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Main Street Watertown MA 2Photo: IFCAR · Public domain
Town Hall · Watertown

Watertown spent less per resident in 2022 than 68% of similar cities

Watertown’s city government spent $143.5 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $3,974 per resident. Water and other utilities ($5.6 million) are counted separately.

Town website
Next public meeting

City Council: Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee

4:30 pm · 124 Orchard Street or virtual

All meetings →
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$143.5M
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$3,974
In 2022: $3,974, less than 68% of 22 similar cities
Long-term debt
$159.1M
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
618
full-time · 187 part-time · March payroll $4.4M · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$6,799
0.87% of home value · MA 1.07%

What stands out about how Watertown is run

Read from the city’s budget, meetings and official records.

Agendas posted online6 upcoming meetings posted, with agendas.Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $3,974 per resident, less than 68% of 22 similar cities.Runs its own schoolsThe schools are part of the city budget, not a separate district.Its own police and fire79 sworn officers and 90 full-time firefighters on the payroll.
★ What stands out · Meetings

6 upcoming meetings at town hall

From Watertown’s own agenda portal, checked daily. Agendas can change up to the meeting, so check before you go.

Recent meetings

  • Oct29
    Developer Community MeetingThursday · 6:30 pm · Parker Building, Community Meeting Room 2E, 124 Watertown StDeveloper Community Meeting - 9 Galen StAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
  • Oct28
    Traffic CommissionWednesday · 7:30 pm · 149 Main Street, 3rd Floor Conference RoomAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
  • Oct28
    Zoning BoardWednesday · 7:00 pmZoning Board of AppealsAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
  • Oct27
    City CouncilTuesday · 6:30 pm · 149 Main Street, Mastrangelo Council ChambersCity Council MeetingAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
  • Oct27
    Board of AssessorsTuesday · 9:30 am · 149 Main Street, Louis P. Andrews Upper Conference Room (3rd Floor)One Time EventAgenda ↗Meeting page ↗
Go in person

Most meetings are open to the public, and many have a public comment period at the start.

Agenda portal ↗
Your share of the 2022 budget

About $3,974 per resident a year, or $10.89 a day

Schools are part of the city’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 53% of day-to-day spending.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 66%Fees & charges 13%From the state 9%From the federal government 5%Utility sales 4%Interest, fines & other 2%Sales taxes 1%Other taxes & licenses <1%From other local governments <1%
Schools included

Watertown runs its own schools, so school spending is part of this budget. Comparisons are with Massachusetts cities of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools.

Not in the receipt.Building projects $69.1 million; interest on debt $4.7 million; payments to other governments $4 million. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $227 million.
Compared with similar places

$3,974 per resident in 2022: less than 68% of them

Watertown’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($3,974 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 22 Massachusetts cities of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools: the median was $4,238, and the middle half spent $3,816–$4,686. Watertown spent less than 68% of them.

Middle half of the group, $3,816–$4,686Median $4,238Watertown

Includes sewer and trash ($11.2 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 →

The group
22

Massachusetts cities of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Watertown itself left out).

Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $6,799 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.87% of the home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Newton$10,000+
Belmont$10,000+
Watertown$6,799
Massachusetts$5,992
Cambridge$4,802
Waltham$4,766
Boston$4,456
$6,799
typical bill a year
0.87%
effective rate
$784,600
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Watertown

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

See watertown-ma.gov for Watertown’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Watertown yet.watertown-ma.gov ↗
Who works for Watertown

One full-time city employee for every 58 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 2022 finance file (36,125).

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

Schools327 + 87 pt
Police83 + 26 pt
Fire92
Parks & libraries30 + 54 pt
Administration & buildings47 + 12 pt
Water & other utilities12
Health & welfare10 + 3 pt
Roads & transportation8
Sewer & trash5 + 1 pt
Other4 + 4 pt
618
full-time
187
part-time
$4.4M
payroll for March 2022
$53.2M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$82,300
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
79
sworn police officers
90
full-time firefighters
Estimates.Watertown didn’t report its staff figures; these are the Census Bureau’s estimates, so they aren’t compared with other towns.

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

Watertown School District

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

Schools in Watertown →
$28,247
per pupil · MA $26,530
2,717
students
None
long-term debt

Of the $28,247 per pupil, $17,367 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 77%State 18%Federal 5%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

How Watertown voted in 2024

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

President18,031 votes · results as certified
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat75.1%13,539 votes
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican21.4%3,864 votes

Others: 3.5% (628 votes).

Most votes in Watertown: Kamala D Harris

Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%

Turnout
67%

of Watertown’s 26,866 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.

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

U.S. Senate17,770 votes
Elizabeth Ann WarrenDemocrat75.4%
John DeatonRepublican24.6%
Others0.0%

Most votes in Watertown: Elizabeth Ann Warren

Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%

President, 2024: Watertown, the state

HarrisTrumpOthersVotes
Watertown75.1%21.4%3.5%18,031
Massachusetts61.2%36.0%2.8%3,473,668

Watertown is not one county, so there is no single county to set beside it; its result is theirs combined.

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.

Next door

How Watertown compares with the towns next door

Watertown spent $3,974 per resident in 2022; the 5 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $4,506 to $6,260. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

Newton: $6,260 per resident (2022)Boston: $6,049 per resident (2022)Belmont: $5,010 per resident (2022)Cambridge: $4,730 per resident (2022)Waltham: $4,506 per resident (2022)NewtonBostonBelmontCambridgeWalthamWatertown
Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Waltham$4,506 runs schools$4,766
Cambridge$4,730 runs schools$4,802
Belmont$5,010 runs schools$10,000+
Boston$6,049 runs schools$4,456
Newton$6,260 runs schools$10,000+
Watertown$3,974$6,799

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 Watertown’s government

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

The Handbook →
Official websitewatertown-ma.gov ↗

Questions about Watertown’s government

How much does Watertown spend per resident?

About $3,974 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 $3,974 was less than 68% of 22 Massachusetts cities of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Watertown?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $6,799 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.87% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see watertown-ma.gov.

Who runs Watertown’s government?

See watertown-ma.gov for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Watertown yet.

How did Watertown vote in 2024?

For president, Kamala D Harris 75.1%, Donald J Trump 21.4% (18,031 votes, official results). Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.

How many people work for Watertown?

618 full-time and 187 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $4.4M (about $53.2M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

When is the next public meeting in Watertown?

The next posted meeting is City Council: Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee on Wednesday, November 4, at 4:30 pm in 124 Orchard Street or virtual, from the city’s own agenda portal.

Ask neighbors about Watertown’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 →