Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0New Canaan spent more per resident in 2022 than 100% of similar towns
New Canaan’s town government spent $123.6 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $5,950 per resident.
What stands out about how New Canaan is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$12,961 per resident in 2022: more than 100% of them
New Canaan’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($12,961 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 25 Connecticut towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools: the median was $4,715, and the middle half spent $4,159–$6,330. New Canaan spent more than 100% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.7 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 →
Connecticut towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; New Canaan itself left out).
About $5,950 per resident a year, or $16.30 a day
Schools are part of the town’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 100% of day-to-day spending.
Thank you for being a neighbor
New Canaan runs its own schools, so school spending is part of this budget. Comparisons are with Connecticut towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools.
Day-to-day spending is down 53% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years New Canaan 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: $12,961 · 2023: $5,743 · 2024: $5,950.
full-time in March 2025, up from 887 in 2022.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
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 New Canaan’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 New Canaan’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in New Canaan →
Who’s in charge in New Canaan
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
New Canaan’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on newcanaan.info ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 22 residents
On the payroll in March 2025, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (20,775).
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.
New Canaan School District
New Canaan’s K–12 school district. The schools are run by New Canaan, so this money is part of the budget above.
Of the $29,555 per pupil, $17,089 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.
Connecticut districts overall: 58% local, 35% state, 8% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How New Canaan voted in 2024
Official results for New Canaan’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat55.8%6,644 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican42.2%5,023 votesOthers: 2.1% (248 votes).
Most votes in New Canaan: Kamala D Harris
Connecticut: Harris 56.4%, Trump 41.9%
of New Canaan’s 14,219 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Connecticut: 66%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in New Canaan: Christopher S Murphy
Connecticut: Murphy 58.6%, Corey 39.7%
President, 2024: New Canaan, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Canaan | 55.8% | 42.2% | 2.1% | 11,915 |
| Connecticut | 56.4% | 41.9% | 1.7% | 1,759,010 |
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.
How New Canaan compares with the towns next door
New Canaan spent $12,961 per resident in 2022; the 2 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $5,228 to $5,489. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
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 New Canaan’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about New Canaan’s government
How much does New Canaan spend per resident?
About $5,950 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 $12,961 was more than 100% of 25 Connecticut towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools.
Who runs New Canaan’s government?
See newcanaan.info for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for New Canaan yet.
How did New Canaan vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 55.8%, Donald J Trump 42.2% (11,915 votes, official results). . Connecticut: Harris 56.4%, Trump 41.9%.
How many people work for New Canaan?
943 full-time and 158 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $8.2M (about $98.1M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about New Canaan’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 →