Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0Malden spent less per resident in 2022 than 94% of similar cities
Malden’s city government spent $269.8 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $4,169 per resident. Water and other utilities ($29.8 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Malden is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
Who’s in charge in Malden
From public records with a current term; a name is hidden the day its term ends.
Council members and agencies: cityofmalden.org ↗
Malden’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on cityofmalden.org ↗.
About $4,169 per resident a year, or $11.42 a day
Schools are part of the city’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 55% of day-to-day spending.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Malden runs its own schools, so school spending is part of this budget. Comparisons are with Massachusetts cities of 50,000–99,999 that run their own schools.
$3,258 per resident in 2022: less than 94% of them
Malden’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($3,258 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 18 Massachusetts cities of 50,000–99,999 that run their own schools: the median was $4,282, and the middle half spent $3,970–$4,965. Malden spent less than 94% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($3.8 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 cities of 50,000–99,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Malden itself left out).
Day-to-day spending is up 38% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Malden 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: $3,258 · 2023: $3,252 · 2024: $4,169. Per resident it went from $3,258 to $4,169 (up 28%), partly because the Census population behind it changed from 59,922 to 64,712.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
The typical homeowner pays $4,995 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.79% 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 Malden’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 Malden’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Malden →
One full-time city employee for every 50 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (64,712).
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.
Malden School District
Malden’s K–12 school district. The schools are run by Malden, so this money is part of the budget above.
Of the $21,073 per pupil, $13,351 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 Malden voted in 2024
Official results for Malden’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat67.7%15,327 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican28.5%6,443 votesOthers: 3.8% (855 votes).
Most votes in Malden: Kamala D Harris
Middlesex County: Harris 68.0%, Trump 28.9% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of Malden’s 41,709 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Malden: Elizabeth Ann Warren
Middlesex County: Warren 66.5%, Deaton 33.3% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%
Most votes in the district: Katherine M Clark
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Malden, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malden | 67.7% | 28.5% | 3.8% | 22,625 |
| Middlesex County | 68.0% | 28.9% | 3.1% | 814,832 |
| 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 Malden.
- 1Your cityMayorGary Christensonas listed by Open States, October 9, 2026
- 2Massachusetts HouseMalden is split between 3 districts
- 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 Malden compares with the towns next door
Malden spent $3,258 per resident in 2022; the 4 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $3,184 to $5,495. 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 Malden’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Malden’s government
How much does Malden spend per resident?
About $4,169 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $3,258 was less than 94% of 18 Massachusetts cities of 50,000–99,999 that run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Malden?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $4,995 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.79% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see cityofmalden.org.
Who is the mayor of Malden?
Gary Christenson, as listed by Open States (checked October 9, 2026). The council and agencies are listed on cityofmalden.org.
How did Malden vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 67.7%, Donald J Trump 28.5% (22,625 votes, official results). Middlesex County: Harris 68.0%, Trump 28.9%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for Malden?
1,296 full-time and 202 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $8.6M (about $103.1M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Malden in the state legislature?
Malden is split among 3 State House districts, so your address decides. The Massachusetts Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Its State Senate district is District Fifth Middlesex (Jason Lewis). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Malden’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 →