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2016-03-22 16 15 56 The intersection of De Jean Street (Louisiana State Route 103) and Main Street (Louisiana Route 182) in Washington, LouisianaPhoto: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Town Hall · Washington

Washington spent more per resident in 2022 than 88% of similar cities

Washington’s town government spent $1 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,120 per resident. Water and other utilities ($449,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in Louisiana.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$1.0M
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$1,120
In 2022: $1,120, more than 88% of 76 similar cities
Long-term debt
Not reported
end of FY2022, reported
Town staff, 2022
9
full-time · 10 part-time · March payroll $32,797 · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$254
0.30% of home value · LA 0.55%

What stands out about how Washington is run

Read from the town’s budget and official records.

Compared with similar places

$1,120 per resident in 2022: more than 88% of them

Washington’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,120 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 76 Louisiana cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $477, and the middle half spent $146–$864. Washington spent more than 88% of them.

Middle half of the group, $146–$864Median $477Washington

Includes sewer and trash ($126,000), 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
76

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

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $1,120 per resident a year, or $3.07 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 42%.

Where the money comes from
Utility sales 35%Interest, fines & other 17%From the federal government 14%Sales taxes 13%Fees & charges 10%Other taxes & licenses 5%From other local governments 3%Property taxes 2%From the state <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $14,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $1.5 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $254 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.30% of the home’s value, vs 0.55% across Louisiana.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Louisiana$1,180
Washington$254
$254
typical bill a year
0.30%
effective rate
$85,300
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Washington

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

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

One full-time town employee for every 100 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (903).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Administration & buildings3 + 6 pt
Police2 + 3 pt
Sewer & trash2
Roads & transportation1
Water & other utilities1
Other0 + 1 pt
9
full-time
10
part-time
$32,797
payroll for March 2022
$393,564
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$30,800
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
2
sworn police officers
Estimates.Washington didn’t report its staff figures; these are the Census Bureau’s estimates, so they aren’t compared with other towns.

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

St. Landry Parish School District

Washington’s K–12 school district, shared with Cankton, Grand Coteau, Krotz Springs, Leonville, Melville and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Washington →
$15,196
per pupil · LA $15,623
11,980
students
$29.9 million
long-term debt

Of the $15,196 per pupil, $8,317 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 27%State 38%Federal 35%

Louisiana districts overall: 47% local, 34% state, 19% federal.

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

Who represents Washington

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Washington.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Louisiana HouseState representatives
  3. 3
    Louisiana SenateState senator
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Louisiana

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

Reach Washington’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Washington’s government

How much does Washington spend per resident?

About $1,120 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,120 was more than 88% of 76 Louisiana cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Washington?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $254 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.30% of the typical home’s value, vs 0.55% across Louisiana. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the town’s assessor.

Who runs Washington’s government?

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

How many people work for Washington?

9 full-time and 10 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $32,797 (about $393,564 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Washington in the state legislature?

State Senate District 24 (Gerald Boudreaux) and State House District 40 (Dustin Miller). The House district also covers four other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Washington’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 →