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Town Hall · Newell

Newell spent more per resident in 2022 than 89% of similar cities

Newell’s city government spent $937,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $1,554 per resident. Water and other utilities ($144,000) are counted separately.

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General election in South Dakota.

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Day-to-day spending, 2022
$937,000
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$1,554
In 2022: $1,554, more than 89% of 124 similar cities
Long-term debt
$342,000
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2025
5
full-time · 8 part-time · March payroll $31,657 · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$1,511
1.07% of home value · SD 1.06%

What stands out about how Newell is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $1,554 per resident, more than 89% of 124 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer28% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Newell School District 09-2 with 3 other towns.Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $1,511 a year: 1.07% of the home’s value, vs 1.06% across South Dakota.
Compared with similar places

$1,554 per resident in 2022: more than 89% of them

Newell’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,554 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 $747, and the middle half spent $370–$1,166. Newell spent more than 89% of them.

Middle half of the group, $370–$1,166Median $747Newell

Includes sewer and trash ($166,000), 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
124

South Dakota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Newell itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $1,554 per resident a year, or $4.26 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 18%.

Where the money comes from
Fees & charges 40%Sales taxes 23%Property taxes 15%Utility sales 13%From the state 6%Other taxes & licenses 1%From other local governments 1%Interest, fines & other 1%
Not in the receipt.Interest on debt $15,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $1.1 million.
About “Other”.41% of Newell’s day-to-day spending ($383,000) is filed by the Census Bureau outside the named functions above, so the receipt can’t say what it buys.
Over the years

No trend yet

Newell reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

City staff
5

full-time in March 2025, down from 6 in 2022. Both are Census estimates.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,511 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.07% of the home’s value, vs 1.06% across South Dakota.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

South Dakota$2,724
Newell$1,511
$1,511
typical bill a year
1.07%
effective rate
$141,300
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Newell’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. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.

Tax bills are one input to Newell’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Newell →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Newell

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

Check Newell’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Newell yet.
Who works for Newell

One full-time city employee for every 121 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 2022 finance file (603).

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

Parks & libraries1 + 6 pt
Administration & buildings2
Sewer & trash1 + 1 pt
Roads & transportation1
Other0 + 1 pt
5
full-time
8
part-time
$31,657
payroll for March 2025
$379,884
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$57,900
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.Newell had 10.0 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 100 of the 124 South Dakota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 0.0: Newell had more than 88% 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

Newell School District 09-2

Newell’s K–12 school district, shared with Nisland, Union Township, Vale Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Newell →
$15,794
per pupil · SD $13,040
243
students
$1.6 million
long-term debt

Of the $15,794 per pupil, $8,416 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 57%State 29%Federal 14%

South Dakota districts overall: 50% local, 31% state, 19% federal.

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Newell’s votes are counted by county

South Dakota reports official results by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Newell alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Butte County’s results.

President · Butte County’s results5,082 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican79.2%4,024 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat18.5%942 votes

Others: 2.3% (116 votes).

Most votes in Butte County: Donald J Trump

South Dakota: Trump 63.4%, Harris 34.2%

The county’s page

100% of Newell lies in Butte County. Every 2024 race in Butte County is on the county’s page.

Butte County’s 2024 results →
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 Newell

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Newell.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    South Dakota HouseState representatives
    Travis Ismay
  3. 3
    South Dakota SenateState senator
    Sam Marty
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Larry Rhoden
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Dusty Johnson
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of South Dakota
    John ThuneMike Rounds

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

Reach Newell’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Newell’s government

How much does Newell spend per resident?

About $1,554 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 $1,554 was more than 89% of 124 South Dakota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Newell?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,511 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.07% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.06% across South Dakota. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.

Who runs Newell’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Newell yet.

How did Newell vote in 2024?

South Dakota counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Newell alone. Butte County, where 100% of Newell lies, voted Trump 79.2%, Harris 18.5% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Newell?

5 full-time and 8 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $31,657 (about $379,884 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Newell in the state legislature?

State Senate District 28 (Sam Marty) and State House District 28B (Travis Ismay). The House district also covers 24 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Newell’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 →