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Laurel, IndianaPhoto: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0
Town Hall · Laurel

Laurel spent less per resident in 2022 than 68% of similar cities

Laurel’s town government spent $213,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $392 per resident. Water and other utilities ($68,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in Indiana.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$213,000
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$392
In 2022: $392, less than 68% of 363 similar cities
Long-term debt
Not reported
end of 2022, reported
Town staff, 2022
0
full-time · 2 part-time · March payroll $5,792 · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$620
0.85% of home value · IN 0.74%

What stands out about how Laurel is run

Read from the town’s budget and official records.

Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $392 per resident, less than 68% of 363 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer51% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Franklin County Community School Corporation with 6+ other towns.Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $620 a year: 0.85% of the home’s value, vs 0.74% across Indiana.
Compared with similar places

$392 per resident in 2022: less than 68% of them

Laurel’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($392 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 363 Indiana cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $586, and the middle half spent $292–$967. Laurel spent less than 68% of them.

Middle half of the group, $292–$967Median $586Laurel

Includes sewer and trash ($74,000), 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
363

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

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $392 per resident a year, or $1.07 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 41%.

Where the money comes from
Fees & charges 55%Utility sales 21%Property taxes 11%From the state 8%Interest, fines & other 5%From other local governments 1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $10,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $291,000.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $620 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.85% of the home’s value, vs 0.74% across Indiana.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Indiana$1,614
Laurel$620
$620
typical bill a year
0.85%
effective rate
$72,900
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Laurel

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

Check Laurel’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Laurel yet.
The school district

Franklin County Community School Corporation

Laurel’s K–12 school district, shared with Blooming Grove Township, Brookville, Brookville Township, Cedar Grove, Fairfield Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Laurel →
$13,144
per pupil · IN $13,688
1,987
students
$13.3 million
long-term debt

Of the $13,144 per pupil, $6,552 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 38%State 55%Federal 7%

Indiana districts overall: 33% local, 56% state, 11% federal.

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

Who represents Laurel

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Laurel.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Indiana HouseState representatives
    Lindsay Patterson
  3. 3
    Indiana SenateState senator
    Jean Leising
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Mike Braun
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Erin Houchin
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Indiana
    Todd YoungJim Banks

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

Reach Laurel’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Laurel’s government

How much does Laurel spend per resident?

About $392 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $392 was less than 68% of 363 Indiana cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Laurel?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $620 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.85% of the typical home’s value, vs 0.74% across Indiana. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the town’s assessor.

Who runs Laurel’s government?

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

How many people work for Laurel?

0 full-time and 2 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $5,792 (about $69,504 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Laurel in the state legislature?

State Senate District 42 (Jean Leising) and State House District 55 (Lindsay Patterson). The House district also covers 45 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Laurel’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 →