Photo: Weatherman1126 · Public domainOberlin spent more per resident in 2022 than 86% of similar cities
Oberlin’s city government spent $14.3 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $1,761 per resident. That is its newest year reported to the Census Bureau. Water and other utilities ($11.4 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Oberlin is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$1,761 per resident in 2022: more than 86% of them
Oberlin’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,761 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 106 Ohio cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $916, and the middle half spent $666–$1,157. Oberlin spent more than 86% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.4 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 →
Ohio cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Oberlin itself left out).
About $1,761 per resident a year, or $4.82 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 42%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Oberlin reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau (2023 is an estimate), so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $2,936 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.30% of the home’s value, vs 1.31% across Ohio.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Oberlin’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 Oberlin’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Oberlin →
Who’s in charge in Oberlin
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Oberlin’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on cityofoberlin.com ↗.
One full-time city employee for every 69 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 (8,132).
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.
Oberlin City School District
Oberlin’s K–12 school district, shared with New Russia Township, Pittsfield Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $22,327 per pupil, $13,488 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.
Ohio districts overall: 53% local, 35% state, 12% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Oberlin voted in 2024
Official results for Oberlin’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat88.1%4,114 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican11.4%531 votesOthers: 0.5% (23 votes).
Most votes in Oberlin: Kamala D Harris
Lorain County: Trump 52.4%, Harris 46.7% · Ohio: Trump 55.1%, Harris 43.9%
of Oberlin’s 7,114 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Ohio: 64%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Oberlin: Sherrod Brown
Lorain County: Brown 50.8%, Moreno 46.0% · Ohio: Moreno 50.1%, Brown 46.5%
Most votes in the district: Bob Latta
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Oberlin, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oberlin | 88.1% | 11.4% | 0.5% | 4,668 |
| Lorain County | 46.7% | 52.4% | 0.9% | 158,959 |
| Ohio | 43.9% | 55.1% | 0.9% | 5,767,788 |
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 Oberlin.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: cityofoberlin.com ↗
- 2Ohio HouseState representatives
- 3Ohio SenateState senatorDistrict 13
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Ohio
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How Oberlin compares with the towns next door
Oberlin spent $1,761 per resident in 2022; the neighbor that reported 2022 spent $43. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| New Russia Township | $43 | $2,967 |
| Pittsfield Township | estimate | $2,912 |
| Oberlin | $1,761 | $2,936 |
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 Oberlin’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Oberlin’s government
How much does Oberlin spend per resident?
About $1,761 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 $1,761 was more than 86% of 106 Ohio cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Oberlin?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,936 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.30% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.31% across Ohio. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see cityofoberlin.com.
Who runs Oberlin’s government?
See cityofoberlin.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Oberlin yet.
How did Oberlin vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 88.1%, Donald J Trump 11.4% (4,668 votes, official results). Lorain County: Trump 52.4%, Harris 46.7%. Ohio: Trump 55.1%, Harris 43.9%.
How many people work for Oberlin?
118 full-time and 53 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $739,268 (about $8.9M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Oberlin in the state legislature?
State Senate District 13 and State House District 54 (Kellie Deeter). The House district also covers 48 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Oberlin’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 →