Photo: SwanyWhite · CC BY-SA 4.0West Union spent less per resident in 2022 than 97% of similar cities
West Union’s city government spent $36,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $293 per resident.
What stands out about how West Union is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$293 per resident in 2022: less than 97% of them
West Union’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($293 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. West Union spent less than 97% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; West Union itself left out).
About $293 per resident a year, or $0.80 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 75%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
West Union reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $1,125 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.93% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at West Union’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 West Union’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in West Union →
Who’s in charge in West Union
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Osakis Public School District
West Union’s K–12 school district, shared with Osakis, Gordon Township, Orange Township, Osakis Township, Leslie Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $13,012 per pupil, $9,020 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.
Minnesota districts overall: 30% local, 62% state, 8% federal.
Sauk Centre Public School District · $14,821 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
West Union’s votes are counted by county
Minnesota reports official results by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for West Union alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Todd County’s results.
Donald J TrumpRepublican75.8%10,392 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat22.4%3,072 votesOthers: 1.9% (254 votes).
Most votes in Todd County: Donald J Trump
Minnesota: Harris 50.9%, Trump 46.7%
100% of West Union lies in Todd County. Every 2024 race in Todd County is on the county’s page.
Todd County’s 2024 results →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.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for West Union.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilLocal officials aren’t on record yet.
- 2Minnesota HouseState representatives
- 3Minnesota SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Minnesota
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
Reach West Union’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about West Union’s government
How much does West Union spend per resident?
About $293 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 $293 was less than 97% of 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in West Union?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,125 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.93% 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 West Union’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for West Union yet.
How did West Union vote in 2024?
Minnesota counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for West Union alone. Todd County, where 100% of West Union lies, voted Trump 75.8%, Harris 22.4% for president; its page has every race.
How many people work for West Union?
0 full-time and 6 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $1,150 (about $13,800 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents West Union in the state legislature?
State Senate District 5 (Paul Utke) and State House District 5B (Mike Wiener). The House district also covers 60 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about West Union’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
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 →