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EllsworthMNPhoto: No machine-readable author provided. The Moose assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 3.0
Town Hall · Ellsworth

Ellsworth spent more per resident in 2022 than 99% of similar cities

Ellsworth’s city government spent $3.2 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $7,064 per resident. Water and other utilities ($94,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Today

General election in Minnesota.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$3.2M
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$7,064
In 2022: $7,064, more than 99% of 619 similar cities
Long-term debt
$165,000
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2022
1
full-time · 8 part-time · March payroll $6,774
Typical tax bill
$1,300
1.51% of home value · MN 1.02%

What stands out about how Ellsworth is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $7,064 per resident, more than 99% of 619 similar cities.A shared school districtShares Ellsworth Public School District with 3 other towns.Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $1,300 a year: 1.51% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.
Compared with similar places

$7,064 per resident in 2022: more than 99% of them

Ellsworth’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($7,064 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. Ellsworth spent more than 99% of them.

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

Includes sewer and trash ($117,000), 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; Ellsworth itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $7,064 per resident a year, or $19.35 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: health & welfare, at 87%.

Where the money comes from
Fees & charges 74%Utility sales 8%From the federal government 7%From the state 6%Property taxes 4%Interest, fines & other 1%Sales taxes <1%Other taxes & licenses <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $204,000; interest on debt $8,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $3.5 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,300 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.51% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Minnesota$3,357
Ellsworth$1,300
$1,300
typical bill a year
1.51%
effective rate
$86,200
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Ellsworth

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

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

One full-time city employee for every 450 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 (450).

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

Administration & buildings0 + 5 pt
Fire0 + 2 pt
Water & other utilities1
Other0 + 1 pt
1
full-time
8
part-time
$6,774
payroll for March 2022
$81,288
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$50,400
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.Ellsworth had 2.2 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 3.9: Ellsworth had fewer than 60% 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

Ellsworth Public School District

Ellsworth’s K–12 school district, shared with Grand Prairie Township, Kanaranzi Township, Little Rock Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Ellsworth →
$18,461
per pupil · MN $17,091
128
students
None
long-term debt

Of the $18,461 per pupil, $10,398 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 70%Federal 6%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Ellsworth’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Nobles County’s results8,275 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican67.0%5,541 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat31.4%2,599 votes

Others: 1.6% (135 votes).

Most votes in Nobles County: Donald J Trump

Minnesota: Harris 50.9%, Trump 46.7%

The county’s page

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

Nobles 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 Ellsworth

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Ellsworth.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Minnesota HouseState representatives
    District 21A
  3. 3
    Minnesota SenateState senator
    Bill Weber
  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 Ellsworth’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Ellsworth’s government

How much does Ellsworth spend per resident?

About $7,064 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 $7,064 was more than 99% of 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Ellsworth?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,300 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.51% 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 Ellsworth’s government?

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

How did Ellsworth vote in 2024?

Minnesota counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Ellsworth alone. Nobles County, where 100% of Ellsworth lies, voted Trump 67.0%, Harris 31.4% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Ellsworth?

1 full-time and 8 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $6,774 (about $81,288 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Ellsworth in the state legislature?

State Senate District 21 (Bill Weber) and State House District 21A. The House district also covers 119 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Ellsworth’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 →