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Town Hall · Kiowa

Kiowa spent more per resident in 2022 than 89% of similar cities

Kiowa’s city government spent $928,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $1,012 per resident. Water and other utilities ($1 million) are counted separately.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$928,000
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$1,012
In 2022: $1,012, more than 89% of 252 similar cities
Long-term debt
$7.9M
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2025
8
full-time · 16 part-time · March payroll $57,991
Typical tax bill
$1,445
2.09% of home value · KS 1.29%

What stands out about how Kiowa is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $1,012 per resident, more than 89% of 252 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer64% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares South Barber Unified School District 255 with 6+ other towns.Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $1,445 a year: 2.09% of the home’s value, vs 1.29% across Kansas.
Compared with similar places

$1,012 per resident in 2022: more than 89% of them

Kiowa’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,012 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 252 Kansas cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $516, and the middle half spent $249–$749. Kiowa spent more than 89% of them.

Middle half of the group, $249–$749Median $516Kiowa

Includes sewer and trash ($226,000), 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
252

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

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $1,012 per resident a year, or $2.77 a day

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

Where the money comes from
Utility sales 55%Fees & charges 16%From other local governments 12%From the state 10%Interest, fines & other 4%From the federal government 2%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $3.1 million; interest on debt $28,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $5 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

City staff
8

full-time in March 2025, down from 24 in 2022.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,445 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 2.09% of the home’s value, vs 1.29% across Kansas.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Kansas$2,798
Kiowa$1,445
$1,445
typical bill a year
2.09%
effective rate
$69,100
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Kiowa

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

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

One full-time city employee for every 115 residents

On the payroll in March 2025, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (917).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2025

Administration & buildings0 + 11 pt
Sewer & trash4
Fire0 + 4 pt
Water & other utilities2
Roads & transportation1
Police1
Courts, inspections & corrections0 + 1 pt
8
full-time
16
part-time
$57,991
payroll for March 2025
$695,892
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$44,900
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
1
sworn police officers
Compared, 2022.Kiowa had 26.2 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 226 of the 252 Kansas cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 5.0: Kiowa had more than 99% 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

South Barber Unified School District 255

Kiowa’s K–12 school district, shared with Elwood Township, Hardtner, Hazelton, Kiowa Township, Aetna Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Kiowa →
$19,382
per pupil · KS $14,966
217
students
None
long-term debt

Of the $19,382 per pupil, $10,760 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 34%State 60%Federal 6%

Kansas districts overall: 28% local, 61% state, 11% federal.

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Kiowa’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Barber County’s results2,170 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican85.4%1,854 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat13.3%288 votes

Others: 1.3% (28 votes).

Most votes in Barber County: Donald J Trump

Kansas: Trump 57.2%, Harris 41.0%

The county’s page

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

Barber 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 Kiowa

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Kiowa.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Kansas HouseState representatives
    Kyle Hoffman
  3. 3
    Kansas SenateState senator
    Mike Murphy
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Laura Kelly
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Ron Estes
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Kansas
    Jerry MoranRoger Marshall

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

Reach Kiowa’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Kiowa’s government

How much does Kiowa spend per resident?

About $1,012 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 $1,012 was more than 89% of 252 Kansas cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Kiowa?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,445 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 2.09% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.29% across Kansas. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.

Who runs Kiowa’s government?

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

How did Kiowa vote in 2024?

Kansas counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Kiowa alone. Barber County, where 100% of Kiowa lies, voted Trump 85.4%, Harris 13.3% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Kiowa?

8 full-time and 16 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $57,991 (about $695,892 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Kiowa in the state legislature?

State Senate District 34 (Mike Murphy) and State House District 116 (Kyle Hoffman). The House district also covers 70 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Kiowa’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 →