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Town Hall · Murdock

Murdock spent more per resident in 2022 than 68% of similar cities

Murdock’s city government spent $356,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $1,369 per resident. Water and other utilities ($41,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in Minnesota.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$356,000
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$1,369
In 2022: $1,369, more than 68% of 619 similar cities
Long-term debt
$383,000
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2022
1
full-time · 8 part-time · March payroll $5,859
Typical tax bill
$896
0.87% of home value · MN 1.02%

What stands out about how Murdock is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $1,369 per resident, more than 68% of 619 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer32% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg with 6+ other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $896 a year: 0.87% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.
Compared with similar places

$1,369 per resident in 2022: more than 68% of them

Murdock’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,369 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–$1,505. Murdock spent more than 68% of them.

Middle half of the group, $740–$1,505Median $1,111Murdock

Includes sewer and trash ($87,000), 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; Murdock itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $1,369 per resident a year, or $3.75 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 24%.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 31%Utility sales 23%From the state 19%Fees & charges 14%Interest, fines & other 9%From the federal government 3%Other taxes & licenses <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $110,000; interest on debt $9,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $516,000.
About “Other”.43% of Murdock’s day-to-day spending ($153,000) 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

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $896 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.87% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Minnesota$3,357
Murdock$896
$896
typical bill a year
0.87%
effective rate
$103,100
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Murdock

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

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

One full-time city employee for every 260 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 (260).

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

Administration & buildings0 + 6 pt
Sewer & trash0 + 2 pt
Water & other utilities1
1
full-time
8
part-time
$5,859
payroll for March 2022
$70,308
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$11,800
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.Murdock had 3.8 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 3.9: Murdock had fewer than 50% 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

Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg

Murdock’s K–12 school district, shared with Hayes Township, Kerkhoven, Pillsbury Township, Sunburg, Kerkhoven Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Murdock →
$14,117
per pupil · MN $17,091
797
students
$26.5 million
long-term debt

Of the $14,117 per pupil, $8,775 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 17%State 78%Federal 4%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Murdock’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Swift County’s results5,054 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican66.1%3,340 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat32.0%1,618 votes

Others: 1.9% (96 votes).

Most votes in Swift County: Donald J Trump

Minnesota: Harris 50.9%, Trump 46.7%

The county’s page

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

Swift 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 Murdock

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Murdock.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Minnesota HouseState representatives
    Paul Anderson
  3. 3
    Minnesota SenateState senator
    Torrey Westrom
  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 Murdock’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Murdock’s government

How much does Murdock spend per resident?

About $1,369 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 $1,369 was more than 68% of 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Murdock?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $896 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.87% 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 Murdock’s government?

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

How did Murdock vote in 2024?

Minnesota counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Murdock alone. Swift County, where 100% of Murdock lies, voted Trump 66.1%, Harris 32.0% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Murdock?

1 full-time and 8 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $5,859 (about $70,308 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Murdock in the state legislature?

State Senate District 12 (Torrey Westrom) and State House District 12A (Paul Anderson). The House district also covers 116 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Murdock’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 →