Paxton spent more per resident in 2022 than 71% of similar towns
Paxton’s town government spent $8 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2023, about $1,597 per resident. Water and other utilities ($5.4 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Paxton is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$1,555 per resident in 2022: more than 71% of them
Paxton’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,555 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 48 Massachusetts towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,363, and the middle half spent $1,208–$1,619. Paxton spent more than 71% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($494,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Massachusetts towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Paxton itself left out).
About $1,597 per resident a year, or $4.38 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 14%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Day-to-day spending is up 3% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Paxton 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: $1,555 · 2023: $1,597.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
The typical homeowner pays $7,129 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.51% 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 Paxton’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 Paxton’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Paxton →
Who’s in charge in Paxton
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Paxton’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on townofpaxton.net ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 109 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2023 finance file (5,028).
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
Paxton’s K–12 school district, shared with Holden, 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 Paxton voted in 2024
Official results for Paxton’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat52.4%1,557 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican45.4%1,350 votesOthers: 2.2% (64 votes).
Most votes in Paxton: Kamala D Harris
Worcester County: Harris 53.6%, Trump 43.7% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of Paxton’s 4,041 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Paxton: John Deaton
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: Paxton, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paxton | 52.4% | 45.4% | 2.2% | 2,971 |
| 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 Paxton.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: townofpaxton.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 Paxton compares with the towns next door
Paxton spent $1,555 per resident in 2022; the 4 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $1,112 to $3,640. 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 Paxton’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Paxton’s government
How much does Paxton spend per resident?
About $1,597 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2023, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,555 was more than 71% of 48 Massachusetts towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Paxton?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $7,129 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.51% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see townofpaxton.net.
Who runs Paxton’s government?
See townofpaxton.net for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Paxton yet.
How did Paxton vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 52.4%, Donald J Trump 45.4% (2,971 votes, official results). Worcester County: Harris 53.6%, Trump 43.7%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for Paxton?
46 full-time and 55 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $359,193 (about $4.3M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Paxton 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 Paxton’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 →