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Nobska Lighthouse 1Photo: T.S. Custadio aka ToddC4176 at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Town Hall · Falmouth

How is Falmouth run?

Falmouth’s town government spent $159.4 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2023, about $4,810 per resident. Water and other utilities ($3.3 million) are counted separately.

Town website
Next public meeting

Select Board

6:00 pm · Senior Center, 780 Main Street

All meetings →
Day-to-day spending, 2023
$159.4M
year to June 30, 2023
Per resident, 2023
$4,810
In 2022: $4,510, less than 57% of 30 similar towns
Long-term debt
$110.1M
end of FY2023, reported
Town staff, 2022
1,023
full-time · 84 part-time · March payroll $6.6M
Typical tax bill
$3,750
0.60% of home value · MA 1.07%

What stands out about how Falmouth is run

Read from the town’s budget, meetings and official records.

Agendas posted online5 upcoming meetings posted, with agendas.Runs its own schoolsThe schools are part of the town budget, not a separate district.Split between districts2 State House districts cover Falmouth; your street decides yours.Its own police and fire66 sworn officers and 69 full-time firefighters on the payroll.
★ What stands out · Meetings

5 upcoming meetings at town hall

From Falmouth’s own agenda portal, checked daily. Agendas can change up to the meeting, so check before you go.

Recent meetings

Go in person

Most meetings are open to the public, and many have a public comment period at the start.

Agenda portal ↗
Your share of the 2023 budget

About $4,810 per resident a year, or $13.18 a day

Schools are part of the town’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 53% of day-to-day spending.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 67%From the state 12%Interest, fines & other 5%Utility sales 5%Fees & charges 3%Sales taxes 3%From the federal government 3%Other taxes & licenses 2%From other local governments 1%
Schools included

Falmouth runs its own schools, so school spending is part of this budget. Comparisons are with Massachusetts towns and townships of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools.

Not in the receipt.Building projects $19.2 million; interest on debt $3.4 million; payments to other governments $4.5 million. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $190.1 million.
Compared with similar places

$4,510 per resident in 2022, close to the middle of similar towns

Falmouth’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($4,510 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 30 Massachusetts towns and townships of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools: the median was $4,591, and the middle half spent $4,076–$5,138. Falmouth spent less than 57% of them.

Middle half of the group, $4,076–$5,138Median $4,591Falmouth

Includes sewer and trash ($5.7 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 →

The group
30

Massachusetts towns and townships of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Falmouth itself left out).

Over the years

Day-to-day spending is up 14% since 2022

Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Falmouth reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.

Day-to-day spending by fiscal year

2022$140.3 million
2023$159.4 million

Per resident: 2022: $4,510 · 2023: $4,810. Per resident it went from $4,510 to $4,810 (up 7%), partly because the Census population behind it changed from 31,107 to 33,128.

Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $3,750 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.60% of the home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Seconsett Island$10,000+
Massachusetts$5,992
Woods Hole$5,818
West Falmouth$5,459
Seabrook$5,328
North Falmouth$4,702
Bourne$4,485
Mashpee$3,762
Falmouth$3,750
East Falmouth$3,544
$3,750
typical bill a year
0.60%
effective rate
$629,900
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Falmouth

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

See falmouthmass.us for Falmouth’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Falmouth yet.falmouthmass.us ↗
Who works for Falmouth

One full-time town employee for every 32 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 (33,128).

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

Schools675 + 73 pt
Fire74 + 2 pt
Police71 + 1 pt
Administration & buildings45
Parks & libraries39 + 6 pt
Roads & transportation34
Health & welfare19 + 1 pt
Water & other utilities18
Sewer & trash14
Courts, inspections & corrections1
Other33 + 1 pt
1,023
full-time
84
part-time
$6.6M
payroll for March 2022
$79.4M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$76,100
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
66
sworn police officers
69
full-time firefighters
Compared, 2022.Falmouth had 32.9 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 18 of the 30 Massachusetts towns and townships of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 29.4: Falmouth had more than 78% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

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

Falmouth School District

Falmouth’s K–12 school district. The schools are run by Falmouth, so this money is part of the budget above.

