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Leicester Town HallPhoto: Pvmoutside at English Wikipedia · Public domain
Town Hall · Leicester

Leicester spent less per resident in 2022 than 77% of similar towns

Leicester’s town government spent $41 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $3,640 per resident.

Town website
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$41.0M
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$3,640
In 2022: $3,640, less than 77% of 75 similar towns
Long-term debt
$8.1M
end of FY2022, reported
Town staff, 2022
276
full-time · 97 part-time · March payroll $1.7M
Typical tax bill
$4,452
1.08% of home value · MA 1.07%

What stands out about how Leicester is run

Read from the town’s budget and official records.

Compared with similar places

$3,640 per resident in 2022: less than 77% of them

Leicester’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($3,640 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 75 Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools: the median was $4,576, and the middle half spent $3,786–$5,278. Leicester spent less than 77% of them.

Middle half of the group, $3,786–$5,278Median $4,576Leicester

Includes sewer and trash ($2,000), 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
75

Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Leicester itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $3,640 per resident a year, or $9.97 a day

Schools are part of the town’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 63% of day-to-day spending.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 46%From the state 35%From the federal government 10%Interest, fines & other 4%Fees & charges 2%Sales taxes 1%Other taxes & licenses 1%From other local governments 1%
Schools included

Leicester runs its own schools, so school spending is part of this budget. Comparisons are with Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools.

Not in the receipt.Building projects $20.9 million; interest on debt $293,000; payments to other governments $2.4 million. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $64.6 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $4,452 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.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Paxton$7,129
Massachusetts$5,992
Auburn$5,289
Leicester$4,452
$4,452
typical bill a year
1.08%
effective rate
$413,100
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Leicester

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

See leicesterma.org for Leicester’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Leicester yet.leicesterma.org ↗
Agendas

Leicester’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on leicesterma.org ↗.

Who works for Leicester

One full-time town employee for every 41 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 (11,272).

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

Schools212 + 31 pt
Fire2 + 38 pt
Police19 + 3 pt
Health & welfare10 + 20 pt
Administration & buildings17
Roads & transportation14
Parks & libraries2 + 4 pt
Other0 + 1 pt
276
full-time
97
part-time
$1.7M
payroll for March 2022
$20.0M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$67,600
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
18
sworn police officers
2
full-time firefighters
Compared, 2022.Leicester had 24.5 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 47 of the 75 Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 28.2: Leicester had fewer than 79% 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

Leicester School District

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

Schools in Leicester →
$20,056
per pupil · MA $26,530
1,322
students
None
long-term debt

Of the $20,056 per pupil, $11,708 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 41%State 51%Federal 8%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

How Leicester voted in 2024

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

President6,278 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican52.7%3,310 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat45.0%2,822 votes

Others: 2.3% (146 votes).

Most votes in Leicester: Donald J Trump

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

Turnout
73%

of Leicester’s 8,659 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.

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

U.S. Senate6,249 votes
John DeatonRepublican57.2%
Elizabeth Ann WarrenDemocrat42.7%
Others0.1%

Most votes in Leicester: 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: Leicester, its county and the state

TrumpHarrisOthersVotes
Leicester52.7%45.0%2.3%6,278
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 Leicester

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Leicester.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
  2. 2
    Massachusetts HouseLeicester is split between 3 districts
  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 Leicester compares with the towns next door

Leicester spent $3,640 per resident in 2022; the 2 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $1,555 to $4,239. 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
Paxton$1,555$7,129
Auburn$4,239 runs schools$5,289
Leicester$3,640$4,452

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 Leicester’s government

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

The Handbook →

Questions about Leicester’s government

How much does Leicester spend per resident?

About $3,640 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 $3,640 was less than 77% of 75 Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Leicester?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $4,452 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 leicesterma.org.

Who runs Leicester’s government?

See leicesterma.org for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Leicester yet.

How did Leicester vote in 2024?

For president, Donald J Trump 52.7%, Kamala D Harris 45.0% (6,278 votes, official results). Worcester County: Harris 53.6%, Trump 43.7%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.

How many people work for Leicester?

276 full-time and 97 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $1.7M (about $20.0M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Leicester in the state legislature?

Leicester is split among 3 State House districts, so your address decides. The Massachusetts Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Its State Senate district is District Worcester and Hampshire (Peter Durant). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Leicester’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 →