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Town Hall · Madelia

Madelia spent more per resident in 2022 than 85% of similar cities

Madelia’s city government spent $3.9 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $1,756 per resident. Water and other utilities ($6.4 million) are counted separately.

Town website
Election Day

Today

General election in Minnesota.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$3.9M
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$1,756
In 2022: $1,756, more than 85% of 619 similar cities
Long-term debt
$13.3M
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2022
19
full-time · 17 part-time · March payroll $131,325
Typical tax bill
$1,684
1.02% of home value · MN 1.02%

What stands out about how Madelia is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $1,756 per resident, more than 85% of 619 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer79% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Madelia Public School District with 6+ other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $1,684 a year: 1.02% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.
Compared with similar places

$1,756 per resident in 2022: more than 85% of them

Madelia’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,756 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. Madelia spent more than 85% of them.

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

Includes sewer and trash ($1.8 million), 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; Madelia itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $1,756 per resident a year, or $4.81 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 46%.

Where the money comes from
Utility sales 59%Fees & charges 24%From the state 9%Property taxes 6%From the federal government 1%Interest, fines & other 1%Sales taxes <1%Other taxes & licenses <1%From other local governments <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $3.6 million; interest on debt $219,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $14.2 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,684 a year

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

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Minnesota$3,357
Madelia$1,684
$1,684
typical bill a year
1.02%
effective rate
$165,400
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Madelia

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

See madeliamn.com for Madelia’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Madelia yet.madeliamn.com ↗
Agendas

Madelia’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on madeliamn.com ↗.

Who works for Madelia

One full-time city employee for every 117 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 (2,226).

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

Water & other utilities8 + 4 pt
Police4 + 4 pt
Administration & buildings3 + 1 pt
Roads & transportation3
Sewer & trash1 + 1 pt
Parks & libraries0 + 2 pt
Other0 + 5 pt
19
full-time
17
part-time
$131,325
payroll for March 2022
$1.6M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$72,400
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
4
sworn police officers
Compared, 2022.Madelia had 8.5 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: Madelia had more than 82% 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

Madelia Public School District

Madelia’s K–12 school district, shared with Madelia Township, Fieldon Township, Ceresco Township, Linden Township, Lincoln Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Madelia →
$15,494
per pupil · MN $17,091
633
students
$2.7 million
long-term debt

Of the $15,494 per pupil, $9,355 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 19%State 74%Federal 7%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Madelia’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Watonwan County’s results4,933 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican62.6%3,087 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat34.9%1,723 votes

Others: 2.5% (123 votes).

Most votes in Watonwan County: Donald J Trump

Minnesota: Harris 50.9%, Trump 46.7%

The county’s page

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

Watonwan 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 Madelia

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Madelia.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Officials: madeliamn.com ↗
  2. 2
    Minnesota HouseState representatives
    Bjorn Olson
  3. 3
    Minnesota SenateState senator
    Rich Draheim
  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 Madelia’s government

The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.

The Handbook →
Official websitemadeliamn.com ↗

Questions about Madelia’s government

How much does Madelia spend per resident?

About $1,756 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 $1,756 was more than 85% of 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Madelia?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,684 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.02% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see madeliamn.com.

Who runs Madelia’s government?

See madeliamn.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Madelia yet.

How did Madelia vote in 2024?

Minnesota counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Madelia alone. Watonwan County, where 100% of Madelia lies, voted Trump 62.6%, Harris 34.9% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Madelia?

19 full-time and 17 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $131,325 (about $1.6M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Madelia in the state legislature?

State Senate District 22 (Rich Draheim) and State House District 22A (Bjorn Olson). The House district also covers 65 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Madelia’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 →