Photo: ToddC4176 · CC BY-SA 3.0Bernardston spent less per resident in 2022 than 94% of similar towns
Bernardston’s town government spent $2.8 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,333 per resident.
What stands out about how Bernardston is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$1,333 per resident in 2022: less than 94% of them
Bernardston’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,333 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 34 Massachusetts towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $2,141, and the middle half spent $1,670–$2,676. Bernardston spent less than 94% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($144,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Massachusetts towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Bernardston itself left out).
About $1,333 per resident a year, or $3.65 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 35%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Bernardston reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $4,516 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.36% of the home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Bernardston’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 Bernardston’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Bernardston →
Who’s in charge in Bernardston
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Bernardston’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on townofbernardston.org ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 261 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (2,089).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Pioneer Valley School District
Bernardston’s K–12 school district, shared with Leyden, Northfield. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $28,154 per pupil, $14,873 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.
Massachusetts districts overall: 49% local, 43% state, 8% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Bernardston voted in 2024
Official results for Bernardston’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat62.5%878 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican34.9%491 votesOthers: 2.6% (36 votes).
Most votes in Bernardston: Kamala D Harris
Franklin County: Harris 67.0%, Trump 29.4% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of Bernardston’s 1,779 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Bernardston: Elizabeth Ann Warren
Franklin County: Warren 66.9%, Deaton 32.9% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%
Most votes in the district: James P Mc Govern
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Bernardston, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernardston | 62.5% | 34.9% | 2.6% | 1,405 |
| Franklin County | 67.0% | 29.4% | 3.6% | 42,248 |
| Massachusetts | 61.2% | 36.0% | 2.8% | 3,473,668 |
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 Bernardston.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: townofbernardston.org ↗
- 2Massachusetts HouseState representativesDistrict 1st Franklin
- 3Massachusetts SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Massachusetts
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How Bernardston compares with the towns next door
Bernardston spent $1,333 per resident in 2022; the 3 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $1,470 to $4,146. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Gill | $1,470 | $4,318 |
| Leyden | $1,798 | $4,651 |
| Greenfield | $4,146 runs schools | $4,769 |
| Bernardston | $1,333 | $4,516 |
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 Bernardston’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Bernardston’s government
How much does Bernardston spend per resident?
About $1,333 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 $1,333 was less than 94% of 34 Massachusetts towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Bernardston?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $4,516 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.36% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see townofbernardston.org.
Who runs Bernardston’s government?
See townofbernardston.org for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Bernardston yet.
How did Bernardston vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 62.5%, Donald J Trump 34.9% (1,405 votes, official results). Franklin County: Harris 67.0%, Trump 29.4%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for Bernardston?
8 full-time and 25 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $68,867 (about $826,404 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Bernardston in the state legislature?
State Senate District Hampshire-Franklin-Worcester (Jo Comerford) and State House District 1st Franklin. The House district also covers 17 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Bernardston’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 →