Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Hardwick

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
WareRiverCoverBridgePhoto: en:User:LymanSchool (Richard B. Johnson) · CC BY-SA 3.0
Town Hall · Hardwick

Hardwick spent less per resident in 2022 than 96% of similar towns

Hardwick’s town government spent $7.5 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $2,473 per resident.

Town website
Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in Massachusetts.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$7.5M
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$2,473
In 2022: $2,473, less than 96% of 50 similar towns
Long-term debt
$1.3M
end of FY2022, reported
Town staff, 2022
17
full-time · 60 part-time · March payroll $175,592 · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$4,400
1.27% of home value · MA 1.07%

What stands out about how Hardwick is run

Read from the town’s budget and official records.

Compared with similar places

$2,473 per resident in 2022: less than 96% of them

Hardwick’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($2,473 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 $3,428–$5,633. Hardwick spent less than 96% of them.

Middle half of the group, $3,428–$5,633Median $4,188Hardwick

Includes sewer and trash ($496,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
50

Massachusetts towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Hardwick itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $2,473 per resident a year, or $6.78 a day

Schools are part of the town’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 35% of day-to-day spending.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 56%From the state 15%Interest, fines & other 10%Fees & charges 9%From the federal government 6%From other local governments 2%Sales taxes 1%Other taxes & licenses 1%Utility sales <1%
Schools included

Hardwick 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.

Not in the receipt.Building projects $2.2 million; interest on debt $86,000; payments to other governments $316,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $10.1 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

Hardwick reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $4,400 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.27% of the home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Massachusetts$5,992
New Braintree$5,508
Petersham$4,636
Hardwick$4,400
Ware$4,237
$4,400
typical bill a year
1.27%
effective rate
$346,700
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Hardwick

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

See townofhardwick.com for Hardwick’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Hardwick yet.townofhardwick.com ↗
Agendas

Hardwick’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on townofhardwick.com ↗.

Who works for Hardwick

One full-time town employee for every 179 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 (3,047).

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

Police5 + 14 pt
Administration & buildings6 + 7 pt
Fire0 + 18 pt
Sewer & trash2 + 8 pt
Roads & transportation4 + 2 pt
Health & welfare0 + 4 pt
Parks & libraries0 + 2 pt
Other0 + 5 pt
17
full-time
60
part-time
$175,592
payroll for March 2022
$2.1M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$84,700
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
5
sworn police officers
Estimates.Hardwick didn’t report its staff figures; these are the Census Bureau’s estimates, so they aren’t compared with other towns.

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

Quabbin School District

Hardwick’s K–12 school district, shared with Barre, Hubbardston, New Braintree, Oakham. The schools are run by Hardwick, so this money is part of the budget above.

Schools in Hardwick →
$20,660
per pupil · MA $26,530
2,168
students
$315,000
long-term debt

Of the $20,660 per pupil, $11,280 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 45%State 47%Federal 7%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

How Hardwick voted in 2024

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

President1,571 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican53.1%834 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat44.9%706 votes

Others: 2.0% (31 votes).

Most votes in Hardwick: Donald J Trump

Worcester County: Harris 53.6%, Trump 43.7% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%

Turnout
74%

of Hardwick’s 2,114 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.

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

U.S. Senate1,554 votes
John DeatonRepublican56.8%
Elizabeth Ann WarrenDemocrat43.2%

Most votes in Hardwick: John Deaton

Worcester County: Warren 51.9%, Deaton 48.0% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%

U.S. House · Massachusetts’s 2nd District366,328 votes
James P Mc GovernDemocrat68.6%
Cornelius Shea31.1%
Others0.2%

Most votes in the district: James P Mc Govern

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Hardwick, its county and the state

TrumpHarrisOthersVotes
Hardwick53.1%44.9%2.0%1,571
Worcester County43.7%53.6%2.7%420,841
Massachusetts36.0%61.2%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 Hardwick

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Hardwick.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
  2. 2
    Massachusetts HouseState representatives
  3. 3
    Massachusetts SenateState senator
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Massachusetts

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

Next door

How Hardwick compares with the towns next door

Hardwick spent $2,473 per resident in 2022; the 3 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $1,212 to $4,014. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
New Braintree$1,212$5,508
Petersham$3,622 runs schools$4,636
Ware$4,014 runs schools$4,237
Hardwick$2,473$4,400

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 Hardwick’s government

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

The Handbook →

Questions about Hardwick’s government

How much does Hardwick spend per resident?

About $2,473 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 $2,473 was less than 96% of 50 Massachusetts towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Hardwick?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $4,400 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.27% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see townofhardwick.com.

Who runs Hardwick’s government?

See townofhardwick.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Hardwick yet.

How did Hardwick vote in 2024?

For president, Donald J Trump 53.1%, Kamala D Harris 44.9% (1,571 votes, official results). Worcester County: Harris 53.6%, Trump 43.7%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.

How many people work for Hardwick?

17 full-time and 60 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $175,592 (about $2.1M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Hardwick in the state legislature?

State Senate District Worcester and Hampshire (Peter Durant) and State House District 5th Worcester (Donnie Berthiaume). The House district also covers 11 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Hardwick’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 →