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Town Hall · Licking

Licking spent less per resident in 2022 than 87% of similar cities

Licking’s city government spent $1.2 million on day-to-day services in the year to March 31, 2022, about $417 per resident. Water and other utilities ($169,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in Missouri.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$1.2M
year to March 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$417
In 2022: $417, less than 87% of 79 similar cities
Long-term debt
Not reported
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
18
full-time · 0 part-time · March payroll $122,264
Typical tax bill
$598
0.51% of home value · MO 0.85%

What stands out about how Licking is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $417 per resident, less than 87% of 79 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer26% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Licking R-VIII School District with 3 other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $598 a year: 0.51% of the home’s value, vs 0.85% across Missouri.
Compared with similar places

$417 per resident in 2022: less than 87% of them

Licking’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($417 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 79 Missouri cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $780, and the middle half spent $534–$1,041. Licking spent less than 87% of them.

Middle half of the group, $534–$1,041Median $780Licking

Includes sewer and trash ($188,000), 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
79

Missouri cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Licking itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $417 per resident a year, or $1.14 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 20%.

Where the money comes from
Sales taxes 28%Interest, fines & other 25%Utility sales 14%From the federal government 13%Fees & charges 10%From the state 6%Property taxes 3%Other taxes & licenses 1%Income taxes <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $211,000; interest on debt $27,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $1.6 million.
About “Other”.39% of Licking’s day-to-day spending ($465,000) 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

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $598 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.51% of the home’s value, vs 0.85% across Missouri.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Missouri$1,948
Licking$598
$598
typical bill a year
0.51%
effective rate
$116,900
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Licking’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.

Tax bills are one input to Licking’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Licking →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Licking

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

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

One full-time city employee for every 160 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 (2,872).

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

Administration & buildings7
Police5
Roads & transportation2
Sewer & trash2
Water & other utilities2
18
full-time
0
part-time
$122,264
payroll for March 2022
$1.5M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$81,500
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
5
sworn police officers
Compared, 2022.Licking had 6.3 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 68 of the 79 Missouri cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 7.3: Licking had fewer than 63% 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

Licking R-VIII School District

Licking’s K–12 school district, shared with Sherrill Township, Boone Township, Lynch Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Licking →
$11,674
per pupil · MO $14,569
809
students
None
long-term debt

Of the $11,674 per pupil, $6,906 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 24%State 53%Federal 23%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Licking’s votes are counted by county

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

President · Texas County’s results11,525 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican85.5%9,855 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat13.8%1,589 votes

Others: 0.7% (81 votes).

Most votes in Texas County: Donald J Trump

Missouri: Trump 58.5%, Harris 40.1%

The county’s page

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

Texas 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 Licking

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Licking.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Missouri HouseState representatives
    Bennie Cook
  3. 3
    Missouri SenateState senator
    Brad Hudson
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Mike Kehoe
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Jason Smith
  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 Licking’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Licking’s government

How much does Licking spend per resident?

About $417 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to March 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $417 was less than 87% of 79 Missouri cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Licking?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $598 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.51% of the typical home’s value, vs 0.85% across Missouri. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.

Who runs Licking’s government?

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

How did Licking vote in 2024?

Missouri counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Licking alone. Texas County, where 100% of Licking lies, voted Trump 85.5%, Harris 13.8% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Licking?

18 full-time and 0 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $122,264 (about $1.5M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Licking in the state legislature?

State Senate District 33 (Brad Hudson) and State House District 143 (Bennie Cook). The House district also covers 29 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Licking’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 →