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Downtown Kent 2013Photo: JonRidinger · CC BY-SA 4.0
Town Hall · Kent

Kent spent less per resident in 2022 than 71% of similar cities

Kent’s city government spent $32.7 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2023, about $1,179 per resident. Water and other utilities ($3 million) are counted separately.

Town website
Election Day

Today

General election in Ohio.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2023
$32.7M
year to December 31, 2023
Per resident, 2023
$1,179
In 2022: $1,024, less than 71% of 21 similar cities
Long-term debt
$27.3M
end of 2023, reported
City staff, 2025
195
full-time · 48 part-time · March payroll $1.8M · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$3,463
1.57% of home value · OH 1.31%

What stands out about how Kent is run

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

Agendas posted online6 upcoming meetings posted, with agendas.Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $1,024 per resident, less than 71% of 21 similar cities.A shared school districtShares Kent City School District with 2 other towns.Its own police and fire43 sworn officers and 38 full-time firefighters on the payroll.
★ What stands out · Meetings

6 upcoming meetings at town hall

From Kent’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 2023 budget

About $1,179 per resident a year, or $3.23 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 24%.

Where the money comes from
Income taxes 37%Fees & charges 18%From the state 14%Utility sales 8%From the federal government 7%Interest, fines & other 7%Property taxes 7%Other taxes & licenses 1%Sales taxes <1%From other local governments <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $7.7 million; interest on debt $814,000; payments to other governments $1 million. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $45.3 million.
Compared with similar places

$1,024 per resident in 2022: less than 71% of them

Kent’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,024 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 21 Ohio cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,183, and the middle half spent $1,011–$1,394. Kent spent less than 71% of them.

Middle half of the group, $1,011–$1,394Median $1,183Kent

Includes sewer and trash ($3.4 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
21

Ohio cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Kent itself left out).

Over the years

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

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

Day-to-day spending by fiscal year

2022$30 million
2023$32.7 million

Per resident: 2022: $1,024 · 2023: $1,179. Per resident it went from $1,024 to $1,179 (up 15%), partly because the Census population behind it changed from 29,319 to 27,751.

City staff
195

full-time in March 2025, up from 191 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.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $3,463 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.57% of the home’s value, vs 1.31% across Ohio.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Stow$3,843
Tallmadge$3,572
Franklin Township$3,523
Kent$3,463
Brimfield Township$3,086
Ohio$2,822
$3,463
typical bill a year
1.57%
effective rate
$219,900
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Kent

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

See kentohio.org for Kent’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Kent yet.kentohio.org ↗
Who works for Kent

One full-time city employee for every 142 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 2023 finance file (27,751).

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

Police58 + 6 pt
Fire39
Roads & transportation38
Parks & libraries8 + 29 pt
Administration & buildings15 + 12 pt
Sewer & trash13
Water & other utilities9
Health & welfare7
Housing & development6
Courts, inspections & corrections1 + 1 pt
Other1
195
full-time
48
part-time
$1.8M
payroll for March 2025
$21.3M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$103,200
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
43
sworn police officers
38
full-time firefighters
Estimates.Kent didn’t report its staff figures; these are the Census Bureau’s estimates, so they aren’t compared with other towns.

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

Kent City School District

Kent’s K–12 school district, shared with Sugar Bush Knolls, Franklin Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Kent →
$17,697
per pupil · OH $16,610
3,218
students
$26.7 million
long-term debt

Of the $17,697 per pupil, $11,482 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 59%State 31%Federal 10%

Ohio districts overall: 53% local, 35% state, 12% federal.

Also serving Kent

Field Local School District · $13,134 per pupil

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

Elections · 2024 general election

How Kent voted in 2024

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

President10,026 votes · results as certified
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat69.9%7,009 votes
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican29.1%2,919 votes

Others: 1.0% (98 votes).

Most votes in Kent: Kamala D Harris

Portage County: Trump 57.3%, Harris 41.8% · Ohio: Trump 55.1%, Harris 43.9%

Turnout
44%

of Kent’s 22,724 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Ohio: 64%.

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

U.S. Senate9,942 votes
Sherrod BrownDemocrat71.7%
Bernie MorenoRepublican25.0%
Others3.3%

Most votes in Kent: Sherrod Brown

Portage County: Moreno 51.3%, Brown 45.1% · Ohio: Moreno 50.1%, Brown 46.5%

U.S. House · Ohio’s 14th District383,858 votes
David P JoyceRepublican63.4%
Brian Bob KenderesDemocrat36.6%

Most votes in the district: David P Joyce

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Kent, its county and the state

HarrisTrumpOthersVotes
Kent69.9%29.1%1.0%10,026
Portage County41.8%57.3%0.9%83,181
Ohio43.9%55.1%0.9%5,767,788
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 Kent

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Kent.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Officials: kentohio.org ↗
  2. 2
    Ohio HouseState representatives
    Heidi Workman
  3. 3
    Ohio SenateState senator
    Kristina Roegner
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Mike DeWine
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    David P. Joyce
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Ohio
    Bernie MorenoJon Husted

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

Next door

How Kent compares with the towns next door

Kent spent $1,024 per resident in 2022; the 3 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $564 to $1,059. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

Franklin Township: no reported 2022 figuresBrimfield Township: $564 per resident (2022)Stow: $1,059 per resident (2022)Tallmadge: $1,031 per resident (2022)Franklin TownshipBrimfield TownshipStowTallmadgeKent
Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Brimfield Township$564$3,086
Tallmadge$1,031$3,572
Stow$1,059$3,843
Franklin Townshipestimate$3,523
Kent$1,024$3,463

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 Kent’s government

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

The Handbook →
Official websitekentohio.org ↗

Questions about Kent’s government

How much does Kent spend per resident?

About $1,179 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2023, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,024 was less than 71% of 21 Ohio cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Kent?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $3,463 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.57% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.31% across Ohio. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see kentohio.org.

Who runs Kent’s government?

See kentohio.org for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Kent yet.

How did Kent vote in 2024?

For president, Kamala D Harris 69.9%, Donald J Trump 29.1% (10,026 votes, official results). Portage County: Trump 57.3%, Harris 41.8%. Ohio: Trump 55.1%, Harris 43.9%.

How many people work for Kent?

195 full-time and 48 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $1.8M (about $21.3M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Kent in the state legislature?

State Senate District 27 (Kristina Roegner) and State House District 72 (Heidi Workman). The House district also covers 25 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

When is the next public meeting in Kent?

The next posted meeting is Planning Commission on Tuesday, November 3, at 7:00 pm in 319 S. Water St., from the city’s own agenda portal.

Ask neighbors about Kent’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 →