Photo: Fletcher6 · CC BY-SA 3.0Wenham spent more per resident in 2022 than 75% of similar towns
Wenham’s town government spent $8.3 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,608 per resident. Water and other utilities ($498,000) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Wenham is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$1,608 per resident in 2022: more than 75% of them
Wenham’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,608 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–$1,594. Wenham spent more than 75% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($430,000), 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; Wenham itself left out).
About $1,608 per resident a year, or $4.41 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 18%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Wenham reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
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 Wenham’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 Wenham’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Wenham →
Who’s in charge in Wenham
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Wenham’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on wenhamma.gov ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 126 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 (5,164).
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.
Hamilton-Wenham School District
Wenham’s K–12 school district, shared with Hamilton. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $24,472 per pupil, $14,115 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 Wenham voted in 2024
Official results for Wenham’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat66.0%1,718 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican30.1%782 votesOthers: 3.9% (102 votes).
Most votes in Wenham: Kamala D Harris
Essex County: Harris 58.9%, Trump 38.7% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of Wenham’s 3,860 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Wenham: Elizabeth Ann Warren
Essex County: Warren 57.8%, Deaton 42.0% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%
Most votes in the district: Seth W Moulton
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Wenham, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wenham | 66.0% | 30.1% | 3.9% | 2,602 |
| Essex County | 58.9% | 38.7% | 2.5% | 401,851 |
| 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 Wenham.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: wenhamma.gov ↗
- 2Massachusetts HouseWenham 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 Wenham compares with the towns next door
Wenham spent $1,608 per resident in 2022; the 5 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $1,286 to $4,334. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | $1,286 | $10,000+ |
| Manchester-by-the-Sea | $2,833 | $9,291 |
| Beverly | $3,430 runs schools | $6,836 |
| Topsfield | $3,702 runs schools | $10,000+ |
| Danvers | $4,334 runs schools | $6,654 |
| Wenham | $1,608 | $10,000+ |
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 Wenham’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Wenham’s government
How much does Wenham spend per resident?
About $1,608 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 $1,608 was more than 75% of 48 Massachusetts towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
Who runs Wenham’s government?
See wenhamma.gov for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Wenham yet.
How did Wenham vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 66.0%, Donald J Trump 30.1% (2,602 votes, official results). Essex County: Harris 58.9%, Trump 38.7%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for Wenham?
41 full-time and 33 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $345,511 (about $4.1M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Wenham in the state legislature?
Wenham is split among 2 State House districts, so your address decides. The Massachusetts Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Its State Senate district is District First Essex and Middlesex (Bruce Tarr). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Wenham’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 →