Holbrook-Palmer Estate, "Elmwood" · Photo: LPS.1 · CC0Atherton spent more per resident in 2022 than 84% of similar cities
Atherton’s town government spent $22 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $3,135 per resident.
What stands out about how Atherton is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$3,135 per resident in 2022: more than 84% of them
Atherton’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($3,135 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 76 California cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,472, and the middle half spent $1,070–$2,428. Atherton spent more than 84% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($33,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
California cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Atherton itself left out).
About $3,135 per resident a year, or $8.59 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 63%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Atherton reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
Typical bills top $10,000 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Atherton’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 Atherton’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Atherton →
Who’s in charge in Atherton
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Atherton’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on ci.atherton.ca.us ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 175 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 (7,011).
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.
Sequoia Union High School District
Atherton’s high school district, shared with East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $27,344 per pupil, $15,214 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.
California districts overall: 36% local, 52% state, 11% federal.
Menlo Park City Elementary School District · $27,970 per pupil
Las Lomitas Elementary School District · $32,152 per pupil
Redwood City Elementary School District · $23,614 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
Atherton’s votes are counted by county
California reports official results by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for Atherton alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are San Mateo County’s results.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat73.5%242,834 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican23.2%76,515 votesOthers: 3.3% (10,929 votes).
Most votes in San Mateo County: Kamala D Harris
California: Harris 58.5%, Trump 38.3%
100% of Atherton lies in San Mateo County. Every 2024 race in San Mateo County is on the county’s page.
San Mateo 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 Atherton.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: ci.atherton.ca.us ↗
- 2California AssemblyAtherton is split between 2 districts
- 3California SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseSplit between districts
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of California
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How Atherton compares with the towns next door
Atherton spent $3,135 per resident in 2022; the 3 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $1,880 to $2,403. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Woodside | $1,880 | $10,000+ |
| Menlo Park | $2,049 | $10,000+ |
| Redwood City | $2,403 | $9,935 |
| Atherton | $3,135 | $10,000+ |
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 Atherton’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Atherton’s government
How much does Atherton spend per resident?
About $3,135 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $3,135 was more than 84% of 76 California cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
Who runs Atherton’s government?
See ci.atherton.ca.us for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Atherton yet.
How did Atherton vote in 2024?
California counts votes by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for Atherton alone. San Mateo County, where 100% of Atherton lies, voted Harris 73.5%, Trump 23.2% for president; its page has every race.
How many people work for Atherton?
40 full-time and 4 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $503,648 (about $6.0M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Atherton in the state legislature?
Atherton is split among 2 Assembly districts, so your address decides. The California Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Its State Senate district is District 13 (Josh Becker). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Atherton’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 →