Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domainCharlton spent less per resident in 2022 than 67% of similar towns
Charlton’s town government spent $18.3 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2023, about $1,373 per resident.
What stands out about how Charlton is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$1,285 per resident in 2022: less than 67% of them
Charlton’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,285 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 15 Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,380, and the middle half spent $1,178–$1,712. Charlton spent less than 67% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.1 million), 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 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Charlton itself left out).
About $1,373 per resident a year, or $3.76 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 16%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Day-to-day spending is up 4% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Charlton reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.
Day-to-day spending by fiscal year
Per resident: 2022: $1,285 · 2023: $1,373.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
The typical homeowner pays $4,617 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.08% 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 Charlton’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 Charlton’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Charlton →
Who’s in charge in Charlton
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Charlton’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on townofcharlton.net ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 139 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2023 finance file (13,317).
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.
Dudley-Charlton Regional School District
Charlton’s K–12 school district, shared with Dudley. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $18,893 per pupil, $11,611 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 Charlton voted in 2024
Official results for Charlton’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican55.1%4,519 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat42.6%3,494 votesOthers: 2.4% (193 votes).
Most votes in Charlton: Donald J Trump
Worcester County: Harris 53.6%, Trump 43.7% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of Charlton’s 10,111 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Charlton: John Deaton
Worcester County: Warren 51.9%, Deaton 48.0% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%
Most votes in the district: Richard E Neal
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Charlton, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlton | 55.1% | 42.6% | 2.4% | 8,206 |
| Worcester County | 43.7% | 53.6% | 2.7% | 420,841 |
| Massachusetts | 36.0% | 61.2% | 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 Charlton.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: townofcharlton.net ↗
- 2Massachusetts HouseCharlton is split between 2 districts
- 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 Charlton compares with the towns next door
Charlton spent $1,285 per resident in 2022; the 5 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $1,348 to $3,962. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| East Brookfield | $1,348 | $4,430 |
| Spencer | $2,021 runs schools | $4,387 |
| Southbridge Town | $3,611 runs schools | $4,400 |
| Oxford | $3,656 runs schools | $4,622 |
| Sturbridge | $3,962 runs schools | $6,520 |
| Charlton | $1,285 | $4,617 |
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 Charlton’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Charlton’s government
How much does Charlton spend per resident?
About $1,373 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2023, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,285 was less than 67% of 15 Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Charlton?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $4,617 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.08% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see townofcharlton.net.
Who runs Charlton’s government?
See townofcharlton.net for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Charlton yet.
How did Charlton vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 55.1%, Kamala D Harris 42.6% (8,206 votes, official results). Worcester County: Harris 53.6%, Trump 43.7%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for Charlton?
96 full-time and 40 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $710,503 (about $8.5M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Charlton in the state legislature?
Charlton is split among 2 State House districts, so your address decides. The Massachusetts Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Its State Senate district is District Worcester and Hampden (Ryan Fattman). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Charlton’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 →