District No. 9 Schoolhouse · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0Gilford spent more per resident in 2022 than 89% of similar towns
Gilford’s town government spent $16.5 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2024, about $2,094 per resident.
In 124 days
Most NH towns vote that day. Check Gilford’s site for its own date.
What stands out about how Gilford is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$1,776 per resident in 2022: more than 89% of them
Gilford’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,776 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 46 New Hampshire towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $998, and the middle half spent $834–$1,199. Gilford spent more than 89% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.2 million), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
New Hampshire towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Gilford itself left out).
About $2,094 per resident a year, or $5.74 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 24%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Day-to-day spending is up 27% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Gilford reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.
Day-to-day spending by fiscal year
Per resident: 2022: $1,776 · 2023: $1,757 · 2024: $2,094. Per resident it went from $1,776 to $2,094 (up 18%), partly because the Census population behind it changed from 7,278 to 7,860.
full-time in March 2025, up from 71 in 2022. Both are Census estimates.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
The typical homeowner pays $4,868 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.07% of the home’s value, vs 1.66% across New Hampshire.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Gilford’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 Gilford’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Gilford →
Most New Hampshire towns vote on March 9, 2027
Check Gilford’s own dates: some towns hold the business session on another day or vote by ballot (SB2).
Gilford’s meetings aren’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on its website.
Town website ↗Most New Hampshire towns vote on the second Tuesday in March: officers are elected and warrant articles, including the budget, are decided.
Some towns hold the business session on another day, and some vote by ballot (SB2). Check Gilford’s site for its warrant and dates.
Who’s in charge in Gilford
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
One full-time town employee for every 94 residents
On the payroll in March 2025, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (7,860).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2025
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Gilford School District
Gilford’s K–12 school district. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $23,710 per pupil, $14,743 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.
New Hampshire districts overall: 64% local, 28% state, 8% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Gilford voted in 2024
Official results for Gilford’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican52.0%2,751 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat46.8%2,473 votesOthers: 1.2% (63 votes).
Most votes in Gilford: Donald J Trump
Belknap County: Trump 56.0%, Harris 42.9% · New Hampshire: Harris 50.7%, Trump 47.9%
of Gilford’s 6,161 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across New Hampshire: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Gilford: Kelly Ayotte
Belknap County: Ayotte 61.4%, Craig 36.7% · New Hampshire: Ayotte 53.6%, Craig 44.3%
Most votes in the district: Chris Pappas
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Gilford, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilford | 52.0% | 46.8% | 1.2% | 5,287 |
| Belknap County | 56.0% | 42.9% | 1.1% | 40,676 |
| New Hampshire | 47.9% | 50.7% | 1.5% | 826,189 |
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 Gilford.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: gilfordnh.org ↗
- 2New Hampshire House1 districts, 4 seatsBelknap 64 seats, shared with Gilmanton and Laconia Ward 2 · Open States lists 3 of 4 members
- 3New Hampshire SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of New Hampshire
New Hampshire elects some House members from “floterial” districts that join several towns; districts from RSA 662:5 (2022).
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How Gilford compares with the towns next door
Gilford spent $1,776 per resident in 2022; the 2 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $1,098 to $1,099. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
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 Gilford’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Gilford’s government
How much does Gilford spend per resident?
About $2,094 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2024, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,776 was more than 89% of 46 New Hampshire towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Gilford?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $4,868 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.07% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.66% across New Hampshire. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see gilfordnh.org.
Who runs Gilford’s government?
See gilfordnh.org for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Gilford yet.
How did Gilford vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 52.0%, Kamala D Harris 46.8% (5,287 votes, official results). Belknap County: Trump 56.0%, Harris 42.9%. New Hampshire: Harris 50.7%, Trump 47.9%.
How many people work for Gilford?
84 full-time and 35 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $601,304 (about $7.2M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Gilford in the state legislature?
State Senate District 2 (Tim Lang); State House Belknap 6 (4 seats, shared with Gilmanton and Laconia Ward 2). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
When is town meeting in Gilford?
Most New Hampshire towns vote on the second Tuesday in March (March 9, 2027). Some hold the business session on another day or vote by ballot (SB2), so check gilfordnh.org for Gilford’s own dates.
Ask neighbors about Gilford’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), NH RSA 662:5; legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →