Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0Newton spent more per resident in 2022 than 100% of similar cities
Newton’s city government spent $643 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $7,359 per resident. Water and other utilities ($23.3 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Newton is run
Read from the city’s budget, meetings and official records.
6 upcoming meetings at town hall
From Newton’s own agenda portal, checked daily. Agendas can change up to the meeting, so check before you go.
- Nov4Programs & Services CommitteeWednesday · 7:00 pm · Room 211Programs & Services Committee MeetingMeeting page ↗Add to calendar
- Nov4Public Facilities CommitteeWednesday · 7:00 pm · Room 204Public Facilities Committee MeetingMeeting page ↗Add to calendar
- Nov9Zoning & Planning CommitteeMonday · 7:00 pm · Room 204Zoning & Planning Committee MeetingMeeting page ↗Add to calendar
- Nov18Programs & Services CommitteeWednesday · 7:00 pm · Room 211Programs & Services Committee MeetingMeeting page ↗Add to calendar
- Nov23Zoning & Planning CommitteeMonday · 7:00 pm · Room 204Zoning & Planning Committee MeetingMeeting page ↗Add to calendar
- Dec2Public Facilities CommitteeWednesday · 7:00 pm · Room 204Public Facilities Committee MeetingMeeting page ↗Add to calendar
Recent meetings
- Nov2City CouncilMonday · 7:45 pm · Room 207 / City Council ChambersCity Council MeetingAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
- Oct26Zoning & Planning CommitteeMonday · 7:00 pm · Room 204Zoning & Planning Committee MeetingMeeting page ↗
- Oct21Programs & Services CommitteeWednesday · 7:00 pm · Room 211Programs & Services Committee MeetingMeeting page ↗
- Oct19GeneralMonday · 7:00 pm10-19-26 City Council MeetingAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
- Oct14Zoning & Planning CommitteeWednesday · 7:00 pm · Room 204Zoning & Planning Committee MeetingMeeting page ↗
Most meetings are open to the public, and many have a public comment period at the start.
Agenda portal ↗About $7,359 per resident a year, or $20.16 a day
Schools are part of the city’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 53% of day-to-day spending.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Newton 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.
$6,260 per resident in 2022: more than 100% of them
Newton’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($6,260 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 18 Massachusetts cities of 50,000–99,999 that run their own schools: the median was $4,216, and the middle half spent $3,909–$4,752. Newton spent more than 100% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($37 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; Newton itself left out).
Day-to-day spending is up 17% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Newton 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: $6,260 · 2023: $6,197 · 2024: $7,359.
full-time in March 2025, up from 2,920 in 2022. Both are Census estimates.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
Who’s in charge in Newton
From public records with a current term; a name is hidden the day its term ends.
Council members and agencies: newtonma.gov ↗
Typical bills top $10,000 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Newton’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 Newton’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Newton →
One full-time city employee for every 29 residents
On the payroll in March 2025, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (87,381).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2025
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Newton School District
Newton’s K–12 school district. The schools are run by Newton, so this money is part of the budget above.
Of the $28,219 per pupil, $17,913 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 Newton voted in 2024
Official results for Newton’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat78.0%36,445 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican18.6%8,699 votesOthers: 3.3% (1,558 votes).
Most votes in Newton: Kamala D Harris
Middlesex County: Harris 68.0%, Trump 28.9% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of Newton’s 64,291 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Newton: Elizabeth Ann Warren
Middlesex County: Warren 66.5%, Deaton 33.3% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%
Most votes in the district: Jake Auchincloss
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Newton, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | 78.0% | 18.6% | 3.3% | 46,702 |
| 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 Newton.
- 1Your cityMayorMarc Laredoas listed by Open States, October 9, 2026
- 2Massachusetts HouseNewton 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 Newton compares with the towns next door
Newton spent $6,260 per resident in 2022. Most of its neighbors are townships, a different kind of government, so the like-for-like comparison is with similar cities, above. 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 Newton’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Newton’s government
How much does Newton spend per resident?
About $7,359 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 $6,260 was more than 100% of 18 Massachusetts cities of 50,000–99,999 that run their own schools.
Who is the mayor of Newton?
Marc Laredo, as listed by Open States (checked October 9, 2026). The council and agencies are listed on newtonma.gov.
How did Newton vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 78.0%, Donald J Trump 18.6% (46,702 votes, official results). Middlesex County: Harris 68.0%, Trump 28.9%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for Newton?
2,979 full-time and 666 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $27.3M (about $328.1M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Newton in the state legislature?
Newton is split among 3 State House districts, so your address decides. The Massachusetts Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Its State Senate district is District Norfolk and Middlesex (Cynthia Creem). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
When is the next public meeting in Newton?
The next posted meeting is Programs & Services Committee on Wednesday, November 4, at 7:00 pm in Room 211, from the city’s own agenda portal.
Ask neighbors about Newton’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 →