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Paul Cuffe FarmPaul Cuffe Farm · Photo: Cortikal · CC BY-SA 3.0
Town Hall · Westport

Westport spent less per resident in 2022 than 89% of similar towns

Westport’s town government spent $53.1 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $3,297 per resident.

Town website
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$53.1M
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$3,297
In 2022: $3,297, less than 89% of 75 similar towns
Long-term debt
$59.1M
end of FY2022, reported
Town staff, 2022
404
full-time · 148 part-time · March payroll $2.3M · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$3,719
0.71% of home value · MA 1.07%

What stands out about how Westport is run

Read from the town’s budget and official records.

Compared with similar places

$3,297 per resident in 2022: less than 89% of them

Westport’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($3,297 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 $3,786–$5,278. Westport spent less than 89% of them.

Middle half of the group, $3,786–$5,278Median $4,576Westport

Includes sewer and trash ($268,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
75

Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Westport itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $3,297 per resident a year, or $9.03 a day

Schools are part of the town’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 58% of day-to-day spending.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 62%From the state 24%From the federal government 7%Fees & charges 3%Sales taxes 1%Interest, fines & other 1%Other taxes & licenses 1%Utility sales <1%From other local governments <1%
Schools included

Westport 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.

Not in the receipt.Building projects $14.5 million; interest on debt $1.7 million; payments to other governments $2.7 million. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $72.3 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $3,719 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.71% of the home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Massachusetts$5,992
Tiverton$4,767
Dartmouth$4,263
Fall River$3,953
Westport$3,719
Little Compton$3,696
North Westport$2,806
$3,719
typical bill a year
0.71%
effective rate
$521,900
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Westport

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

See westport-ma.com for Westport’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Westport yet.westport-ma.com ↗
Agendas

Westport’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on westport-ma.com ↗.

Who works for Westport

One full-time town employee for every 40 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 (16,097).

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

Schools290 + 76 pt
Police33 + 10 pt
Fire25 + 12 pt
Administration & buildings20 + 7 pt
Health & welfare9 + 24 pt
Roads & transportation12 + 2 pt
Parks & libraries4 + 3 pt
Sewer & trash3
Other8 + 14 pt
404
full-time
148
part-time
$2.3M
payroll for March 2022
$27.3M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$64,300
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
29
sworn police officers
24
full-time firefighters
Estimates.Westport 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

Westport School District

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

Schools in Westport →
$19,983
per pupil · MA $26,530
1,506
students
None
long-term debt

Of the $19,983 per pupil, $12,326 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 65%State 28%Federal 6%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

How Westport voted in 2024

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

President10,820 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican52.3%5,663 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat45.8%4,955 votes

Others: 1.9% (202 votes).

Most votes in Westport: Donald J Trump

Bristol County: Harris 49.6%, Trump 48.3% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%

Turnout
79%

of Westport’s 13,620 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.

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

U.S. Senate10,544 votes
John DeatonRepublican54.1%
Elizabeth Ann WarrenDemocrat45.8%
Others0.1%

Most votes in Westport: John Deaton

Bristol County: Deaton 50.3%, Warren 49.6% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%

U.S. House · Massachusetts’s 9th District446,395 votes
Bill KeatingDemocrat56.4%
Dan SullivanRepublican43.4%
Others0.1%

Most votes in the district: Bill Keating

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Westport, its county and the state

TrumpHarrisOthersVotes
Westport52.3%45.8%1.9%10,820
Bristol County48.3%49.6%2.2%278,017
Massachusetts36.0%61.2%2.8%3,473,668
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.

Who represents Westport

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Westport.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
  2. 2
    Massachusetts HouseState representatives
  3. 3
    Massachusetts SenateState senator
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Massachusetts

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Next door

How Westport compares with the towns next door

Westport spent $3,297 per resident in 2022; the 2 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $3,425 to $3,947. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Dartmouth$3,425 runs schools$4,263
Fall River$3,947 runs schools$3,953
Westport$3,297$3,719

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 Westport’s government

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

The Handbook →

Questions about Westport’s government

How much does Westport spend per resident?

About $3,297 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 $3,297 was less than 89% of 75 Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Westport?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $3,719 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.71% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see westport-ma.com.

Who runs Westport’s government?

See westport-ma.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Westport yet.

How did Westport vote in 2024?

For president, Donald J Trump 52.3%, Kamala D Harris 45.8% (10,820 votes, official results). Bristol County: Harris 49.6%, Trump 48.3%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.

How many people work for Westport?

404 full-time and 148 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $2.3M (about $27.3M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Westport in the state legislature?

State Senate District First Bristol and Plymouth (Michael Rodrigues) and State House District 8th Bristol (Steven Ouellette). The House district also covers parts of four other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Westport’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 →