Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Russell

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
RussellIowaSignPhoto: PopePompus · CC BY-SA 4.0
Town Hall · Russell

Russell spent less per resident in 2022 than 73% of similar cities

Russell’s city government spent $356,000 on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $670 per resident. Water and other utilities ($113,000) are counted separately.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$356,000
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$670
In 2022: $670, less than 73% of 802 similar cities
Long-term debt
$63,000
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
1
full-time · 1 part-time · March payroll $5,192
Typical tax bill
$547
0.89% of home value · IA 1.39%

What stands out about how Russell is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $670 per resident, less than 73% of 802 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer47% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Chariton Community School District with 3 other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $547 a year: 0.89% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.
Compared with similar places

$670 per resident in 2022: less than 73% of them

Russell’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($670 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–$1,190. Russell spent less than 73% of them.

Middle half of the group, $632–$1,190Median $900Russell

Includes sewer and trash ($108,000), 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; Russell itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $670 per resident a year, or $1.84 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 30%.

Where the money comes from
From the state 87%Fees & charges 4%Utility sales 3%Property taxes 3%Sales taxes 2%From other local governments 1%Interest, fines & other <1%Other taxes & licenses <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $2 million; interest on debt $3,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $2.5 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $547 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.89% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Iowa$2,897
Russell$547
$547
typical bill a year
0.89%
effective rate
$61,500
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Russell

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

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

One full-time city employee for every 531 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 (531).

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

Sewer & trash1
Administration & buildings0 + 1 pt
1
full-time
1
part-time
$5,192
payroll for March 2022
$62,304
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$43,200
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.Russell had 1.9 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: Russell had fewer than 57% 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

Chariton Community School District

Russell’s K–12 school district, shared with Chariton, Lucas, Williamson. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Russell →
$12,609
per pupil · IA $13,713
1,298
students
$5.3 million
long-term debt

Of the $12,609 per pupil, $7,941 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 30%State 56%Federal 14%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Russell’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Lucas County’s results4,639 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican73.3%3,400 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat25.2%1,169 votes

Others: 1.5% (70 votes).

Most votes in Lucas County: Donald J Trump

Iowa: Trump 55.7%, Harris 42.5%

The county’s page

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

Lucas 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 Russell

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Russell.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Iowa HouseState representatives
    Sam Wengryn
  3. 3
    Iowa SenateState senator
    Amy Sinclair
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Kim Reynolds
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Zachary Nunn
  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 Russell’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Russell’s government

How much does Russell spend per resident?

About $670 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 $670 was less than 73% of 802 Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Russell?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $547 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.89% 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 Russell’s government?

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

How did Russell vote in 2024?

Iowa counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Russell alone. Lucas County, where 100% of Russell lies, voted Trump 73.3%, Harris 25.2% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Russell?

1 full-time and 1 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $5,192 (about $62,304 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Russell in the state legislature?

State Senate District 12 (Amy Sinclair) and State House District 24 (Sam Wengryn). The House district also covers 24 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Russell’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 →