Schools in Falmouth →
$27,723
per pupil · MA $26,530
2,892
students
None
long-term debt

Of the $27,723 per pupil, $16,451 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 74%State 22%Federal 4%

Massachusetts districts overall: 49% local, 43% state, 8% federal.

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

Elections · 2024 general election

How Falmouth voted in 2024

Official results for Falmouth’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.

President22,014 votes · results as certified
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat62.4%13,744 votes
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican35.4%7,786 votes

Others: 2.2% (484 votes).

Most votes in Falmouth: Kamala D Harris

Barnstable County: Harris 59.2%, Trump 38.6% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%

Turnout
83%

of Falmouth’s 26,497 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.

Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).

U.S. Senate21,696 votes
Elizabeth Ann WarrenDemocrat58.4%
John DeatonRepublican41.4%
Others0.2%

Most votes in Falmouth: Elizabeth Ann Warren

Barnstable County: Warren 55.3%, Deaton 44.6% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%

U.S. House · Massachusetts’s 9th District446,395 votes
Bill KeatingDemocrat56.4%
Dan SullivanRepublican43.4%
Others0.1%

Most votes in the district: Bill Keating

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Falmouth, its county and the state

HarrisTrumpOthersVotes
Falmouth62.4%35.4%2.2%22,014
Barnstable County59.2%38.6%2.2%148,785
Massachusetts61.2%36.0%2.8%3,473,668
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

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.

Who represents Falmouth

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Falmouth.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
    Officials: falmouthmass.us ↗
  2. 2
    Massachusetts HouseFalmouth is split between 2 districts
    Dave VieiraThomas Moakley
  3. 3
    Massachusetts SenateState senator
    Dylan Fernandes
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Maura Healey
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    William R. Keating
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Massachusetts
    Elizabeth WarrenEdward J. Markey
Find your state legislators by address ↗

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

Next door

How Falmouth compares with the towns next door

Falmouth spent $4,510 per resident in 2022; the 3 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $1,960 to $5,151. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

East Falmouth: unincorporated, no town budgetMashpee: $5,151 per resident (2022)Woods Hole: unincorporated, no town budgetSeabrook: unincorporated, no town budgetNorth Falmouth: unincorporated, no town budgetSeconsett Island: unincorporated, no town budgetBourne: $4,328 per resident (2022)Teaticket: unincorporated, no town budgetGosnold: $1,960 per resident (2022)West Falmouth: unincorporated, no town budgetEast FalmouthMashpeeWoods HoleSeabrookNorth FalmouthSeconsett IslandBourneTeaticketGosnoldWest FalmouthFalmouth
Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Gosnold$1,960 runs schools$2,667
Bourne$4,328 runs schools$4,485
Mashpee$5,151 runs schools$3,762
Falmouth$4,510$3,750

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 Falmouth’s government

The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.

The Handbook →
Official websitefalmouthmass.us ↗

Questions about Falmouth’s government

How much does Falmouth spend per resident?

About $4,810 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 $4,510 was less than 57% of 30 Massachusetts towns and townships of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Falmouth?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $3,750 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.60% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see falmouthmass.us.

Who runs Falmouth’s government?

See falmouthmass.us for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Falmouth yet.

How did Falmouth vote in 2024?

For president, Kamala D Harris 62.4%, Donald J Trump 35.4% (22,014 votes, official results). Barnstable County: Harris 59.2%, Trump 38.6%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.

How many people work for Falmouth?

1,023 full-time and 84 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $6.6M (about $79.4M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Falmouth in the state legislature?

Falmouth is split among 2 State House districts, so your address decides. The Massachusetts Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Its State Senate district is District Plymouth and Barnstable (Dylan Fernandes). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

When is the next public meeting in Falmouth?

The next posted meeting is Select Board on Monday, November 23, at 6:00 pm in Senior Center, 780 Main Street, from the town’s own agenda portal.

Ask neighbors about Falmouth’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 →