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Town Hall · South West Township

South West Township spent less per resident in 2022 than 74% of similar towns

South West Township’s town government spent $51,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $85 per resident.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$51,000
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$85
In 2022: $85, less than 74% of 100 similar towns
Long-term debt
Not reported
end of 2022, reported
Town staff, 2022
0
full-time · 1 part-time · March payroll $450
Typical tax bill
$1,052
0.63% of home value · MO 0.85%

What stands out about how South West Township is run

Read from the town’s budget and official records.

Compared with similar places

$85 per resident in 2022: less than 74% of them

South West Township’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($85 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 100 Missouri towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $168, and the middle half spent $82–$292. South West Township spent less than 74% of them.

Middle half of the group, $82–$292Median $168South West Township

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

The group
100

Missouri towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; South West Township itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $85 per resident a year, or $0.23 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 100%.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 86%From the state 14%
Over the years

No trend yet

South West Township reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,052 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.63% of the home’s value, vs 0.85% across Missouri.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Baker Township$2,076
Missouri$1,948
Nashville Township$1,303
Washington Township$1,080
South West Township$1,052
Ozark Township$609
$1,052
typical bill a year
0.63%
effective rate
$168,100
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in South West Township

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

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

Liberal R-II School District

South West Township’s K–12 school district, shared with Barton City Township, Leroy Township, Liberal, Mindenmines, Ozark Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in South West Township →
$16,123
per pupil · MO $14,569
284
students
$2 million
long-term debt

Of the $16,123 per pupil, $7,972 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 53%State 38%Federal 10%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

South West Township’s votes are counted by county

Missouri reports official results by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for South West Township alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Barton County’s results.

President · Barton County’s results6,015 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican85.8%5,159 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat13.6%820 votes

Others: 0.6% (36 votes).

Most votes in Barton County: Donald J Trump

Missouri: Trump 58.5%, Harris 40.1%

The county’s page

100% of South West Township lies in Barton County. Every 2024 race in Barton County is on the county’s page.

Barton 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 South West Township

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for South West Township.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Missouri HouseState representatives
  3. 3
    Missouri SenateState senator
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Missouri

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

Next door

How South West Township compares with the towns next door

South West Township spent $85 per resident in 2022; the neighbor that reported 2022 spent $605. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Mindenmines$605—
Ozark Townshipestimate$609
Nashville Townshipestimate$1,303
South West Township$85$1,052

Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).

Reach South West Township’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about South West Township’s government

How much does South West Township spend per resident?

About $85 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 $85 was less than 74% of 100 Missouri towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in South West Township?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,052 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.63% of the typical home’s value, vs 0.85% across Missouri. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the town’s assessor.

Who runs South West Township’s government?

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

How did South West Township vote in 2024?

Missouri counts votes by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for South West Township alone. Barton County, where 100% of South West Township lies, voted Trump 85.8%, Harris 13.6% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for South West Township?

0 full-time and 1 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $450 (about $5,400 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents South West Township in the state legislature?

State Senate District 20 (Curtis Trent) and State House District 127 (Ann Kelley). The House district also covers 38 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about South West Township’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 →