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Town Hall · Swaledale

Swaledale spent more per resident in 2022 than 91% of similar cities

Swaledale’s city government spent $256,000 on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,631 per resident. Water and other utilities ($57,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Today

General election in Iowa.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$256,000
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$1,631
In 2022: $1,631, more than 91% of 802 similar cities
Long-term debt
Not reported
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
0
full-time · 15 part-time · March payroll $7,430 · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$1,065
1.69% of home value · IA 1.39%

What stands out about how Swaledale is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $1,631 per resident, more than 91% of 802 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer35% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares West Fork Community School District with 5 other towns.Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $1,065 a year: 1.69% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.
Compared with similar places

$1,631 per resident in 2022: more than 91% of them

Swaledale’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,631 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. Swaledale spent more than 91% of them.

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

Includes sewer and trash ($53,000), 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; Swaledale itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $1,631 per resident a year, or $4.47 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: fire, at 22%.

Where the money comes from
Interest, fines & other 26%Fees & charges 17%Property taxes 17%Sales taxes 11%Utility sales 11%From other local governments 7%From the state 6%From the federal government 5%
Not in the receipt.Payments to other governments $30,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $343,000.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,065 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.69% of the home’s value, vs 1.39% across Iowa.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Iowa$2,897
Swaledale$1,065
$1,065
typical bill a year
1.69%
effective rate
$62,900
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Swaledale

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

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

West Fork Community School District

Swaledale’s K–12 school district, shared with Dougherty, Meservey, Rockwell, Sheffield, Thornton. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Swaledale →
$14,059
per pupil · IA $13,713
760
students
$8 million
long-term debt

Of the $14,059 per pupil, $8,750 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 44%State 42%Federal 14%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Swaledale’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Cerro Gordo County’s results22,942 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican55.0%12,627 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat43.4%9,955 votes

Others: 1.6% (360 votes).

Most votes in Cerro Gordo County: Donald J Trump

Iowa: Trump 55.7%, Harris 42.5%

The county’s page

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

Cerro Gordo 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 Swaledale

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Swaledale.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Iowa HouseState representatives
    Christian Hermanson
  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 Swaledale’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Swaledale’s government

How much does Swaledale spend per resident?

About $1,631 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 $1,631 was more than 91% of 802 Iowa cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Swaledale?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,065 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.69% 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 Swaledale’s government?

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

How did Swaledale vote in 2024?

Iowa counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Swaledale alone. Cerro Gordo County, where 100% of Swaledale lies, voted Trump 55.0%, Harris 43.4% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Swaledale?

0 full-time and 15 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $7,430 (about $89,160 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Swaledale in the state legislature?

State Senate District 30 (Doug Campbell) and State House District 59 (Christian Hermanson). The House district also covers six other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Swaledale’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 →