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Town Hall · Blairstown

Blairstown spent more per resident in 2022 than 99% of similar cities

Blairstown’s city government spent $2.1 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $3,225 per resident. Water and other utilities ($230,000) are counted separately.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$2.1M
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$3,225
In 2022: $3,225, more than 99% of 802 similar cities
Long-term debt
$143,000
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
2
full-time · 4 part-time · March payroll $19,878 · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$2,302
1.32% of home value · IA 1.39%

What stands out about how Blairstown is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $3,225 per resident, more than 99% of 802 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer76% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Benton Community School District with 6+ other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $2,302 a year: 1.32% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.
Compared with similar places

$3,225 per resident in 2022: more than 99% of them

Blairstown’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($3,225 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 802 Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $900, and the middle half spent $632–$1,186. Blairstown spent more than 99% of them.

Middle half of the group, $632–$1,186Median $900Blairstown

Includes sewer and trash ($1.5 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
802

Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Blairstown itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $3,225 per resident a year, or $8.84 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 74%.

Where the money comes from
Fees & charges 63%Property taxes 14%Utility sales 7%Interest, fines & other 6%From the state 4%Sales taxes 4%From other local governments 2%Other taxes & licenses <1%
Not in the receipt.Interest on debt $14,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $2.4 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $2,302 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.32% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Iowa$2,897
Blairstown$2,302
$2,302
typical bill a year
1.32%
effective rate
$175,000
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Blairstown’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. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.

Tax bills are one input to Blairstown’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Blairstown →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Blairstown

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

Check Blairstown’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Blairstown yet.
Who works for Blairstown

One full-time city employee for every 327 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (653).

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

Parks & libraries0 + 4 pt
Health & welfare1
Roads & transportation1
2
full-time
4
part-time
$19,878
payroll for March 2022
$238,536
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$72,400
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Estimates.Blairstown didn’t report its staff figures; these are the Census Bureau’s estimates, so they aren’t compared with other towns.

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

Benton Community School District

Blairstown’s K–12 school district, shared with Atkins, Elberon, Keystone, Newhall, Norway and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Blairstown →
$11,211
per pupil · IA $13,713
1,640
students
$4.2 million
long-term debt

Of the $11,211 per pupil, $6,595 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 42%State 54%Federal 4%

Iowa districts overall: 43% local, 49% state, 8% federal.

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Blairstown’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Benton County’s results14,470 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican66.0%9,549 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat32.8%4,739 votes

Others: 1.3% (182 votes).

Most votes in Benton County: Donald J Trump

Iowa: Trump 55.7%, Harris 42.5%

The county’s page

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

Benton 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 Blairstown

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Blairstown.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Iowa HouseState representatives
    Tom Gerhold
  3. 3
    Iowa SenateState senator
    Charlie McClintock
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Kim Reynolds
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Ashley Hinson
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Iowa
    Chuck GrassleyJoni Ernst

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

Reach Blairstown’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Blairstown’s government

How much does Blairstown spend per resident?

About $3,225 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 $3,225 was more than 99% of 802 Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Blairstown?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,302 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.32% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.

Who runs Blairstown’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Blairstown yet.

How did Blairstown vote in 2024?

Iowa counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Blairstown alone. Benton County, where 100% of Blairstown lies, voted Trump 66.0%, Harris 32.8% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Blairstown?

2 full-time and 4 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $19,878 (about $238,536 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Blairstown in the state legislature?

State Senate District 42 (Charlie McClintock) and State House District 84 (Tom Gerhold). The House district also covers 14 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Blairstown’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 →