29 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to September 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $29 was less than 96% of 109 Alabama cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in West Jefferson?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $592 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.38% of the typical home’s value, vs 0.38% across Alabama. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see townofwestjefferson.com.
Who runs West Jefferson’s government?
See townofwestjefferson.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for West Jefferson yet.
How did West Jefferson vote in 2024?
Alabama counts votes by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for West Jefferson alone. Jefferson County, where 100% of West Jefferson lies, voted Harris 54.3%, Trump 43.9% for president; its page has every race.
How many people work for West Jefferson?
6 full-time and 8 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $28,689 (about $344,268 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents West Jefferson in the state legislature?
State Senate District 5 (Matt Woods) and State House District 16 (Bryan Brinyark). The House district also covers 14 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about West Jefferson’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 →