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Norwalk, CTPhoto: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Town Hall · Norwalk

Norwalk spent more per resident in 2022 than 86% of similar cities

Norwalk’s city government spent $489.4 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $5,355 per resident.

Town website
Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in Connecticut.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2024
$489.4M
year to June 30, 2024
Per resident, 2024
$5,355
In 2022: $5,228, more than 86% of 42 similar cities
Long-term debt
$435.5M
end of FY2024, reported
City staff, 2025
2,261
full-time · 646 part-time · March payroll $20.3M · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$7,817
1.40% of home value · CT 1.81%

What stands out about how Norwalk is run

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

Agendas posted online6 upcoming meetings posted, with agendas.Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $5,228 per resident, more than 86% of 42 similar cities.Runs its own schoolsThe schools are part of the city budget, not a separate district.Split between districts5 State House districts cover Norwalk; your street decides yours.
★ What stands out · Meetings

6 upcoming meetings at town hall

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

Recent meetings

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 2024 budget

About $5,355 per resident a year, or $14.67 a day

Schools are part of the city’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 64% of day-to-day spending.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 71%From the state 15%Fees & charges 7%From the federal government 3%Interest, fines & other 3%Other taxes & licenses 1%From other local governments <1%
Schools included

Norwalk runs its own schools, so school spending is part of this budget. Comparisons are with U.S. cities of 50,000–99,999 that run their own schools.

Not in the receipt.Building projects $115 million; interest on debt $15.4 million; payments to other governments $2 million. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $626.5 million.
Compared with similar places

$5,228 per resident in 2022: more than 86% of them

Norwalk’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($5,228 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 42 U.S. cities of 50,000–99,999 that run their own schools: the median was $4,282, and the middle half spent $3,631–$4,866. Norwalk spent more than 86% of them.

Middle half of the group, $3,631–$4,866Median $4,282Norwalk

Includes sewer and trash ($12.5 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
42

U.S. cities of 50,000–99,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Norwalk itself left out).

Over the years

Day-to-day spending is up 6% since 2022

Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Norwalk reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.

Day-to-day spending by fiscal year

2022$463.5 million
2023$485.6 million
2024$489.4 million

Per resident: 2022: $5,228 · 2023: $5,324 · 2024: $5,355.

City staff
2,261

full-time in March 2025, up from 2,069 in 2022. Both are Census estimates.

Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $7,817 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.40% of the home’s value, vs 1.81% across Connecticut.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Darien$10,000+
Westport$10,000+
Tokeneke$10,000+
Saugatuck$10,000+
Old Hill$10,000+
New Canaan$10,000+
Wilton$10,000+
Poplar Plains$10,000+
South Wilton$10,000+
Norwalk$7,817
$7,817
typical bill a year
1.40%
effective rate
$558,000
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Norwalk

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

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

One full-time city employee for every 40 residents

On the payroll in March 2025, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (91,401).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2025

Schools1,607 + 385 pt
Police225 + 31 pt
Fire146 + 3 pt
Parks & libraries49 + 156 pt
Administration & buildings79 + 29 pt
Roads & transportation83 + 3 pt
Health & welfare24 + 13 pt
Sewer & trash12
Courts, inspections & corrections8 + 1 pt
Other28 + 25 pt
2,261
full-time
646
part-time
$20.3M
payroll for March 2025
$244.0M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$105,000
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
186
sworn police officers
140
full-time firefighters
Compared, 2022.Norwalk had 23.3 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 31 of the 42 U.S. cities of 50,000–99,999 that run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 28.7: Norwalk had fewer than 84% 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

Norwalk School District

Norwalk’s K–12 school district. The schools are run by Norwalk, so this money is part of the budget above.

Schools in Norwalk →
$26,163
per pupil · CT $25,892
11,520
students
None
long-term debt

Of the $26,163 per pupil, $16,513 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 65%State 28%Federal 8%

Connecticut districts overall: 58% local, 35% state, 8% federal.

