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James V. and Sophia Baker HouseJames V. and Sophia Baker House · Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 4.0
Town Hall · Cottonwood

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

Cottonwood’s city government spent $1.3 million on day-to-day services in the year to September 30, 2022, about $1,352 per resident. Water and other utilities ($314,000) are counted separately.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$1.3M
year to September 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$1,352
In 2022: $1,352, more than 91% of 85 similar cities
Long-term debt
$826,000
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
7
full-time · 7 part-time · March payroll $33,589
Typical tax bill
$872
0.37% of home value · ID 0.49%

What stands out about how Cottonwood is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $1,352 per resident, more than 91% of 85 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer51% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Cottonwood Joint School District 242 with 1 other town.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $872 a year: 0.37% of the home’s value, vs 0.49% across Idaho.
Compared with similar places

$1,352 per resident in 2022: more than 91% of them

Cottonwood’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,352 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 85 Idaho cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $558, and the middle half spent $299–$776. Cottonwood spent more than 91% of them.

Middle half of the group, $299–$776Median $558Cottonwood

Includes sewer and trash ($518,000), 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
85

Idaho cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Cottonwood itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $1,352 per resident a year, or $3.70 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 39%.

Where the money comes from
Fees & charges 26%Utility sales 21%From the state 17%From the federal government 16%Property taxes 15%Interest, fines & other 4%Sales taxes 1%From other local governments <1%Other taxes & licenses <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $190,000; interest on debt $40,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $1.9 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $872 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.37% of the home’s value, vs 0.49% across Idaho.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Idaho$2,038
Cottonwood$872
$872
typical bill a year
0.37%
effective rate
$234,700
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Cottonwood

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

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

One full-time city employee for every 140 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 (977).

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

Administration & buildings1 + 5 pt
Roads & transportation2
Sewer & trash2
Police1 + 1 pt
Water & other utilities1
Fire0 + 1 pt
7
full-time
7
part-time
$33,589
payroll for March 2022
$403,068
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$54,600
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
1
sworn police officers
Compared, 2022.Cottonwood had 7.2 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 72 of the 85 Idaho cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 3.7: Cottonwood had more than 69% 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

Cottonwood Joint School District 242

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

Schools in Cottonwood →
$12,405
per pupil · ID $11,119
435
students
None
long-term debt

Of the $12,405 per pupil, $8,363 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 12%State 73%Federal 15%

Idaho districts overall: 21% local, 67% state, 12% federal.

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Cottonwood’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Idaho County’s results9,867 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican82.6%8,148 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat14.8%1,460 votes

Others: 2.6% (259 votes).

Most votes in Idaho County: Donald J Trump

Idaho: Trump 66.9%, Harris 30.4%

The county’s page

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

Idaho 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 Cottonwood

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Cottonwood.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Idaho HouseState representatives
    Charlie ShepherdKyle Harris
  3. 3
    Idaho SenateState senator
    Cindy Carlson
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Brad Little
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Russ Fulcher
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Idaho
    Mike CrapoJames E. Risch

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Reach Cottonwood’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Cottonwood’s government

How much does Cottonwood spend per resident?

About $1,352 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to September 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,352 was more than 91% of 85 Idaho cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Cottonwood?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $872 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.37% of the typical home’s value, vs 0.49% across Idaho. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.

Who runs Cottonwood’s government?

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

How did Cottonwood vote in 2024?

Idaho counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Cottonwood alone. Idaho County, where 100% of Cottonwood lies, voted Trump 82.6%, Harris 14.8% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Cottonwood?

7 full-time and 7 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $33,589 (about $403,068 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Cottonwood in the state legislature?

State Senate District 7 (Cindy Carlson) and State House District 7 (Charlie Shepherd and Kyle Harris). The House district also covers 10 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Cottonwood’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 →