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Darwin Water Tower, Darwin Minnesota Tony Webster (29760334840)Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota · CC BY-SA 2.0
Town Hall · Darwin

Darwin spent less per resident in 2022 than 89% of similar cities

Darwin’s city government spent $161,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $454 per resident. Water and other utilities ($917,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Today

General election in Minnesota.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$161,000
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$454
In 2022: $454, less than 89% of 619 similar cities
Long-term debt
$219,000
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2022
0
full-time · 21 part-time · March payroll $29,472 · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$1,500
0.86% of home value · MN 1.02%

What stands out about how Darwin is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $454 per resident, less than 89% of 619 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer90% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Litchfield Public School District with 6+ other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $1,500 a year: 0.86% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.
Compared with similar places

$454 per resident in 2022: less than 89% of them

Darwin’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($454 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 $1,112, and the middle half spent $743–$1,505. Darwin spent less than 89% of them.

Middle half of the group, $743–$1,505Median $1,112Darwin

Includes sewer and trash ($56,000), 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; Darwin itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $454 per resident a year, or $1.24 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 35%.

Where the money comes from
Utility sales 76%Property taxes 7%From the state 6%Fees & charges 6%Interest, fines & other 3%From the federal government 1%Other taxes & licenses <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $10,000; interest on debt $9,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $1.1 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,500 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.86% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Minnesota$3,357
Darwin$1,500
$1,500
typical bill a year
0.86%
effective rate
$175,000
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Darwin

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

Check Darwin’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Darwin yet.
The school district

Litchfield Public School District

Darwin’s K–12 school district, shared with Forest City Township, Kingston, Litchfield, Litchfield Township, Greenleaf Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Darwin →
$14,604
per pupil · MN $17,091
1,562
students
$36.2 million
long-term debt

Of the $14,604 per pupil, $8,926 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 27%State 68%Federal 6%

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

Also serving Darwin

Dassel-Cokato Public School District · $13,439 per pupil

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Darwin’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Meeker County’s results13,694 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican70.4%9,645 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat27.8%3,802 votes

Others: 1.8% (247 votes).

Most votes in Meeker County: Donald J Trump

Minnesota: Harris 50.9%, Trump 46.7%

The county’s page

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

Meeker 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 Darwin

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Darwin.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Minnesota HouseState representatives
    Dawn Gillman
  3. 3
    Minnesota SenateState senator
    Glenn Gruenhagen
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Tim Walz
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Michelle Fischbach
  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 Darwin’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Darwin’s government

How much does Darwin spend per resident?

About $454 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 $454 was less than 89% of 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Darwin?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,500 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.86% 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 Darwin’s government?

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

How did Darwin vote in 2024?

Minnesota counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Darwin alone. Meeker County, where 100% of Darwin lies, voted Trump 70.4%, Harris 27.8% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Darwin?

0 full-time and 21 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $29,472 (about $353,664 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Darwin in the state legislature?

State Senate District 17 (Glenn Gruenhagen) and State House District 17A (Dawn Gillman). The House district also covers 30 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Darwin’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 →