Dolton spent less per resident in 2022 than 84% of similar cities
Dolton’s town government spent $15,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2024, about $441 per resident.
What stands out about how Dolton is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$256 per resident in 2022: less than 84% of them
Dolton’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($256 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 124 South Dakota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $770, and the middle half spent $378–$1,182. Dolton spent less than 84% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
South Dakota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Dolton itself left out).
About $441 per resident a year, or $1.21 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 80%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Day-to-day spending is up 50% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Dolton reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.
Day-to-day spending by fiscal year
Per resident: 2022: $256 · 2024: $441. Per resident it went from $256 to $441 (up 72%), partly because the Census population behind it changed from 39 to 34.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
Who’s in charge in Dolton
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Marion School District 60-3
Dolton’s K–12 school district, shared with Dolton Township, Marion, Monroe, Monroe Township, Marion Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $16,198 per pupil, $8,486 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.
South Dakota districts overall: 50% local, 31% state, 19% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
Dolton’s votes are counted by county
South Dakota reports official results by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for Dolton alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Turner County’s results.
Donald J TrumpRepublican74.3%3,374 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat23.0%1,044 votesOthers: 2.6% (120 votes).
Most votes in Turner County: Donald J Trump
South Dakota: Trump 63.4%, Harris 34.2%
100% of Dolton lies in Turner County. Every 2024 race in Turner County is on the county’s page.
Turner County’s 2024 results →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 Dolton.
- 1Your townTown governmentLocal officials aren’t on record yet.
- 2South Dakota HouseState representatives
- 3South Dakota SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of South Dakota
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
Reach Dolton’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about Dolton’s government
How much does Dolton spend per resident?
About $441 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 $256 was less than 84% of 124 South Dakota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
Who runs Dolton’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Dolton yet.
How did Dolton vote in 2024?
South Dakota counts votes by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for Dolton alone. Turner County, where 100% of Dolton lies, voted Trump 74.3%, Harris 23.0% for president; its page has every race.
How many people work for Dolton?
0 full-time and 4 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $210 (about $2,520 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Dolton in the state legislature?
State Senate District 16 (Kevin Jensen) and State House District 16 (John Shubeck and Karla Lems). The House district also covers 54 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Dolton’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 →