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Town Hall · Florence

Florence spent less per resident in 2022 than 83% of similar cities

Florence’s city government spent $20,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $571 per resident. Water and other utilities ($3,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in Minnesota.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$20,000
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$571
In 2022: $571, less than 83% of 619 similar cities
Long-term debt
Not reported
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2022
0
full-time · 9 part-time · March payroll $12,680 · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$1,200
0.80% of home value · MN 1.02%

What stands out about how Florence is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $571 per resident, less than 83% 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 RTR Public Schools with 6+ other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $1,200 a year: 0.80% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.
Compared with similar places

$571 per resident in 2022: less than 83% of them

Florence’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($571 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. Florence spent less than 83% of them.

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

Includes sewer and trash ($2,000), 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; Florence itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $571 per resident a year, or $1.56 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 40%.

Where the money comes from
Utility sales 61%From the federal government 36%From the state 2%Property taxes 1%Fees & charges <1%Interest, fines & other <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $70,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $93,000.
About “Other”.30% of Florence’s day-to-day spending ($6,000) 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

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,200 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.80% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Minnesota$3,357
Florence$1,200
$1,200
typical bill a year
0.80%
effective rate
$150,000
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Florence

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

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

RTR Public Schools

Florence’s K–12 school district, shared with Aetna Township, Coon Creek Township, Hope Township, Marshfield Township, Russell and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Florence →
$14,468
per pupil · MN $17,091
637
students
$31.6 million
long-term debt

Of the $14,468 per pupil, $8,257 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 22%State 72%Federal 6%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Florence’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Lyon County’s results12,990 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican64.7%8,400 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat33.0%4,284 votes

Others: 2.4% (306 votes).

Most votes in Lyon County: Donald J Trump

Minnesota: Harris 50.9%, Trump 46.7%

The county’s page

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

Lyon 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 Florence

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Florence.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Minnesota HouseState representatives
    Chris Swedzinski
  3. 3
    Minnesota SenateState senator
    Gary Dahms
  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 Florence’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Florence’s government

How much does Florence spend per resident?

About $571 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 $571 was less than 83% of 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Florence?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,200 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.80% 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 Florence’s government?

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

How did Florence vote in 2024?

Minnesota counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Florence alone. Lyon County, where 100% of Florence lies, voted Trump 64.7%, Harris 33.0% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Florence?

0 full-time and 9 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $12,680 (about $152,160 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Florence in the state legislature?

State Senate District 15 (Gary Dahms) and State House District 15A (Chris Swedzinski). The House district also covers 90 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Florence’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 →