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Town Hall · Elba

Elba spent less per resident in 2022 than 97% of similar cities

Elba’s city government spent $46,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $295 per resident. Water and other utilities ($8,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Today

General election in Minnesota.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$46,000
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$295
In 2022: $295, less than 97% of 619 similar cities
Long-term debt
Not reported
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2022
2
full-time · 9 part-time · March payroll $10,594
Typical tax bill
$1,104
0.69% of home value · MN 1.02%

What stands out about how Elba is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $295 per resident, less than 97% of 619 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer22% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares St. Charles Public School District with 6+ other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $1,104 a year: 0.69% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.
Compared with similar places

$295 per resident in 2022: less than 97% of them

Elba’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($295 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. Elba spent less than 97% of them.

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

Includes sewer and trash ($4,000), 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; Elba itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $295 per resident a year, or $0.81 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 15%.

Where the money comes from
From the state 32%Property taxes 32%Utility sales 14%Interest, fines & other 14%From the federal government 7%Fees & charges 1%Other taxes & licenses 1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $31,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $85,000.
About “Other”.57% of Elba’s day-to-day spending ($26,000) is filed by the Census Bureau outside the named functions above, so the receipt can’t say what it buys.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,104 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.69% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Minnesota$3,357
Elba$1,104
$1,104
typical bill a year
0.69%
effective rate
$159,400
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Elba

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

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

One full-time city employee for every 78 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 (156).

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

Administration & buildings1 + 8 pt
Water & other utilities0 + 1 pt
Other1
2
full-time
9
part-time
$10,594
payroll for March 2022
$127,128
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$38,400
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.Elba had 12.8 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: Elba had more than 92% 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

St. Charles Public School District

Elba’s K–12 school district, shared with St. Charles, Utica, Saratoga Township, St. Charles Township, Elba Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Elba →
$12,599
per pupil · MN $17,091
968
students
$27.4 million
long-term debt

Of the $12,599 per pupil, $8,134 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 24%State 72%Federal 4%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Elba’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Winona County’s results27,797 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican51.4%14,288 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat46.5%12,929 votes

Others: 2.1% (580 votes).

Most votes in Winona County: Donald J Trump

Minnesota: Harris 50.9%, Trump 46.7%

The county’s page

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

Winona 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 Elba

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Elba.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Minnesota HouseState representatives
    Steve Jacob
  3. 3
    Minnesota SenateState senator
    Steve Drazkowski
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Tim Walz
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Brad Finstad
  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 Elba’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Elba’s government

How much does Elba spend per resident?

About $295 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 $295 was less than 97% of 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Elba?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,104 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.69% 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 Elba’s government?

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

How did Elba vote in 2024?

Minnesota counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Elba alone. Winona County, where 100% of Elba lies, voted Trump 51.4%, Harris 46.5% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Elba?

2 full-time and 9 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $10,594 (about $127,128 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Elba in the state legislature?

State Senate District 20 (Steve Drazkowski) and State House District 20B (Steve Jacob). The House district also covers 46 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Elba’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 →