Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0Westford spent more per resident in 2022 than 87% of similar towns
Westford’s town government spent $134.8 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2023, about $5,514 per resident. Water and other utilities ($2.3 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Westford is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$6,234 per resident in 2022: more than 87% of them
Westford’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($6,234 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 30 Massachusetts towns and townships of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools: the median was $4,548, and the middle half spent $4,076–$4,993. Westford spent more than 87% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.6 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 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Westford itself left out).
About $5,514 per resident a year, or $15.11 a day
Schools are part of the town’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 68% of day-to-day spending.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Westford runs its own schools, so school spending is part of this budget. Comparisons are with Massachusetts towns and townships of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools.
Day-to-day spending is down 14% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Westford 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: $6,234 · 2023: $5,514.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
The typical homeowner pays $9,695 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.30% 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 Westford’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 Westford’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Westford →
Who’s in charge in Westford
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Westford’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on westford-ma.gov ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 27 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 (24,446).
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.
Westford School District
Westford’s K–12 school district. The schools are run by Westford, so this money is part of the budget above.
Of the $20,818 per pupil, $12,498 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 Westford voted in 2024
Official results for Westford’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat64.5%9,543 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican32.1%4,751 votesOthers: 3.4% (498 votes).
Most votes in Westford: Kamala D Harris
Middlesex County: Harris 68.0%, Trump 28.9% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of Westford’s 16,648 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Westford: Elizabeth Ann Warren
Middlesex County: Warren 66.5%, Deaton 33.3% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%
Most votes in the district: Lori Loureiro Trahan
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Westford, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westford | 64.5% | 32.1% | 3.4% | 14,792 |
| 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 Westford.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: westford-ma.gov ↗
- 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 Westford compares with the towns next door
Westford spent $6,234 per resident in 2022; the 6 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $1,600 to $5,493. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Groton | $1,600 | $10,000+ |
| Acton | $1,792 | $10,000+ |
| Tyngsborough | $4,304 runs schools | $7,426 |
| Chelmsford | $4,605 runs schools | $8,047 |
| Carlisle | $5,187 runs schools | $10,000+ |
| Littleton | $5,493 runs schools | $9,458 |
| Westford | $6,234 | $9,695 |
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 Westford’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Westford’s government
How much does Westford spend per resident?
About $5,514 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 $6,234 was more than 87% of 30 Massachusetts towns and townships of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Westford?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $9,695 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.30% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see westford-ma.gov.
Who runs Westford’s government?
See westford-ma.gov for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Westford yet.
How did Westford vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 64.5%, Donald J Trump 32.1% (14,792 votes, official results). Middlesex County: Harris 68.0%, Trump 28.9%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for Westford?
917 full-time and 337 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $6.0M (about $72.2M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Westford in the state legislature?
State Senate District Worcester and Middlesex (John Cronin) and State House District 2nd Middlesex (Jim Arciero). The House district also covers two neighboring towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Westford’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 →