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Southold Free Library facade (view from Main Street)Photo: Kosboot · CC BY-SA 4.0
Town Hall · Southold

Southold spent more per resident in 2022 than 98% of similar towns

Southold’s town government spent $49 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2024, about $2,047 per resident. Water and other utilities ($3.3 million) are counted separately.

Town website
Next public meeting

General

9:00 am · 54375 Route 25

All meetings →
Day-to-day spending, 2024
$49.0M
year to December 31, 2024
Per resident, 2024
$2,047
In 2022: $2,016, more than 98% of 83 similar towns
Long-term debt
$26.5M
end of 2024, reported
Town staff, 2025
240
full-time · 76 part-time · March payroll $2.1M
Typical tax bill
$7,797
0.91% of home value · NY 1.55%

What stands out about how Southold is run

Read from the town’s budget, meetings and official records.

Agendas posted online6 upcoming meetings posted, with agendas.Spends more than most similar townsIn 2022: $2,016 per resident, more than 98% of 83 similar towns.More of its voters turn out79% of adult citizens voted for president in 2024, vs 59% across New York.Results of its own14,404 votes for president in 2024, counted for Southold itself.
★ What stands out · Meetings

6 upcoming meetings at town hall

From Southold’s own agenda portal, checked daily. Agendas can change up to the meeting, so check before you go.

Recent meetings

Go in person

Most meetings are open to the public, and many have a public comment period at the start.

Agenda portal ↗
Your share of the 2024 budget

About $2,047 per resident a year, or $5.61 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 19%.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 56%Other taxes & licenses 18%Fees & charges 13%Interest, fines & other 6%From other local governments 2%From the federal government 2%From the state 2%Sales taxes 1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $15.2 million; interest on debt $695,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $72.8 million.
About “Other”.42% of Southold’s day-to-day spending ($20.6 million) is filed by the Census Bureau outside the named functions above, so the receipt can’t say what it buys.
Compared with similar places

$2,016 per resident in 2022: more than 98% of them

Southold’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($2,016 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 83 New York towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $543, and the middle half spent $373–$818. Southold spent more than 98% of them.

Middle half of the group, $373–$818Median $543Southold

Includes sewer and trash ($4.4 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 →

The group
83

New York towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Southold itself left out).

Over the years

Day-to-day spending is up 9% since 2022

Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Southold reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.

Day-to-day spending by fiscal year

2022$44.9 million
2023$45.5 million
2024$49 million

Per resident: 2022: $2,016 · 2023: $1,909 · 2024: $2,047. Per resident it went from $2,016 to $2,047 (up 2%), partly because the Census population behind it changed from 22,282 to 23,912.

Town staff
240

full-time in March 2025, up from 233 in 2022.

Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $7,797 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.91% of the home’s value, vs 1.55% across New York.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Northville$10,000+
Laurel$8,838
Greenport West$8,688
Riverhead$8,423
Southold$7,797
Mattituck$7,608
East Hampton$7,564
Shelter Island Heights$7,133
New York$6,582
Shelter Island$5,949
$7,797
typical bill a year
0.91%
effective rate
$859,300
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Southold

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

See southoldtownny.gov for Southold’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Southold yet.southoldtownny.gov ↗
Who works for Southold

One full-time town employee for every 100 residents

On the payroll in March 2025, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (23,912).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2025

Police74 + 12 pt
Roads & transportation56 + 18 pt
Administration & buildings34 + 24 pt
Health & welfare16 + 6 pt
Courts, inspections & corrections11 + 7 pt
Sewer & trash12 + 1 pt
Housing & development0 + 2 pt
Parks & libraries1
Other36 + 6 pt
240
full-time
76
part-time
$2.1M
payroll for March 2025
$25.6M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$99,800
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
59
sworn police officers
Compared, 2022.Southold had 10.5 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 68 of the 83 New York towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 2.7: Southold had more than 99% 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

Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District

Southold’s K–12 school district. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Southold →
$39,490
per pupil · NY $34,607
974
students
$7.6 million
long-term debt

Of the $39,490 per pupil, $25,513 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 89%State 9%Federal 2%

New York districts overall: 51% local, 41% state, 8% federal.

