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McFarland, Kern County, California. Homes in McFarland shacktown.Photo: Dorothea Lange · Public domain
Town Hall · McFarland

McFarland spent less per resident in 2022 than 83% of similar cities

McFarland’s city government spent $10.3 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $828 per resident. Water and other utilities ($1.3 million) are counted separately.

Town website
Election Day

Today

General election in California.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$10.3M
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$828
In 2022: $828, less than 83% of 101 similar cities
Long-term debt
$21.0M
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
56
full-time · 1 part-time · March payroll $478,013
Typical tax bill
$2,069
0.76% of home value · CA 0.70%

What stands out about how McFarland is run

Read from the city’s budget, meetings and official records.

Agendas posted online4 upcoming meetings posted, with agendas.Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $828 per resident, less than 83% of 101 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer32% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $2,069 a year: 0.76% of the home’s value, vs 0.70% across California.
★ What stands out · Meetings

4 upcoming meetings at town hall

From McFarland’s own agenda portal, checked daily. Agendas can change up to the meeting, so check before you go.

Recent meetings

  • Oct28
    GeneralWednesday · 6:00 pm · 103 W. Sherwood Ave McFarland CA, 93250, City Council ChambersCity Council MeetingAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
  • Oct14
    GeneralWednesday · 6:00 pm · 103 W. Sherwood Ave McFarland CA, 93250, City Council ChambersCity Council MeetingAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
  • Oct14
    GeneralWednesday · 5:00 pm · 103 W. Sherwood Ave McFarland CA, 93250, City Council ChambersNotice: Cancellation of October 14, 2026, Public Safety Committee MeetingMeeting page ↗
  • Oct14
    GeneralWednesday · 3:30 pm · 103 W. Sherwood Ave McFarland CA, 93250, City Council ChambersSpecial Quality-of-Life Committee MeetingAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
  • Oct14
    GeneralWednesday · 2:00 pm · 103 W. Sherwood Ave McFarland CA, 93250, City Council ChambersSpecial Public Policy and Finance Committee MeetingAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
Go in person

Most meetings are open to the public, and many have a public comment period at the start.

Agenda portal ↗
Your share of the 2022 budget

About $828 per resident a year, or $2.27 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 24%.

Where the money comes from
Interest, fines & other 26%Other taxes & licenses 18%Fees & charges 16%Sales taxes 12%Property taxes 10%Utility sales 9%From the state 9%From other local governments <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $1.9 million; interest on debt $729,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $14.2 million.
About “Other”.26% of McFarland’s day-to-day spending ($2.7 million) is filed by the Census Bureau outside the named functions above, so the receipt can’t say what it buys.
Compared with similar places

$828 per resident in 2022: less than 83% of them

McFarland’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($828 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 101 California cities of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,385, and the middle half spent $906–$1,910. McFarland spent less than 83% of them.

Middle half of the group, $906–$1,910Median $1,385McFarland

Includes sewer and trash ($2.4 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 →

The group
101

California cities of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; McFarland itself left out).

Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $2,069 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.76% of the home’s value, vs 0.70% across California.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

California$5,124
McFarland$2,069
$2,069
typical bill a year
0.76%
effective rate
$272,700
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in McFarland

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

See mcfarlandcity.org for McFarland’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for McFarland yet.mcfarlandcity.org ↗
Who works for McFarland

One full-time city employee for every 223 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 (12,482).

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

Police26 + 1 pt
Administration & buildings13
Water & other utilities6
Roads & transportation5
Housing & development3
Sewer & trash3
56
full-time
1
part-time
$478,013
payroll for March 2022
$5.7M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$102,200
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
26
sworn police officers
Compared, 2022.McFarland had 4.5 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 79 of the 101 California cities of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 4.7: McFarland had fewer than 54% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

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

McFarland Unified School District

McFarland’s K–12 school district. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in McFarland →
$19,167
per pupil · CA $21,206
3,274
students
$46.4 million
long-term debt

Of the $19,167 per pupil, $10,602 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 19%State 68%Federal 13%

California districts overall: 36% local, 52% state, 11% federal.

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

Elections · 2024 general election

McFarland’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Kern County’s results282,579 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican59.2%167,414 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat38.2%108,047 votes

Others: 2.5% (7,118 votes).

Most votes in Kern County: Donald J Trump

California: Harris 58.5%, Trump 38.3%

The county’s page

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

Kern 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 McFarland

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for McFarland.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Officials: mcfarlandcity.org ↗
  2. 2
    California AssemblyState representatives
    Jasmeet Bains
  3. 3
    California SenateState senator
    Melissa Hurtado
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Gavin Newsom
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    David G. Valadao
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of California
    Alex PadillaAdam B. Schiff

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

Reach McFarland’s government

The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.

The Handbook →
Official websitemcfarlandcity.org ↗

Questions about McFarland’s government

How much does McFarland spend per resident?

About $828 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 $828 was less than 83% of 101 California cities of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in McFarland?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,069 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.76% of the typical home’s value, vs 0.70% across California. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see mcfarlandcity.org.

Who runs McFarland’s government?

See mcfarlandcity.org for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for McFarland yet.

How did McFarland vote in 2024?

California counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for McFarland alone. Kern County, where 100% of McFarland lies, voted Trump 59.2%, Harris 38.2% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for McFarland?

56 full-time and 1 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $478,013 (about $5.7M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents McFarland in the state legislature?

State Senate District 16 (Melissa Hurtado) and Assembly District 35 (Jasmeet Bains). The Assembly district also covers five other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

When is the next public meeting in McFarland?

The next posted meeting is General on Wednesday, November 4, at 6:00 pm in 103 W. Sherwood Ave McFarland CA, 93250, City Council Chambers, from the city’s own agenda portal.

Ask neighbors about McFarland’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 →