West Dennis Graded School · Photo: Thomas Kelley from Boston, MA · CC BY-SA 2.0Dennis spent more per resident in 2022 than 100% of similar towns
Dennis’ town government spent $44.2 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2023, about $2,966 per resident.
What stands out about how Dennis is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$2,862 per resident in 2022: more than 100% of them
Dennis’ day-to-day spending in 2022 ($2,862 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 $1,362, and the middle half spent $1,178–$1,616. Dennis spent more than 100% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.5 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; Dennis itself left out).
About $2,966 per resident a year, or $8.13 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: fire, at 15%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Day-to-day spending is up 11% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Dennis 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: $2,862 · 2023: $2,966. Per resident it went from $2,862 to $2,966 (up 4%), partly because the Census population behind it changed from 13,890 to 14,903.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
The typical homeowner pays $2,877 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.46% 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 Dennis’ 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 Dennis’ Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Dennis →
Who’s in charge in Dennis
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Dennis’ meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on town.dennis.ma.us ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 73 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 2023 finance file (14,903).
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.
Dennis-Yarmouth School District
Dennis’ K–12 school district, shared with Yarmouth. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $26,504 per pupil, $17,417 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 Dennis voted in 2024
Official results for Dennis’ own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat56.9%5,809 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican40.9%4,178 votesOthers: 2.2% (221 votes).
Most votes in Dennis: Kamala D Harris
Barnstable County: Harris 59.2%, Trump 38.6% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of Dennis’ 12,999 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Dennis: 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: Dennis, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis | 56.9% | 40.9% | 2.2% | 10,208 |
| 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 Dennis.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: town.dennis.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 Dennis compares with the towns next door
Dennis spent $2,862 per resident in 2022; the 3 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $2,133 to $3,408. 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 Dennis’ government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Dennis’ government
How much does Dennis spend per resident?
About $2,966 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 $2,862 was more than 100% 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 Dennis?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,877 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.46% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see town.dennis.ma.us.
Who runs Dennis’ government?
See town.dennis.ma.us for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Dennis yet.
How did Dennis vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 56.9%, Donald J Trump 40.9% (10,208 votes, official results). Barnstable County: Harris 59.2%, Trump 38.6%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for Dennis?
205 full-time and 37 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $1.7M (about $20.3M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Dennis 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 Dennis’ 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 →