Dayton spent more per resident in 2022 than 81% of similar cities
Dayton’s city government spent $1 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,324 per resident. Water and other utilities ($912,000) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Dayton is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$1,324 per resident in 2022: more than 81% of them
Dayton’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,324 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. Dayton spent more than 81% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($158,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Dayton itself left out).
About $1,324 per resident a year, or $3.63 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 18%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Dayton reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $1,705 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.49% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Dayton’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 Dayton’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Dayton →
Who’s in charge in Dayton
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
One full-time city employee for every 260 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 (781).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Southeast Valley Community School District
Dayton’s K–12 school district, shared with Boxholm, Callender, Farnhamville, Gowrie, Harcourt and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $14,919 per pupil, $9,037 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.
Iowa districts overall: 43% local, 49% state, 8% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Dayton voted in 2024
Official results for Dayton’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican67.7%428 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat30.5%193 votesOthers: 1.7% (11 votes).
Most votes in Dayton: Donald J Trump
Webster County: Trump 64.9%, Harris 33.8% · Iowa: Trump 55.7%, Harris 42.5%
Most votes in the district: Randy Feenstra
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Dayton, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton | 67.7% | 30.5% | 1.7% | 632 |
| Webster County | 64.9% | 33.8% | 1.3% | 16,706 |
| Iowa | 55.7% | 42.5% | 1.8% | 1,663,506 |
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 Dayton.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilLocal officials aren’t on record yet.
- 2Iowa HouseState representatives
- 3Iowa SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Iowa
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
Reach Dayton’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about Dayton’s government
How much does Dayton spend per resident?
About $1,324 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 $1,324 was more than 81% of 802 Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Dayton?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,705 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.49% 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 Dayton’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Dayton yet.
How did Dayton vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 67.7%, Kamala D Harris 30.5% (632 votes, official results). Webster County: Trump 64.9%, Harris 33.8%. Iowa: Trump 55.7%, Harris 42.5%.
How many people work for Dayton?
3 full-time and 23 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $42,791 (about $513,492 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Dayton in the state legislature?
State Senate District 4 (Tim Kraayenbrink) and State House District 7 (Wendy Larson). The House district also covers 35 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Dayton’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 →