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Town Hall · Newark

Newark spent more per resident in 2022 than 68% of similar cities

Newark’s city government spent $693,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $581 per resident. Water and other utilities ($135,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in Arkansas.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$693,000
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$581
In 2022: $581, more than 68% of 181 similar cities
Long-term debt
$867,000
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2022
9
full-time · 12 part-time · March payroll $42,303 · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$713
0.74% of home value · AR 0.55%

What stands out about how Newark is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $581 per resident, more than 68% of 181 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer23% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Cedar Ridge School District with 2 other towns.Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $713 a year: 0.74% of the home’s value, vs 0.55% across Arkansas.
Compared with similar places

$581 per resident in 2022: more than 68% of them

Newark’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($581 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 181 Arkansas cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $353, and the middle half spent $179–$644. Newark spent more than 68% of them.

Middle half of the group, $179–$644Median $353Newark

Includes sewer and trash ($62,000), 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
181

Arkansas cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Newark itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $581 per resident a year, or $1.59 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 15%.

Where the money comes from
Utility sales 34%Sales taxes 32%Fees & charges 24%Property taxes 8%From other local governments 1%Interest, fines & other <1%
Not in the receipt.Interest on debt $36,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $891,000.
About “Other”.66% of Newark’s day-to-day spending ($459,000) is filed by the Census Bureau outside the named functions above, so the receipt can’t say what it buys.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $713 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.74% of the home’s value, vs 0.55% across Arkansas.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Arkansas$1,040
Newark$713
$713
typical bill a year
0.74%
effective rate
$96,300
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Newark’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 Newark’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Newark →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Newark

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

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

One full-time city employee for every 133 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 (1,193).

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

Administration & buildings2 + 12 pt
Roads & transportation3
Water & other utilities3
Parks & libraries1
9
full-time
12
part-time
$42,303
payroll for March 2022
$507,636
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$48,900
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Estimates.Newark didn’t report its staff figures; these are the Census Bureau’s estimates, so they aren’t compared with other towns.

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

Cedar Ridge School District

Newark’s K–12 school district, shared with Magness, Oil Trough. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Newark →
$17,920
per pupil · AR $13,585
638
students
$6 million
long-term debt

Of the $17,920 per pupil, $9,654 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 23%State 65%Federal 12%

Arkansas districts overall: 16% local, 70% state, 14% federal.

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Newark’s votes are counted by county

Arkansas reports official results by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Newark alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Independence County’s results.

President · Independence County’s results14,011 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican78.7%11,023 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat19.2%2,689 votes

Others: 2.1% (299 votes).

Most votes in Independence County: Donald J Trump

Arkansas: Trump 64.2%, Harris 33.6%

The county’s page

100% of Newark lies in Independence County. Every 2024 race in Independence County is on the county’s page.

Independence 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 Newark

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Newark.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Arkansas HouseState representatives
    Wayne Long
  3. 3
    Arkansas SenateState senator
    John Payton
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Sarah Huckabee Sanders
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Eric A. "Rick" Crawford
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Arkansas
    John BoozmanTom Cotton

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

Reach Newark’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Newark’s government

How much does Newark spend per resident?

About $581 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 $581 was more than 68% of 181 Arkansas cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Newark?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $713 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.74% of the typical home’s value, vs 0.55% across Arkansas. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.

Who runs Newark’s government?

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

How did Newark vote in 2024?

Arkansas counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Newark alone. Independence County, where 100% of Newark lies, voted Trump 78.7%, Harris 19.2% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Newark?

9 full-time and 12 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $42,303 (about $507,636 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Newark in the state legislature?

State Senate District 22 (John Payton) and State House District 39 (Wayne Long). The House district also covers 11 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Newark’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 →