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Richmond Historical Society, Bell School, Richmond RIPhoto: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0
Town Hall · Richmond

Richmond spent less per resident in 2022 than 89% of similar towns

Richmond’s town government spent $28.1 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $3,454 per resident.

Town website
Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in Rhode Island.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2024
$28.1M
year to June 30, 2024
Per resident, 2024
$3,454
In 2022: $3,357, less than 89% of 18 similar towns
Long-term debt
$5.5M
end of FY2024, reported
Town staff, 2022
31
full-time · 27 part-time · March payroll $209,296 · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$6,362
1.46% of home value · RI 1.21%

What stands out about how Richmond is run

Read from the town’s budget and official records.

Compared with similar places

$3,357 per resident in 2022: less than 89% of them

Richmond’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($3,357 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 $3,976, and the middle half spent $3,433–$4,787. Richmond spent less than 89% of them.

Middle half of the group, $3,433–$4,787Median $3,976Richmond

Includes sewer and trash ($255,000), 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; Richmond itself left out).

Your share of the 2024 budget

About $3,454 per resident a year, or $9.46 a day

Schools are part of the town’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 77% of day-to-day spending.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 65%From the state 26%Fees & charges 3%Interest, fines & other 3%From the federal government 2%Utility sales 1%Other taxes & licenses <1%
Schools included

Richmond 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 $1.6 million; interest on debt $91,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $30 million.
Over the years

Day-to-day spending is up 6% since 2022

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

Day-to-day spending by fiscal year

2022$26.5 million
2023$26.6 million
2024$28.1 million

Per resident: 2022: $3,357 · 2023: $3,263 · 2024: $3,454.

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 $6,362 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.46% of the home’s value, vs 1.21% across Rhode Island.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Hope Valley$6,448
Richmond$6,362
Exeter$5,881
Hopkinton$5,616
South Kingstown$5,338
Wyoming$4,926
Rhode Island$4,900
Carolina$4,375
Charlestown$3,365
$6,362
typical bill a year
1.46%
effective rate
$435,800
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Richmond

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

See richmondri.com for Richmond’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Richmond yet.richmondri.com ↗
Agendas

Richmond’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on richmondri.com ↗.

Who works for Richmond

One full-time town employee for every 263 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (8,144).

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

Police16 + 6 pt
Administration & buildings6 + 6 pt
Roads & transportation6 + 1 pt
Housing & development2 + 8 pt
Other1 + 6 pt
31
full-time
27
part-time
$209,296
payroll for March 2022
$2.5M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$64,600
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
12
sworn police officers
Estimates.Richmond 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

Chariho Regional School District

Richmond’s K–12 school district, shared with Charlestown, Hopkinton. The schools are run by Richmond, so this money is part of the budget above.

Schools in Richmond →
$22,432
per pupil · RI $23,945
3,008
students
$26.1 million
long-term debt

Of the $22,432 per pupil, $13,387 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 65%State 30%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 Richmond voted in 2024

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

President4,971 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican50.2%2,493 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat46.9%2,331 votes

Others: 3.0% (147 votes).

Most votes in Richmond: Donald J Trump

Washington County: Harris 56.0%, Trump 41.1% · Rhode Island: Harris 55.6%, Trump 41.8%

Turnout
79%

of Richmond’s 6,325 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Rhode Island: 62%.

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

U.S. Senate4,856 votes
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat50.0%
Patricia MorganRepublican49.9%
Others0.1%

Most votes in Richmond: Sheldon Whitehouse

Washington County: Whitehouse 58.3%, Morgan 41.6% · Rhode Island: Whitehouse 59.9%, Morgan 39.8%

U.S. House · Rhode Island’s 2nd District262,219 votes
Seth MagazinerDemocrat58.3%
Steven CorviRepublican41.7%

Most votes in the district: Seth Magaziner

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Richmond, its county and the state

TrumpHarrisOthersVotes
Richmond50.2%46.9%3.0%4,971
Washington County41.1%56.0%2.9%76,036
Rhode Island41.8%55.6%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 Richmond

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Richmond.

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 Richmond compares with the towns next door

Richmond spent $3,357 per resident in 2022; the 4 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $2,542 to $3,452. 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
Exeter$2,542 runs schools$5,881
South Kingstown$3,306 runs schools$5,338
Charlestown$3,359 runs schools$3,365
Hopkinton$3,452 runs schools$5,616
Richmond$3,357$6,362

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 Richmond’s government

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

The Handbook →

Questions about Richmond’s government

How much does Richmond spend per resident?

About $3,454 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 $3,357 was less than 89% of 18 Rhode Island towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Richmond?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $6,362 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.46% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.21% across Rhode Island. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see richmondri.com.

Who runs Richmond’s government?

See richmondri.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Richmond yet.

How did Richmond vote in 2024?

For president, Donald J Trump 50.2%, Kamala D Harris 46.9% (4,971 votes, official results). Washington County: Harris 56.0%, Trump 41.1%. Rhode Island: Harris 55.6%, Trump 41.8%.

How many people work for Richmond?

31 full-time and 27 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $209,296 (about $2.5M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Richmond in the state legislature?

State Senate District 34 (Elaine Morgan) and State House District 39 (Megan Cotter). The House district also covers parts of two neighboring towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Richmond’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 →