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Town Hall · Big Lake

Big Lake spent more per resident in 2022 than 69% of similar cities

Big Lake’s village government spent $74,000 on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $536 per resident.

Election Day

Today

General election in Missouri.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$74,000
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$536
In 2022: $536, more than 69% of 356 similar cities
Long-term debt
Not reported
end of FY2022, reported
Village staff, 2022
0
full-time · 2 part-time · March payroll $1,142
Typical tax bill
$1,250
0.57% of home value · MO 0.85%

What stands out about how Big Lake is run

Read from the village’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $536 per resident, more than 69% of 356 similar cities.A shared school districtShares Craig R-III School District with 3 other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $1,250 a year: 0.57% of the home’s value, vs 0.85% across Missouri.
Compared with similar places

$536 per resident in 2022: more than 69% of them

Big Lake’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($536 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 356 Missouri cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $313, and the middle half spent $137–$618. Big Lake spent more than 69% of them.

Middle half of the group, $137–$618Median $313Big Lake

Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
356

Missouri cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Big Lake itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $536 per resident a year, or $1.47 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 27%.

Where the money comes from
Interest, fines & other 42%Property taxes 39%From other local governments 12%From the state 6%Fees & charges 1%Utility sales 1%
Not in the receipt.With the enterprises, the whole budget was $77,000.
About “Other”.70% of Big Lake’s day-to-day spending ($52,000) 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

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,250 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.57% of the home’s value, vs 0.85% across Missouri.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Missouri$1,948
Big Lake$1,250
$1,250
typical bill a year
0.57%
effective rate
$217,500
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Big Lake

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

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

Craig R-III School District

Big Lake’s K–12 school district, shared with Corning, Craig, Fortescue. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Big Lake →
$35,333
per pupil · MO $14,569
51
students
None
long-term debt

Of the $35,333 per pupil, $17,510 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 73%State 18%Federal 9%

Missouri districts overall: 54% local, 35% state, 11% federal.

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Big Lake’s votes are counted by county

Missouri reports official results by county and precinct, not by village, so there are no official results for Big Lake alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Holt County’s results.

President · Holt County’s results2,352 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican84.3%1,982 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat15.2%357 votes

Others: 0.6% (13 votes).

Most votes in Holt County: Donald J Trump

Missouri: Trump 58.5%, Harris 40.1%

The county’s page

100% of Big Lake lies in Holt County. Every 2024 race in Holt County is on the county’s page.

Holt 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 Big Lake

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Big Lake.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Missouri HouseState representatives
    Jeff Farnan
  3. 3
    Missouri SenateState senator
    Rusty Black
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Mike Kehoe
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Sam Graves
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Missouri
    Josh HawleyEric Schmitt

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Reach Big Lake’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Big Lake’s government

How much does Big Lake spend per resident?

About $536 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $536 was more than 69% of 356 Missouri cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Big Lake?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,250 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.57% of the typical home’s value, vs 0.85% across Missouri. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the village’s assessor.

Who runs Big Lake’s government?

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

How did Big Lake vote in 2024?

Missouri counts votes by county and precinct, not by village, so there are no official results for Big Lake alone. Holt County, where 100% of Big Lake lies, voted Trump 84.3%, Harris 15.2% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Big Lake?

0 full-time and 2 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $1,142 (about $13,704 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Big Lake in the state legislature?

State Senate District 12 (Rusty Black) and State House District 1 (Jeff Farnan). The House district also covers 57 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Big Lake’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 →