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Jamestown WindmillPhoto: Swampyank at English Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0
Town Hall · Jamestown

Jamestown spent more per resident in 2022 than 83% of similar towns

Jamestown’s town government spent $27.7 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $5,003 per resident. Water and other utilities ($984,000) are counted separately.

Town website
Day-to-day spending, 2024
$27.7M
year to June 30, 2024
Per resident, 2024
$5,003
In 2022: $4,975, more than 83% of 18 similar towns
Long-term debt
$20.1M
end of FY2024, reported
Town staff, 2022
144
full-time · 49 part-time · March payroll $975,900
Typical tax bill
$5,047
0.60% of home value · RI 1.21%

What stands out about how Jamestown is run

Read from the town’s budget and official records.

Compared with similar places

$4,975 per resident in 2022: more than 83% of them

Jamestown’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($4,975 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 18 Rhode Island towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that run their own schools: the median was $3,918, and the middle half spent $3,376–$4,369. Jamestown spent more than 83% of them.

Middle half of the group, $3,376–$4,369Median $3,918Jamestown

Includes sewer and trash ($1.3 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
18

Rhode Island towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Jamestown itself left out).

Your share of the 2024 budget

About $5,003 per resident a year, or $13.71 a day

Schools are part of the town’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 55% of day-to-day spending.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 72%Fees & charges 8%From the state 7%Interest, fines & other 6%Utility sales 4%Other taxes & licenses 2%Sales taxes <1%From the federal government <1%
Schools included

Jamestown runs its own schools, so school spending is part of this budget. Comparisons are with Rhode Island towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that run their own schools.

Not in the receipt.Building projects $5.7 million; interest on debt $545,000; payments to other governments $3 million. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $38.2 million.
Over the years

Day-to-day spending is up 2% since 2022

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

Day-to-day spending by fiscal year

2022$27.3 million
2024$27.7 million

Per resident: 2022: $4,975 · 2024: $5,003.

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 $5,047 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.60% of the home’s value, vs 1.21% across Rhode Island.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

North Kingstown$6,396
Portsmouth$6,318
Middletown$6,153
Newport$5,264
Jamestown$5,047
Rhode Island$4,900
Narragansett$4,695
$5,047
typical bill a year
0.60%
effective rate
$842,400
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Jamestown

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

See jamestownri.net for Jamestown’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Jamestown yet.jamestownri.net ↗
Agendas

Jamestown’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on jamestownri.net ↗.

Who works for Jamestown

One full-time town employee for every 38 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (5,538).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Schools83 + 39 pt
Police22
Administration & buildings12
Roads & transportation12
Parks & libraries7 + 8 pt
Sewer & trash4
Water & other utilities2
Fire1
Courts, inspections & corrections0 + 1 pt
Other1 + 1 pt
144
full-time
49
part-time
$975,900
payroll for March 2022
$11.7M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$73,100
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
14
sworn police officers
1
full-time firefighters
Compared, 2022.Jamestown had 26.3 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 10 of the 18 Rhode Island towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 24.7: Jamestown had more than 60% 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

Jamestown School District

Jamestown’s elementary school district. The schools are run by Jamestown, so this money is part of the budget above.

Schools in Jamestown →
$25,995
per pupil · RI $23,945
412
students
$2.5 million
long-term debt

Of the $25,995 per pupil, $15,029 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 85%State 10%Federal 5%

Rhode Island districts overall: 48% local, 40% state, 13% federal.

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

Elections · 2024 general election

How Jamestown voted in 2024

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

President3,946 votes · results as certified
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat67.3%2,657 votes
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican29.7%1,171 votes

Others: 3.0% (118 votes).

Most votes in Jamestown: Kamala D Harris

Newport County: Harris 61.3%, Trump 35.9% · Rhode Island: Harris 55.6%, Trump 41.8%

Turnout
84%

of Jamestown’s 4,694 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Rhode Island: 62%.

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

U.S. Senate3,886 votes
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat68.4%
Patricia MorganRepublican31.4%
Others0.2%

Most votes in Jamestown: Sheldon Whitehouse

Newport County: Whitehouse 63.2%, Morgan 36.7% · Rhode Island: Whitehouse 59.9%, Morgan 39.8%

U.S. House · Rhode Island’s 1st District219,690 votes
Gabriel AmoDemocrat63.1%
Allen R WatersRepublican32.2%
Others4.8%

Most votes in the district: Gabriel Amo

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Jamestown, its county and the state

HarrisTrumpOthersVotes
Jamestown67.3%29.7%3.0%3,946
Newport County61.3%35.9%2.8%44,618
Rhode Island55.6%41.8%2.6%513,086
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 Jamestown

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Jamestown.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
  2. 2
    Rhode Island HouseState representatives
  3. 3
    Rhode Island SenateState senator
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Rhode Island

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

Next door

How Jamestown compares with the towns next door

Jamestown spent $4,975 per resident in 2022; the 4 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $4,413 to $5,376. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Portsmouth$4,413 runs schools$6,318
North Kingstown$4,574 runs schools$6,396
Middletown$4,912 runs schools$6,153
Newport$5,376 runs schools$5,264
Narragansettestimate$4,695
Jamestown$4,975$5,047

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 Jamestown’s government

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

The Handbook →

Questions about Jamestown’s government

How much does Jamestown spend per resident?

About $5,003 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $4,975 was more than 83% of 18 Rhode Island towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Jamestown?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $5,047 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.60% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.21% across Rhode Island. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see jamestownri.net.

Who runs Jamestown’s government?

See jamestownri.net for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Jamestown yet.

How did Jamestown vote in 2024?

For president, Kamala D Harris 67.3%, Donald J Trump 29.7% (3,946 votes, official results). Newport County: Harris 61.3%, Trump 35.9%. Rhode Island: Harris 55.6%, Trump 41.8%.

How many people work for Jamestown?

144 full-time and 49 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $975,900 (about $11.7M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Jamestown in the state legislature?

State Senate District 13 (Dawn Euer) and State House District 74 (Alex Finkelman). The House district also covers parts of 1 neighboring town. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Jamestown’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 →