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Town Hall · Wheaton

Wheaton spent more per resident in 2022 than 83% of similar cities

Wheaton’s city government spent $2.1 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $1,690 per resident. Water and other utilities ($281,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in Minnesota.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$2.1M
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$1,690
In 2022: $1,690, more than 83% of 619 similar cities
Long-term debt
$2.9M
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2022
8
full-time · 4 part-time · March payroll $47,285
Typical tax bill
$1,025
1.17% of home value · MN 1.02%

What stands out about how Wheaton is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $1,690 per resident, more than 83% of 619 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer38% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Wheaton Area Public School District with 6+ other towns.Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $1,025 a year: 1.17% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.
Compared with similar places

$1,690 per resident in 2022: more than 83% of them

Wheaton’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,690 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. Wheaton spent more than 83% of them.

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

Includes sewer and trash ($647,000), 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; Wheaton itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $1,690 per resident a year, or $4.63 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 30%.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 30%From the state 26%Fees & charges 18%Utility sales 16%From the federal government 8%Interest, fines & other 2%Other taxes & licenses <1%Sales taxes <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $688,000; interest on debt $84,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $3.2 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,025 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.17% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Minnesota$3,357
Wheaton$1,025
$1,025
typical bill a year
1.17%
effective rate
$87,500
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Wheaton

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

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

One full-time city employee for every 159 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 (1,269).

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

Police3 + 1 pt
Roads & transportation3
Administration & buildings2
Parks & libraries0 + 3 pt
8
full-time
4
part-time
$47,285
payroll for March 2022
$567,420
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$61,200
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
3
sworn police officers
Compared, 2022.Wheaton had 6.3 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: Wheaton had more than 69% 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

Wheaton Area Public School District

Wheaton’s K–12 school district, shared with Dumont, Lake Valley Township, Walls Township, Monson Township, Clifton Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Wheaton →
$17,378
per pupil · MN $17,091
368
students
None
long-term debt

Of the $17,378 per pupil, $10,796 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 71%Federal 7%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Wheaton’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Traverse County’s results1,802 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican64.7%1,165 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat33.1%597 votes

Others: 2.2% (40 votes).

Most votes in Traverse County: Donald J Trump

Minnesota: Harris 50.9%, Trump 46.7%

The county’s page

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

Traverse 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 Wheaton

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Wheaton.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Minnesota HouseState representatives
    Jeff Backer
  3. 3
    Minnesota SenateState senator
    Jordan Rasmusson
  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 Wheaton’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Wheaton’s government

How much does Wheaton spend per resident?

About $1,690 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 $1,690 was more than 83% of 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Wheaton?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,025 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.17% 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 Wheaton’s government?

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

How did Wheaton vote in 2024?

Minnesota counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Wheaton alone. Traverse County, where 100% of Wheaton lies, voted Trump 64.7%, Harris 33.1% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Wheaton?

8 full-time and 4 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $47,285 (about $567,420 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Wheaton in the state legislature?

State Senate District 9 (Jordan Rasmusson) and State House District 9A (Jeff Backer). The House district also covers 94 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Wheaton’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 →