Photo: Nick Helten · CC BY-SA 3.0Garwin spent less per resident in 2022 than 84% of similar cities
Garwin’s city government spent $254,000 on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $518 per resident. Water and other utilities ($777,000) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Garwin is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$518 per resident in 2022: less than 84% of them
Garwin’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($518 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. Garwin spent less than 84% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($46,000), 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; Garwin itself left out).
About $518 per resident a year, or $1.42 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: parks & libraries, at 20%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Garwin reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $1,380 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.58% 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 Garwin’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 Garwin’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Garwin →
Who’s in charge in Garwin
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
GMG Community School District
Garwin’s K–12 school district. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $14,203 per pupil, $8,775 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 Garwin voted in 2024
Official results for Garwin’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican60.6%220 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat38.0%138 votesOthers: 1.4% (5 votes).
Most votes in Garwin: Donald J Trump
Tama County: Trump 62.6%, Harris 35.7% · Iowa: Trump 55.7%, Harris 42.5%
Most votes in the district: Ashley Hinson
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Garwin, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garwin | 60.6% | 38.0% | 1.4% | 363 |
| Tama County | 62.6% | 35.7% | 1.7% | 8,594 |
| 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 Garwin.
- 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 Garwin’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about Garwin’s government
How much does Garwin spend per resident?
About $518 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 $518 was less than 84% of 802 Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Garwin?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,380 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.58% 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 Garwin’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Garwin yet.
How did Garwin vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 60.6%, Kamala D Harris 38.0% (363 votes, official results). Tama County: Trump 62.6%, Harris 35.7%. Iowa: Trump 55.7%, Harris 42.5%.
How many people work for Garwin?
0 full-time and 4 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $2,680 (about $32,160 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Garwin 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 Garwin’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 →