Watson Township spent less per resident in 2022 than 91% of similar towns
Watson Township’s town government spent $126,000 on day-to-day services in the year to March 31, 2022, about $40 per resident.
What stands out about how Watson Township is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$40 per resident in 2022: less than 91% of them
Watson Township’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($40 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 195 Illinois towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $88, and the middle half spent $63–$122. Watson Township spent less than 91% 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 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Watson Township itself left out).
About $40 per resident a year, or $0.11 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 71%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Revenue is well above spending. That usually means Watson Township collects property taxes for the school district and county and passes them on, so only its own spending is counted.
No trend yet
Watson Township reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $2,485 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.45% 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 Watson 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.
Tax bills are one input to Watson Township’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Watson Township →
Who’s in charge in Watson Township
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Effingham Community Unit School District 40
Watson Township’s K–12 school district, shared with Edgewood, Mason, Watson, Effingham, Mason Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $16,887 per pupil, $9,799 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.
Teutopolis Community Unit School District 50 · $11,134 per pupil
Dieterich Community Unit School District 30 · $11,974 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Watson Township voted in 2024
Official results for Watson Township’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican83.4%1,480 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat15.2%270 votesOthers: 1.4% (25 votes).
Most votes in Watson Township: Donald J Trump
Effingham County: Trump 78.9%, Harris 18.9% · Illinois: Harris 54.4%, Trump 43.5%
of Watson Township’s 2,432 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: Mike Bost
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Watson Township, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watson Township | 83.4% | 15.2% | 1.4% | 1,775 |
| Effingham County | 78.9% | 18.9% | 2.3% | 19,177 |
| 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 Watson 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 Watson Township compares with the towns next door
Watson Township spent $40 per resident in 2022; the 7 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $43 to $344. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Teutopolis Township | $43 | $3,668 |
| Douglas Township | $44 | $2,894 |
| Jackson Township | $114 | $2,000 |
| Bishop Township | $129 | $3,324 |
| St. Francis Township | $135 | $2,770 |
| Union Township | $171 | $2,397 |
| Watson | $344 | $1,648 |
| Watson Township | $40 | $2,485 |
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 Watson Township’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about Watson Township’s government
How much does Watson Township spend per resident?
About $40 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 $40 was less than 91% of 195 Illinois towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Watson Township?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,485 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.45% 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 Watson Township’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Watson Township yet.
How did Watson Township vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 83.4%, Kamala D Harris 15.2% (1,775 votes, official results). Effingham County: Trump 78.9%, Harris 18.9%. Illinois: Harris 54.4%, Trump 43.5%.
How many people work for Watson Township?
0 full-time and 13 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $21,275 (about $255,300 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Watson Township in the state legislature?
State Senate District 54 (Steve McClure) and State House District 107 (Brad Halbrook). The House district also covers 96 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Watson 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 →