In Nelson Township, 68% of adult citizens voted for president in 2024, more than across Illinois
Nelson Township’s town government spent $140,000 on day-to-day services in the year to March 31, 2022, about $172 per resident.
What stands out about how Nelson Township is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$172 per resident in 2022: less than 73% of them
Nelson Township’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($172 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 860 Illinois towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $265, and the middle half spent $165–$397. Nelson Township spent less than 73% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Illinois towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Nelson Township itself left out).
About $172 per resident a year, or $0.47 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 73%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Nelson Township reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $3,021 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 2.05% 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 Nelson Township’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 Nelson Township’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Nelson Township →
Who’s in charge in Nelson Township
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Rock Falls Township High School District 301
Nelson Township’s high school district, shared with Coloma Township, Hahnaman Township, Harmon Township, Hume Township, Montmorency Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $21,141 per pupil, $12,428 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.
Dixon Unit School District 170 · $16,626 per pupil
East Coloma-Nelson Consolidated Elementary School District 20 · $20,268 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Nelson Township voted in 2024
Official results for Nelson Township’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican60.7%246 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat36.8%149 votesOthers: 2.5% (10 votes).
Most votes in Nelson Township: Donald J Trump
Lee County: Trump 59.8%, Harris 37.7% · Illinois: Harris 54.4%, Trump 43.5%
of Nelson Township’s 595 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Illinois: 62%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in the district: Darin Lahood
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Nelson Township, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson Township | 60.7% | 36.8% | 2.5% | 405 |
| Lee County | 59.8% | 37.7% | 2.5% | 16,194 |
| Illinois | 43.5% | 54.4% | 2.2% | 5,633,310 |
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 Nelson Township.
- 1Your townTown governmentLocal officials aren’t on record yet.
- 2Illinois HouseState representatives
- 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.
How Nelson Township compares with the towns next door
Nelson Township spent $172 per resident in 2022; the 4 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $30 to $692. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Coloma Township | $30 | $2,144 |
| Palmyra Township | $92 | $4,546 |
| South Dixon Township | $186 | $3,712 |
| Harmon Township | $692 | $1,333 |
| Nelson Township | $172 | $3,021 |
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach Nelson Township’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about Nelson Township’s government
How much does Nelson Township spend per resident?
About $172 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to March 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $172 was less than 73% of 860 Illinois towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Nelson Township?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $3,021 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 2.05% of the typical home’s value, vs 2.01% across Illinois. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the town’s assessor.
Who runs Nelson Township’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Nelson Township yet.
How did Nelson Township vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 60.7%, Kamala D Harris 36.8% (405 votes, official results). Lee County: Trump 59.8%, Harris 37.7%. Illinois: Harris 54.4%, Trump 43.5%.
How many people work for Nelson Township?
0 full-time and 8 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $2,159 (about $25,908 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Nelson Township in the state legislature?
State Senate District 37 (Li Arellano) and State House District 74 (Brad Fritts). The House district also covers 82 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Nelson Township’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 →