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St. Peters United Evangelical Lutheran ChurchSt. Peters United Evangelical Lutheran Church · Photo: Rahummel · CC BY-SA 3.0
Town Hall · Garnavillo

Garnavillo spent more per resident in 2022 than 79% of similar cities

Garnavillo’s city government spent $910,000 on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,271 per resident. Water and other utilities ($119,000) are counted separately.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$910,000
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$1,271
In 2022: $1,271, more than 79% of 802 similar cities
Long-term debt
$932,000
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
3
full-time · 7 part-time · March payroll $19,156
Typical tax bill
$1,974
1.60% of home value · IA 1.39%

What stands out about how Garnavillo is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $1,271 per resident, more than 79% of 802 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer30% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Clayton Ridge Community School District with 4 other towns.Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $1,974 a year: 1.60% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.
Compared with similar places

$1,271 per resident in 2022: more than 79% of them

Garnavillo’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,271 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. Garnavillo spent more than 79% of them.

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

Includes sewer and trash ($194,000), 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; Garnavillo itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $1,271 per resident a year, or $3.48 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 35%.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 25%Fees & charges 24%Utility sales 18%Sales taxes 13%From the state 9%From other local governments 5%From the federal government 4%Interest, fines & other 2%Other taxes & licenses <1%
Not in the receipt.Interest on debt $21,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $1.1 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,974 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.60% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Iowa$2,897
Garnavillo$1,974
$1,974
typical bill a year
1.60%
effective rate
$123,100
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Garnavillo

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

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

One full-time city employee for every 239 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (716).

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

Parks & libraries0 + 3 pt
Police0 + 3 pt
Administration & buildings1
Sewer & trash1
Water & other utilities1
Other0 + 1 pt
3
full-time
7
part-time
$19,156
payroll for March 2022
$229,872
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$56,000
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.Garnavillo had 4.2 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 648 of the 802 Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 2.8: Garnavillo had more than 62% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

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

Clayton Ridge Community School District

Garnavillo’s K–12 school district, shared with Clayton, Guttenberg, North Buena Vista, Osterdock. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Garnavillo →
$9,664
per pupil · IA $13,713
1,773
students
$1.6 million
long-term debt

Of the $9,664 per pupil, $7,824 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 71%State 25%Federal 3%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Garnavillo’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Clayton County’s results9,381 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican66.7%6,255 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat32.2%3,017 votes

Others: 1.2% (109 votes).

Most votes in Clayton County: Donald J Trump

Iowa: Trump 55.7%, Harris 42.5%

The county’s page

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

Clayton 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 Garnavillo

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Garnavillo.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Iowa HouseState representatives
    Jason Gearhart
  3. 3
    Iowa SenateState senator
    Mike Klimesh
  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 Garnavillo’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Garnavillo’s government

How much does Garnavillo spend per resident?

About $1,271 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 $1,271 was more than 79% of 802 Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Garnavillo?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,974 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.60% 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 Garnavillo’s government?

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

How did Garnavillo vote in 2024?

Iowa counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Garnavillo alone. Clayton County, where 100% of Garnavillo lies, voted Trump 66.7%, Harris 32.2% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Garnavillo?

3 full-time and 7 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $19,156 (about $229,872 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Garnavillo in the state legislature?

State Senate District 32 (Mike Klimesh) and State House District 64 (Jason Gearhart). The House district also covers 23 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Garnavillo’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 →