Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Big Falls

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Town Hall · Big Falls

Big Falls spent more per resident in 2022 than 81% of similar cities

Big Falls’ city government spent $341,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $1,663 per resident. Water and other utilities ($409,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Today

General election in Minnesota.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$341,000
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$1,663
In 2022: $1,663, more than 81% of 619 similar cities
Long-term debt
$881,000
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2022
1
full-time · 2 part-time · March payroll $4,959
Typical tax bill
$683
1.01% of home value · MN 1.02%

What stands out about how Big Falls is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $1,663 per resident, more than 81% of 619 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer61% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Littlefork-Big Falls School District with 1 other town.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $683 a year: 1.01% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.
Compared with similar places

$1,663 per resident in 2022: more than 81% of them

Big Falls’ day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,663 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. Big Falls spent more than 81% of them.

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

Includes sewer and trash ($53,000), 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; Big Falls itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $1,663 per resident a year, or $4.56 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 27%.

Where the money comes from
From the state 37%Utility sales 29%Fees & charges 12%From other local governments 9%Interest, fines & other 7%Property taxes 5%From the federal government 1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $400,000; interest on debt $33,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $1.2 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $683 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.01% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Minnesota$3,357
Big Falls$683
$683
typical bill a year
1.01%
effective rate
$67,500
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Big Falls

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

Check Big Falls’ own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Big Falls yet.
Who works for Big Falls

One full-time city employee for every 205 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (205).

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

Administration & buildings0 + 2 pt
Other1
1
full-time
2
part-time
$4,959
payroll for March 2022
$59,508
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$49,000
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.Big Falls had 4.9 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 457 of the 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 3.8: Big Falls had more than 58% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

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

Littlefork-Big Falls School District

Big Falls’ K–12 school district, shared with Littlefork. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Big Falls →
$16,753
per pupil · MN $17,091
369
students
$5.1 million
long-term debt

Of the $16,753 per pupil, $9,805 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 20%State 73%Federal 8%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Big Falls’ votes are counted by county

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

President · Koochiching County’s results6,789 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican61.9%4,204 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat36.3%2,465 votes

Others: 1.8% (120 votes).

Most votes in Koochiching County: Donald J Trump

Minnesota: Harris 50.9%, Trump 46.7%

The county’s page

100% of Big Falls lies in Koochiching County. Every 2024 race in Koochiching County is on the county’s page.

Koochiching 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 Big Falls

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Big Falls.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Minnesota HouseState representatives
    Roger Skraba
  3. 3
    Minnesota SenateState senator
    Grant Hauschild
  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 Big Falls’ government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Big Falls’ government

How much does Big Falls spend per resident?

About $1,663 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 $1,663 was more than 81% of 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Big Falls?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $683 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.01% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.

Who runs Big Falls’ government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Big Falls yet.

How did Big Falls vote in 2024?

Minnesota counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Big Falls alone. Koochiching County, where 100% of Big Falls lies, voted Trump 61.9%, Harris 36.3% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Big Falls?

1 full-time and 2 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $4,959 (about $59,508 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Big Falls in the state legislature?

State Senate District 3 (Grant Hauschild) and State House District 3A (Roger Skraba). The House district also covers 56 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Big Falls’ 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 →