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

Elections · 2024 general election

How Norwalk voted in 2024

Official results for Norwalk’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.

President41,714 votes · results as certified
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat63.6%26,526 votes
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican35.0%14,586 votes

Others: 1.4% (602 votes).

Most votes in Norwalk: Kamala D Harris

Fairfield County: Harris 59.0%, Trump 39.4% · Connecticut: Harris 56.4%, Trump 41.9%

Turnout
67%

of Norwalk’s 62,069 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Connecticut: 66%.

Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).

U.S. Senate40,397 votes
Christopher S MurphyDemocrat65.9%
Matthew M CoreyRepublican32.4%
Others1.7%

Most votes in Norwalk: Christopher S Murphy

Fairfield County: Murphy 60.3%, Corey 38.3% · Connecticut: Murphy 58.6%, Corey 39.7%

U.S. House · Connecticut’s 4th District328,857 votes
Jim HimesDemocrat61.1%
Michael GoldsteinRepublican37.3%
Others1.6%

Most votes in the district: Jim Himes

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Norwalk, its county and the state

HarrisTrumpOthersVotes
Norwalk63.6%35.0%1.4%41,714
Fairfield County59.0%39.4%1.6%452,303
Connecticut56.4%41.9%1.7%1,759,010
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 Norwalk

From town hall to Washington

Norwalk sends 5 representatives to the Connecticut House alone.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Officials: norwalkct.org ↗
  2. 2
    Connecticut HouseNorwalk is split between 5 districts
    Lucy DathanDominique JohnsonKadeem RobertsTravis SimmsTracy Marra
  3. 3
    Connecticut SenateState senator
    Bob Duff
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Ned Lamont
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    James A. Himes
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Connecticut
    Richard BlumenthalChristopher Murphy
Find your state legislators by address ↗

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

Next door

How Norwalk compares with the towns next door

Norwalk spent $5,228 per resident in 2022; the 2 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $8,547 to $12,961. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

Darien: no reported 2022 figuresWestport: $8,547 per resident (2022)Tokeneke: unincorporated, no town budgetSaugatuck: unincorporated, no town budgetOld Hill: unincorporated, no town budgetNew Canaan: $12,961 per resident (2022)Wilton: no reported 2022 figuresPoplar Plains: unincorporated, no town budgetSouth Wilton: unincorporated, no town budgetDarienWestportTokenekeSaugatuckOld HillNew CanaanWiltonPoplar PlainsSouth WiltonNorwalk
Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Westport$8,547 runs schools$10,000+
New Canaan$12,961 runs schools$10,000+
Darienestimate$10,000+
Wiltonestimate$10,000+
Norwalk$5,228$7,817

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 Norwalk’s government

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

The Handbook →
Official websitenorwalkct.org ↗

Questions about Norwalk’s government

How much does Norwalk spend per resident?

About $5,355 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 $5,228 was more than 86% of 42 U.S. cities of 50,000–99,999 that run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Norwalk?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $7,817 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.40% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.81% across Connecticut. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see norwalkct.org.

Who runs Norwalk’s government?

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

How did Norwalk vote in 2024?

For president, Kamala D Harris 63.6%, Donald J Trump 35.0% (41,714 votes, official results). Fairfield County: Harris 59.0%, Trump 39.4%. Connecticut: Harris 56.4%, Trump 41.9%.

How many people work for Norwalk?

2,261 full-time and 646 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $20.3M (about $244.0M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Norwalk in the state legislature?

Norwalk is split among 5 State House districts, so your address decides. The Connecticut Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Its State Senate district is District 25 (Bob Duff). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

When is the next public meeting in Norwalk?

The next posted meeting is Public Works Committee on Tuesday, November 3, at 7:00 pm in Virtual via Zoom, from the city’s own agenda portal.

Ask neighbors about Norwalk’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 →