Also serving Southold

Southold Union Free School District · $47,149 per pupil

Oysterponds Union Free School District · $46,706 per pupil

Greenport Union Free School District · $31,190 per pupil

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

Elections · 2024 general election

How Southold voted in 2024

Official results for Southold’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.

President14,404 votes · results as certified
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat52.5%7,566 votes
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican46.4%6,682 votes

Others: 1.1% (156 votes).

Most votes in Southold: Kamala D Harris

Suffolk County: Trump 54.3%, Harris 44.4% · New York: Harris 55.9%, Trump 43.3%

Turnout
79%

of Southold’s 18,270 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across New York: 59%.

Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).

U.S. Senate14,090 votes
Kirsten E GillibrandDemocrat54.2%
Michael D SapraiconeRepublican45.6%
Others0.2%

Most votes in Southold: Kirsten E Gillibrand

Suffolk County: Sapraicone 52.5%, Gillibrand 47.1% · New York: Gillibrand 58.8%, Sapraicone 40.5%

U.S. House · New York’s 1st District409,825 votes
Nicholas J LalotaRepublican55.2%
John P AvlonDemocrat44.8%

Most votes in the district: Nicholas J Lalota

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Southold, its county and the state

HarrisTrumpOthersVotes
Southold52.5%46.4%1.1%14,404
Suffolk County44.4%54.3%1.3%769,435
New York55.9%43.3%0.8%8,262,600
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 Southold

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Southold.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
    Officials: southoldtownny.gov ↗
  2. 2
    New York AssemblyState representatives
    Tommy John Schiavoni
  3. 3
    New York SenateState senator
    Tony Palumbo
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Kathy Hochul
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Nick LaLota
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of New York
    Charles E. SchumerKirsten E. Gillibrand

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

Next door

How Southold compares with the towns next door

Southold spent $2,016 per resident in 2022; the 3 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $2,029 to $5,161. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

East Hampton: $3,356 per resident (2022)Shelter Island: $5,161 per resident (2022)Riverhead: $2,029 per resident (2022)Shelter Island Heights: unincorporated, no town budgetGreenport West: unincorporated, no town budgetNorthville: unincorporated, no town budgetMattituck: unincorporated, no town budgetEast Marion: unincorporated, no town budgetLaurel: unincorporated, no town budgetEast HamptonShelter IslandRiverheadShelter Island HeightsGreenport WestNorthvilleMattituckEast MarionLaurelSouthold
Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Riverhead$2,029$8,423
East Hampton$3,356$7,564
Shelter Island$5,161$5,949
Southold$2,016$7,797

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 Southold’s government

The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.

The Handbook →
Official websitesoutholdtownny.gov ↗

Questions about Southold’s government

How much does Southold spend per resident?

About $2,047 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 $2,016 was more than 98% of 83 New York towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Southold?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $7,797 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.91% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.55% across New York. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see southoldtownny.gov.

Who runs Southold’s government?

See southoldtownny.gov for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Southold yet.

How did Southold vote in 2024?

For president, Kamala D Harris 52.5%, Donald J Trump 46.4% (14,404 votes, official results). Suffolk County: Trump 54.3%, Harris 44.4%. New York: Harris 55.9%, Trump 43.3%.

How many people work for Southold?

240 full-time and 76 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $2.1M (about $25.6M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Southold in the state legislature?

State Senate District 1 (Tony Palumbo) and Assembly District 1 (Tommy John Schiavoni). The Assembly district also covers 14 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

When is the next public meeting in Southold?

The next posted meeting is General on Wednesday, November 4, at 9:00 am in 54375 Route 25, from the town’s own agenda portal.

Ask neighbors about Southold’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 →