Photo: Terageorge~commonswiki · CC BY-SA 4.0Holden spent less per resident in 2022 than 87% of similar towns
Holden’s town government spent $21.4 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,112 per resident. Water and other utilities ($22.3 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Holden is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$1,112 per resident in 2022: less than 87% of them
Holden’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,112 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 $1,251–$1,712. Holden spent less than 87% 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 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Holden itself left out).
About $1,112 per resident a year, or $3.05 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 17%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Holden reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $6,359 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.35% 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 Holden’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 Holden’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Holden →
Who’s in charge in Holden
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Holden’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on townofholden.net ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 135 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (19,259).
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.
Wachusett School District
Holden’s K–12 school district, shared with Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $18,540 per pupil, $12,227 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 Holden voted in 2024
Official results for Holden’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat55.7%6,911 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican42.1%5,222 votesOthers: 2.2% (275 votes).
Most votes in Holden: Kamala D Harris
Worcester County: Harris 53.6%, Trump 43.7% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of Holden’s 14,330 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Holden: Elizabeth Ann Warren
Worcester County: Warren 51.9%, Deaton 48.0% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%
Most votes in the district: James P Mc Govern
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Holden, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holden | 55.7% | 42.1% | 2.2% | 12,408 |
| Worcester County | 53.6% | 43.7% | 2.7% | 420,841 |
| 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 Holden.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: townofholden.net ↗
- 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 Holden compares with the towns next door
Holden spent $1,112 per resident in 2022; the 5 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $1,364 to $4,213. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Rutland | $1,364 | $5,657 |
| Princeton | $1,374 | $6,633 |
| Paxton | $1,555 | $7,129 |
| Sterling | $1,653 | $6,757 |
| West Boylston | $4,213 runs schools | $6,115 |
| Holden | $1,112 | $6,359 |
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 Holden’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Holden’s government
How much does Holden spend per resident?
About $1,112 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 $1,112 was less than 87% 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 Holden?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $6,359 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.35% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see townofholden.net.
Who runs Holden’s government?
See townofholden.net for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Holden yet.
How did Holden vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 55.7%, Donald J Trump 42.1% (12,408 votes, official results). Worcester County: Harris 53.6%, Trump 43.7%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for Holden?
143 full-time and 104 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $1.1M (about $13.7M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Holden in the state legislature?
State Senate District Worcester and Hampshire (Peter Durant) and State House District 1st Worcester (Kim Ferguson). The House district also covers four other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Holden’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 →