West Haven Green Historic District · Photo: The original uploader was Polaron at English Wikipedia. · CC BY 2.5West Haven spent less per resident in 2022 than 71% of similar cities
West Haven’s city government spent $223.3 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $4,060 per resident.
What stands out about how West Haven is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$3,812 per resident in 2022: less than 71% of them
West Haven’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($3,812 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 $4,337, and the middle half spent $3,631–$4,976. West Haven spent less than 71% of them.
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 →
U.S. cities of 50,000–99,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; West Haven itself left out).
About $4,060 per resident a year, or $11.12 a day
Schools are part of the city’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 63% of day-to-day spending.
Thank you for being a neighbor
West Haven 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.
Day-to-day spending is up 8% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years West Haven 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: $3,812 · 2023: $3,894 · 2024: $4,060.
full-time in March 2025, up from 1,235 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.
The typical homeowner pays $6,941 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 2.38% of the home’s value, vs 1.81% across Connecticut.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at West Haven’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 West Haven’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in West Haven →
Who’s in charge in West Haven
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
West Haven’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on cityofwesthaven.com ↗.
One full-time city employee for every 43 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 (55,004).
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.
West Haven School District
West Haven’s K–12 school district. The schools are run by West Haven, so this money is part of the budget above.
Of the $22,165 per pupil, $16,276 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 West Haven voted in 2024
Official results for West Haven’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat60.0%12,310 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican38.7%7,949 votesOthers: 1.3% (258 votes).
Most votes in West Haven: Kamala D Harris
New Haven County: Harris 55.0%, Trump 43.1% · Connecticut: Harris 56.4%, Trump 41.9%
of West Haven’s 38,996 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Connecticut: 66%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in West Haven: Christopher S Murphy
New Haven County: Murphy 58.2%, Corey 40.0% · Connecticut: Murphy 58.6%, Corey 39.7%
Most votes in the district: Rosa L Delauro
Whole-district result
President, 2024: West Haven, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Haven | 60.0% | 38.7% | 1.3% | 20,517 |
| New Haven County | 55.0% | 43.1% | 1.9% | 397,987 |
| 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.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for West Haven.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: cityofwesthaven.com ↗
- 2Connecticut HouseWest Haven is split between 3 districts
- 3Connecticut SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Connecticut
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How West Haven compares with the towns next door
West Haven spent $3,812 per resident in 2022; the 3 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $150 to $6,610. 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 West Haven’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about West Haven’s government
How much does West Haven spend per resident?
About $4,060 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 $3,812 was less than 71% of 42 U.S. cities of 50,000–99,999 that run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in West Haven?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $6,941 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 2.38% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.81% across Connecticut. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see cityofwesthaven.com.
Who runs West Haven’s government?
See cityofwesthaven.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for West Haven yet.
How did West Haven vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 60.0%, Donald J Trump 38.7% (20,517 votes, official results). New Haven County: Harris 55.0%, Trump 43.1%. Connecticut: Harris 56.4%, Trump 41.9%.
How many people work for West Haven?
1,286 full-time and 474 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $8.9M (about $107.1M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents West Haven in the state legislature?
West Haven is split among 3 State House districts and 2 State Senate districts, so your address decides. The Connecticut Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about West Haven’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 →