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Ellsworth Ranch BridgeEllsworth Ranch Bridge · Photo: Joseph Elliott · Public domain
Town Hall · Dolliver

Dolliver spent less per resident in 2022 than 78% of similar cities

Dolliver’s city government spent $35,000 on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $603 per resident. Water and other utilities ($7,000) are counted separately.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$35,000
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$603
In 2022: $603, less than 78% of 802 similar cities
Long-term debt
Not reported
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
0
full-time · 8 part-time · March payroll $2,274
Typical tax bill
$825
1.40% of home value · IA 1.39%

What stands out about how Dolliver is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $603 per resident, less than 78% of 802 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer38% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District with 4 other towns.Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $825 a year: 1.40% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.
Compared with similar places

$603 per resident in 2022: less than 78% of them

Dolliver’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($603 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 $634–$1,190. Dolliver spent less than 78% of them.

Middle half of the group, $634–$1,190Median $900Dolliver

Includes sewer and trash ($9,000), 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; Dolliver itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $603 per resident a year, or $1.65 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 26%.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 31%Utility sales 27%Sales taxes 19%Fees & charges 12%From the state 12%
Not in the receipt.Payments to other governments $2,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $44,000.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $825 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.40% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Iowa$2,897
Dolliver$825
$825
typical bill a year
1.40%
effective rate
$59,000
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Dolliver

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

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

Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District

Dolliver’s K–12 school district, shared with Estherville, Gruver, Wallingford, Superior. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Dolliver →
$14,188
per pupil · IA $13,713
1,189
students
$6.1 million
long-term debt

Of the $14,188 per pupil, $8,849 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 41%State 51%Federal 9%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Dolliver’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Emmet County’s results4,786 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican71.5%3,422 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat27.5%1,315 votes

Others: 1.0% (49 votes).

Most votes in Emmet County: Donald J Trump

Iowa: Trump 55.7%, Harris 42.5%

The county’s page

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

Emmet 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 Dolliver

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Dolliver.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Iowa HouseState representatives
    Henry Stone
  3. 3
    Iowa SenateState senator
    Dave Rowley
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Kim Reynolds
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Randy Feenstra
  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 Dolliver’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Dolliver’s government

How much does Dolliver spend per resident?

About $603 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 $603 was less than 78% of 802 Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Dolliver?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $825 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.40% 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 Dolliver’s government?

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

How did Dolliver vote in 2024?

Iowa counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Dolliver alone. Emmet County, where 100% of Dolliver lies, voted Trump 71.5%, Harris 27.5% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Dolliver?

0 full-time and 8 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $2,274 (about $27,288 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Dolliver in the state legislature?

State Senate District 5 (Dave Rowley) and State House District 9 (Henry Stone). The House district also covers 22 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Dolliver’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 →