Photo: Billwhittaker · CC BY-SA 3.0West Liberty spent more per resident in 2022 than 69% of similar cities
West Liberty’s city government spent $6.8 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $1,816 per resident. Water and other utilities ($6.4 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how West Liberty is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$1,358 per resident in 2022: more than 69% of them
West Liberty’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,358 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 91 Iowa cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,166, and the middle half spent $1,027–$1,402. West Liberty spent more than 69% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.6 million), 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 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; West Liberty itself left out).
About $1,816 per resident a year, or $4.98 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 33%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Day-to-day spending is up 34% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years West Liberty reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.
Day-to-day spending by fiscal year
Per resident: 2022: $1,358 · 2023: $1,450 · 2024: $1,816.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
The typical homeowner pays $2,828 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.57% 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 West Liberty’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.
Tax bills are one input to West Liberty’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in West Liberty →
Who’s in charge in West Liberty
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
One full-time city employee for every 125 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (3,751).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
West Liberty Community School District
West Liberty’s K–12 school district, shared with Atalissa, Nichols. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $13,381 per pupil, $8,640 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 West Liberty voted in 2024
Official results for West Liberty’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat64.5%854 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican34.0%450 votesOthers: 1.5% (20 votes).
Most votes in West Liberty: Kamala D Harris
Muscatine County: Trump 56.6%, Harris 41.7% · Iowa: Trump 55.7%, Harris 42.5%
of West Liberty’s 2,301 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Iowa: 70%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in the district: Mariannette Millermeeks
Whole-district result
President, 2024: West Liberty, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Liberty | 64.5% | 34.0% | 1.5% | 1,324 |
| Muscatine County | 41.7% | 56.6% | 1.7% | 19,695 |
| Iowa | 42.5% | 55.7% | 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 West Liberty.
- 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 West Liberty’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about West Liberty’s government
How much does West Liberty spend per resident?
About $1,816 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,358 was more than 69% of 91 Iowa cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in West Liberty?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,828 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.57% 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 West Liberty’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for West Liberty yet.
How did West Liberty vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 64.5%, Donald J Trump 34.0% (1,324 votes, official results). Muscatine County: Trump 56.6%, Harris 41.7%. Iowa: Trump 55.7%, Harris 42.5%.
How many people work for West Liberty?
30 full-time and 16 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $181,954 (about $2.2M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents West Liberty in the state legislature?
State Senate District 41 (Kerry Gruenhagen) and State House District 82 (Bobby Kaufmann). The House district also covers 15 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about West Liberty’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 →