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Chelsea Iowa City Hall and Library 3-10-2014Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0
Town Hall · Chelsea

Chelsea spent more per resident in 2022 than 92% of similar cities

Chelsea’s city government spent $421,000 on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,711 per resident. Water and other utilities ($49,000) are counted separately.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$421,000
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$1,711
In 2022: $1,711, more than 92% of 802 similar cities
Long-term debt
Not reported
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
0
full-time · 16 part-time · March payroll $7,503
Typical tax bill
$617
1.42% of home value · IA 1.39%

What stands out about how Chelsea is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $1,711 per resident, more than 92% of 802 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer21% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares South Tama County Community School District with 4 other towns.Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $617 a year: 1.42% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.
Compared with similar places

$1,711 per resident in 2022: more than 92% of them

Chelsea’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,711 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. Chelsea spent more than 92% of them.

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

Includes sewer and trash ($49,000), 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; Chelsea itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $1,711 per resident a year, or $4.69 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 37%.

Where the money comes from
Interest, fines & other 22%Property taxes 16%Utility sales 15%From the state 14%Fees & charges 11%From other local governments 8%Sales taxes 8%From the federal government 5%Other taxes & licenses 1%
Not in the receipt.Payments to other governments $5,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $475,000.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $617 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.42% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Iowa$2,897
Chelsea$617
$617
typical bill a year
1.42%
effective rate
$43,500
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Chelsea

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

Check Chelsea’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Chelsea yet.
The school district

South Tama County Community School District

Chelsea’s K–12 school district, shared with Montour, Tama, Toledo, Vining. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Chelsea →
$14,323
per pupil · IA $13,713
1,422
students
$35 million
long-term debt

Of the $14,323 per pupil, $7,925 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 34%State 53%Federal 13%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Chelsea’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Tama County’s results8,594 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican62.6%5,379 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat35.7%3,070 votes

Others: 1.7% (145 votes).

Most votes in Tama County: Donald J Trump

Iowa: Trump 55.7%, Harris 42.5%

The county’s page

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

Tama 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 Chelsea

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Chelsea.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Iowa HouseState representatives
    Dean Fisher
  3. 3
    Iowa SenateState senator
    Annette Sweeney
  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 Chelsea’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Chelsea’s government

How much does Chelsea spend per resident?

About $1,711 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 $1,711 was more than 92% of 802 Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Chelsea?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $617 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.42% 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 Chelsea’s government?

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

How did Chelsea vote in 2024?

Iowa counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Chelsea alone. Tama County, where 100% of Chelsea lies, voted Trump 62.6%, Harris 35.7% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Chelsea?

0 full-time and 16 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $7,503 (about $90,036 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Chelsea in the state legislature?

State Senate District 27 (Annette Sweeney) and State House District 53 (Dean Fisher). The House district also covers 20 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Chelsea’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 →