Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domainNorton spent less per resident in 2022 than 72% of similar towns
Norton’s town government spent $76.8 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $3,845 per resident. Water and other utilities ($1.9 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Norton is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$3,845 per resident in 2022: less than 72% of them
Norton’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($3,845 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 $3,716–$5,278. Norton spent less than 72% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.4 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 towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Norton itself left out).
About $3,845 per resident a year, or $10.53 a day
Schools are part of the town’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 63% of day-to-day spending.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Norton 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.
No trend yet
Norton reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $5,929 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.18% 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 Norton’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 Norton’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Norton →
Who’s in charge in Norton
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Norton’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on nortonma.org ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 37 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 (19,983).
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.
Norton School District
Norton’s K–12 school district. The schools are run by Norton, so this money is part of the budget above.
Of the $20,573 per pupil, $13,514 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 Norton voted in 2024
Official results for Norton’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat50.0%5,319 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican47.3%5,028 votesOthers: 2.7% (283 votes).
Most votes in Norton: Kamala D Harris
Bristol County: Harris 49.6%, Trump 48.3% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of Norton’s 15,689 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Norton: John Deaton
Bristol County: Deaton 50.3%, Warren 49.6% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%
Most votes in the district: Jake Auchincloss
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Norton, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton | 50.0% | 47.3% | 2.7% | 10,630 |
| Bristol County | 49.6% | 48.3% | 2.2% | 278,017 |
| 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 Norton.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: nortonma.org ↗
- 2Massachusetts HouseNorton is split between 2 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 Norton compares with the towns next door
Norton spent $3,845 per resident in 2022; the 3 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $885 to $5,244. 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 Norton’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Norton’s government
How much does Norton spend per resident?
About $3,845 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 $3,845 was less than 72% of 75 Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Norton?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $5,929 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.18% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see nortonma.org.
Who runs Norton’s government?
See nortonma.org for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Norton yet.
How did Norton vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 50.0%, Donald J Trump 47.3% (10,630 votes, official results). Bristol County: Harris 49.6%, Trump 48.3%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for Norton?
542 full-time and 53 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $3.4M (about $40.3M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Norton in the state legislature?
Norton is split among 2 State House districts, so your address decides. The Massachusetts Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Its State Senate district is District Bristol and Norfolk (Paul Feeney). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Norton’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 →