Stony Brook-Factory Village Historic District · Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0Brewster spent less per resident in 2022 than 74% of similar towns
Brewster’s town government spent $33.3 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $3,408 per resident. That is its newest year reported to the Census Bureau. Water and other utilities ($1.8 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Brewster is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$3,408 per resident in 2022: less than 74% of them
Brewster’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($3,408 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 50 Massachusetts towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that run their own schools: the median was $4,188, and the middle half spent $3,400–$5,633. Brewster spent less than 74% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Massachusetts towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Brewster itself left out).
About $3,408 per resident a year, or $9.34 a day
Schools are part of the town’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 36% of day-to-day spending.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Brewster runs its own schools, so school spending is part of this budget. Comparisons are with Massachusetts towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that run their own schools.
No trend yet
Brewster reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau (2024 is an estimate), so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $4,397 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.62% 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 Brewster’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 Brewster’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Brewster →
Who’s in charge in Brewster
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Brewster’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on town.brewster.ma.us ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 42 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 (9,772).
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.
Nauset School District
Brewster’s middle and high school district, shared with Eastham, Orleans, Wellfleet. The schools are run by Brewster, so this money is part of the budget above.
Of the $33,784 per pupil, $18,046 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.
Brewster School District · $30,675 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Brewster voted in 2024
Official results for Brewster’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat65.8%4,776 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican32.2%2,337 votesOthers: 2.0% (147 votes).
Most votes in Brewster: Kamala D Harris
Barnstable County: Harris 59.2%, Trump 38.6% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of Brewster’s 8,976 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Brewster: Elizabeth Ann Warren
Barnstable County: Warren 55.3%, Deaton 44.6% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%
Most votes in the district: Bill Keating
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Brewster, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewster | 65.8% | 32.2% | 2.0% | 7,260 |
| Barnstable County | 59.2% | 38.6% | 2.2% | 148,785 |
| 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 Brewster.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: town.brewster.ma.us ↗
- 2Massachusetts HouseState representatives
- 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 Brewster compares with the towns next door
Brewster spent $3,408 per resident in 2022; the 3 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $2,627 to $5,050. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
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 Brewster’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Brewster’s government
How much does Brewster spend per resident?
About $3,408 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 $3,408 was less than 74% of 50 Massachusetts towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Brewster?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $4,397 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.62% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see town.brewster.ma.us.
Who runs Brewster’s government?
See town.brewster.ma.us for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Brewster yet.
How did Brewster vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 65.8%, Donald J Trump 32.2% (7,260 votes, official results). Barnstable County: Harris 59.2%, Trump 38.6%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for Brewster?
230 full-time and 60 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $1.6M (about $18.6M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Brewster in the state legislature?
State Senate District Cape and Islands (Julian Cyr) and State House District 1st Barnstable (Chris Flanagan). The House district also covers two neighboring towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Brewster’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 →