Photo: Nyttend · Public domainGolden spent less per resident in 2022 than 92% of similar cities
Golden’s village government spent $126,000 on day-to-day services in the year to April 30, 2022, about $206 per resident. Water and other utilities ($117,000) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Golden is run
Read from the village’s budget and official records.
$206 per resident in 2022: less than 92% of them
Golden’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($206 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 637 Illinois cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $503, and the middle half spent $344–$713. Golden spent less than 92% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Illinois cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Golden itself left out).
About $206 per resident a year, or $0.56 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 52%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Golden reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $1,443 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.18% of the home’s value, vs 2.01% across Illinois.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Golden’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 Golden’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Golden →
Who’s in charge in Golden
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
One full-time village employee for every 611 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 (611).
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.
Central CUSD 3
Golden’s K–12 school district, shared with Camp Point Township, Camp Point, Clayton Township, Clayton, Coatsburg and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $15,858 per pupil, $9,126 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.
Illinois districts overall: 52% local, 38% state, 10% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
Golden’s votes are counted by county
Illinois reports official results by county and precinct, not by village, so there are no official results for Golden alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Adams County’s results.
Donald J TrumpRepublican72.6%23,161 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat25.4%8,111 votesOthers: 2.0% (650 votes).
Most votes in Adams County: Donald J Trump
Illinois: Harris 54.4%, Trump 43.5%
100% of Golden lies in Adams County. Every 2024 race in Adams County is on the county’s page.
Adams County’s 2024 results →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 Golden.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilLocal officials aren’t on record yet.
- 2Illinois HouseGolden is split between 2 districts
- 3Illinois SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Illinois
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
Reach Golden’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about Golden’s government
How much does Golden spend per resident?
About $206 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to April 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $206 was less than 92% of 637 Illinois cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Golden?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,443 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.18% of the typical home’s value, vs 2.01% across Illinois. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the village’s assessor.
Who runs Golden’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Golden yet.
How did Golden vote in 2024?
Illinois counts votes by county and precinct, not by village, so there are no official results for Golden alone. Adams County, where 100% of Golden lies, voted Trump 72.6%, Harris 25.4% for president; its page has every race.
How many people work for Golden?
1 full-time and 1 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $2,134 (about $25,608 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Golden in the state legislature?
Golden is split among 2 State House districts and 2 State Senate districts, so your address decides. The Illinois Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Golden’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 →