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Mitchell Powerhouse and Dam NRHP 78001246 Mitchell County, IAPhoto: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 4.0
Town Hall · Mitchell

Mitchell spent less per resident in 2022 than 92% of similar cities

Mitchell’s city government spent $49,000 on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $383 per resident.

Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in Iowa.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$49,000
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$383
In 2022: $383, less than 92% of 802 similar cities
Long-term debt
Not reported
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
0
full-time · 10 part-time · March payroll $3,198 · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$1,450
1.25% of home value · IA 1.39%

What stands out about how Mitchell is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $383 per resident, less than 92% of 802 similar cities.A shared school districtShares Osage Community School District with 2 other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $1,450 a year: 1.25% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.
Compared with similar places

$383 per resident in 2022: less than 92% of them

Mitchell’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($383 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. Mitchell spent less than 92% of them.

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

Includes sewer and trash ($7,000), 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; Mitchell itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $383 per resident a year, or $1.05 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 31%.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 47%Sales taxes 18%From the state 16%Fees & charges 6%From other local governments 6%Interest, fines & other 6%
Not in the receipt.With the enterprises, the whole budget was $57,000.
About “Other”.29% of Mitchell’s day-to-day spending ($14,000) is filed by the Census Bureau outside the named functions above, so the receipt can’t say what it buys.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,450 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.25% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Iowa$2,897
Mitchell$1,450
$1,450
typical bill a year
1.25%
effective rate
$116,100
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Mitchell

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

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

Osage Community School District

Mitchell’s K–12 school district, shared with Orchard, Osage. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Mitchell →
$13,387
per pupil · IA $13,713
996
students
$4 million
long-term debt

Of the $13,387 per pupil, $8,621 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 45%State 50%Federal 5%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Mitchell’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Mitchell County’s results5,757 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican64.9%3,736 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat33.8%1,943 votes

Others: 1.4% (78 votes).

Most votes in Mitchell County: Donald J Trump

Iowa: Trump 55.7%, Harris 42.5%

The county’s page

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

Mitchell 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 Mitchell

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Mitchell.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Iowa HouseState representatives
    Jane Bloomingdale
  3. 3
    Iowa SenateState senator
    Doug Campbell
  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 Mitchell’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Mitchell’s government

How much does Mitchell spend per resident?

About $383 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 $383 was less than 92% of 802 Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Mitchell?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,450 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.25% 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 Mitchell’s government?

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

How did Mitchell vote in 2024?

Iowa counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Mitchell alone. Mitchell County, where 100% of Mitchell lies, voted Trump 64.9%, Harris 33.8% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Mitchell?

0 full-time and 10 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $3,198 (about $38,376 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Mitchell in the state legislature?

State Senate District 30 (Doug Campbell) and State House District 60 (Jane Bloomingdale). The House district also covers 20 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Mitchell’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 →