River Bend spent less per resident in 2022 than 70% of similar cities
River Bend’s town government spent $1.9 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $620 per resident. Water and other utilities ($359,000) are counted separately.
What stands out about how River Bend is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$620 per resident in 2022: less than 70% of them
River Bend’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($620 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 119 North Carolina cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $984, and the middle half spent $462–$1,448. River Bend spent less than 70% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($422,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
North Carolina cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; River Bend itself left out).
About $620 per resident a year, or $1.70 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 31%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
River Bend reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $1,662 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.62% of the home’s value, vs 0.66% across North Carolina.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at River Bend’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 River Bend’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in River Bend →
Who’s in charge in River Bend
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
River Bend’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on riverbendnc.org ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 167 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 (3,006).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Craven County Schools
River Bend’s K–12 school district, shared with Bridgeton, Cove City, Dover, Havelock, New Bern and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $12,672 per pupil, $7,291 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.
North Carolina districts overall: 26% local, 57% state, 17% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
River Bend’s votes are counted by county
North Carolina reports official results by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for River Bend alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Craven County’s results.
Donald J TrumpRepublican59.7%33,220 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat39.1%21,747 votesOthers: 1.2% (678 votes).
Most votes in Craven County: Donald J Trump
North Carolina: Trump 50.9%, Harris 47.6%
100% of River Bend lies in Craven County. Every 2024 race in Craven County is on the county’s page.
Craven 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 River Bend.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: riverbendnc.org ↗
- 2North Carolina HouseState representatives
- 3North Carolina SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of North Carolina
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
Reach River Bend’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about River Bend’s government
How much does River Bend spend per resident?
About $620 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 $620 was less than 70% of 119 North Carolina cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in River Bend?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,662 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.62% of the typical home’s value, vs 0.66% across North Carolina. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see riverbendnc.org.
Who runs River Bend’s government?
See riverbendnc.org for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for River Bend yet.
How did River Bend vote in 2024?
North Carolina counts votes by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for River Bend alone. Craven County, where 100% of River Bend lies, voted Trump 59.7%, Harris 39.1% for president; its page has every race.
How many people work for River Bend?
18 full-time and 10 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $75,433 (about $905,196 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents River Bend in the state legislature?
State Senate District 3 (Bob Brinson) and State House District 3 (Steve Tyson). The House district also covers seven other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about River Bend’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 →