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Town Hall · Waltham

Waltham spent less per resident in 2022 than 94% of similar cities

Waltham’s city government spent $52,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $349 per resident. Water and other utilities ($108,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Today

General election in Minnesota.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$52,000
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$349
In 2022: $349, less than 94% of 619 similar cities
Long-term debt
$714,000
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2022
0
full-time · 9 part-time · March payroll $8,357 · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$750
0.79% of home value · MN 1.02%

What stands out about how Waltham is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $349 per resident, less than 94% of 619 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer68% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Hayfield Public School District with 6+ other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $750 a year: 0.79% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.
Compared with similar places

$349 per resident in 2022: less than 94% of them

Waltham’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($349 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. Waltham spent less than 94% of them.

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

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; Waltham itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $349 per resident a year, or $0.96 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 38%.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 35%From the state 30%Utility sales 28%From the federal government 5%Other taxes & licenses 1%Interest, fines & other 1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $71,000; interest on debt $15,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $246,000.
About “Other”.35% of Waltham’s day-to-day spending ($18,000) 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

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $750 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.79% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Minnesota$3,357
Waltham$750
$750
typical bill a year
0.79%
effective rate
$95,000
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Waltham

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

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

Hayfield Public School District

Waltham’s K–12 school district, shared with Brownsdale, Hayfield, Hayfield Township, Sargeant, Vernon Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Waltham →
$15,470
per pupil · MN $17,091
627
students
$560,000
long-term debt

Of the $15,470 per pupil, $9,013 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 27%State 67%Federal 5%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Waltham’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Mower County’s results18,969 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican54.3%10,297 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat43.8%8,312 votes

Others: 1.9% (360 votes).

Most votes in Mower County: Donald J Trump

Minnesota: Harris 50.9%, Trump 46.7%

The county’s page

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

Mower 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 Waltham

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Waltham.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Minnesota HouseState representatives
    Patty Mueller
  3. 3
    Minnesota SenateState senator
    Gene Dornink
  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 Waltham’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Waltham’s government

How much does Waltham spend per resident?

About $349 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 $349 was less than 94% of 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Waltham?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $750 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.79% 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 Waltham’s government?

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

How did Waltham vote in 2024?

Minnesota counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Waltham alone. Mower County, where 100% of Waltham lies, voted Trump 54.3%, Harris 43.8% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Waltham?

0 full-time and 9 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $8,357 (about $100,284 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Waltham in the state legislature?

State Senate District 23 (Gene Dornink) and State House District 23B (Patty Mueller). The House district also covers 37 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Waltham’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 →