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Town Hall · Backus

Backus spent more per resident in 2022 than 86% of similar cities

Backus’ city government spent $456,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $1,788 per resident. Water and other utilities ($64,000) and the airport ($34,000) are counted separately.

Town website
Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in Minnesota.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$456,000
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$1,788
In 2022: $1,788, more than 86% of 619 similar cities
Long-term debt
$1.1M
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2022
0
full-time · 32 part-time · March payroll $11,481
Typical tax bill
$1,275
0.95% of home value · MN 1.02%

What stands out about how Backus is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $1,788 per resident, more than 86% of 619 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer39% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Pine River-Backus Public School District with 6+ other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $1,275 a year: 0.95% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.
Compared with similar places

$1,788 per resident in 2022: more than 86% of them

Backus’ day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,788 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,111, and the middle half spent $740–$1,504. Backus spent more than 86% of them.

Middle half of the group, $740–$1,504Median $1,111Backus

Includes sewer and trash ($154,000), 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
619

Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Backus itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $1,788 per resident a year, or $4.90 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 34%.

Where the money comes from
Fees & charges 22%Property taxes 21%From the state 20%Interest, fines & other 18%Utility sales 16%From the federal government 2%Other taxes & licenses <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $172,000; interest on debt $36,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $762,000.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,275 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.95% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Minnesota$3,357
Backus$1,275
$1,275
typical bill a year
0.95%
effective rate
$134,700
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Backus’ 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. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.

Tax bills are one input to Backus’ Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Backus →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Backus

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

See backusmn.com for Backus’ current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Backus yet.backusmn.com ↗
Agendas

Backus’ meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on backusmn.com ↗.

The school district

Pine River-Backus Public School District

Backus’ K–12 school district, shared with Ansel Township, Barclay Township, Bull Moose Township, Bungo Township, Chickamaw Beach and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Backus →
$14,258
per pupil · MN $17,091
879
students
$5.9 million
long-term debt

Of the $14,258 per pupil, $9,315 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 17%State 69%Federal 14%

Minnesota districts overall: 30% local, 62% state, 8% federal.

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Backus’ votes are counted by county

Minnesota reports official results by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Backus alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Cass County’s results.

President · Cass County’s results19,363 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican65.9%12,759 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat32.5%6,300 votes

Others: 1.6% (304 votes).

Most votes in Cass County: Donald J Trump

Minnesota: Harris 50.9%, Trump 46.7%

The county’s page

100% of Backus lies in Cass County. Every 2024 race in Cass County is on the county’s page.

Cass County’s 2024 results →
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 Backus

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Backus.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Officials: backusmn.com ↗
  2. 2
    Minnesota HouseState representatives
    Krista Knudsen
  3. 3
    Minnesota SenateState senator
    Paul Utke
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Tim Walz
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Pete Stauber
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Minnesota
    Amy KlobucharTina Smith

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

Reach Backus’ government

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

The Handbook →
Official websitebackusmn.com ↗

Questions about Backus’ government

How much does Backus spend per resident?

About $1,788 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,788 was more than 86% of 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Backus?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,275 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.95% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see backusmn.com.

Who runs Backus’ government?

See backusmn.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Backus yet.

How did Backus vote in 2024?

Minnesota counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Backus alone. Cass County, where 100% of Backus lies, voted Trump 65.9%, Harris 32.5% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Backus?

0 full-time and 32 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $11,481 (about $137,772 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Backus in the state legislature?

State Senate District 5 (Paul Utke) and State House District 5A (Krista Knudsen). The House district also covers 74 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Backus’ 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 →