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Town Hall · Somerville

Somerville spent more per resident in 2022 than 70% of similar cities

Somerville’s city government spent $1 million on day-to-day services in the year to September 30, 2022, about $711 per resident. Water and other utilities ($44,000) are counted separately.

Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in Texas.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$1.0M
year to September 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$711
In 2022: $711, more than 70% of 346 similar cities
Long-term debt
$79,000
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
12
full-time · 5 part-time · March payroll $54,758
Typical tax bill
$2,600
1.82% of home value · TX 1.49%

What stands out about how Somerville is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $711 per resident, more than 70% of 346 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer24% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $2,600 a year: 1.82% of the home’s value, vs 1.49% across Texas.
Compared with similar places

$711 per resident in 2022: more than 70% of them

Somerville’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($711 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 346 Texas cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $428, and the middle half spent $184–$752. Somerville spent more than 70% of them.

Middle half of the group, $184–$752Median $428Somerville

Includes sewer and trash ($212,000), 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
346

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

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $711 per resident a year, or $1.95 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 25%.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 26%Fees & charges 21%Interest, fines & other 16%Sales taxes 15%Utility sales 14%From the state 7%Other taxes & licenses 1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $1,000; interest on debt $3,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $1.1 million.
About “Other”.46% of Somerville’s day-to-day spending ($477,000) 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

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $2,600 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.82% of the home’s value, vs 1.49% across Texas.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Texas$4,232
Somerville$2,600
$2,600
typical bill a year
1.82%
effective rate
$142,800
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Somerville

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

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

One full-time city employee for every 120 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 (1,443).

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

Administration & buildings3 + 1 pt
Police3 + 1 pt
Sewer & trash2 + 1 pt
Courts, inspections & corrections1 + 1 pt
Roads & transportation1 + 1 pt
Water & other utilities1
Other1
12
full-time
5
part-time
$54,758
payroll for March 2022
$657,096
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$51,000
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
3
sworn police officers
Compared, 2022.Somerville had 8.3 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 295 of the 346 Texas cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 6.1: Somerville had more than 68% 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

Somerville Independent School District

Somerville’s K–12 school district. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Somerville →
$15,354
per pupil · TX $12,815
536
students
$10.9 million
long-term debt

Of the $15,354 per pupil, $8,743 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 45%State 44%Federal 11%

Texas districts overall: 51% local, 36% state, 13% federal.

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Somerville’s votes are counted by county

Texas reports official results by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Somerville alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Burleson County’s results.

President · Burleson County’s results9,365 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican81.0%7,588 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat18.2%1,703 votes

Others: 0.8% (74 votes).

Most votes in Burleson County: Donald J Trump

Texas: Trump 56.1%, Harris 42.5%

The county’s page

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

Burleson 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 Somerville

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Somerville.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Texas HouseState representatives
    Stan Gerdes
  3. 3
    Texas SenateState senator
    Lois Kolkhorst
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Greg Abbott
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Michael T. McCaul
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Texas
    John CornynTed Cruz

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

Reach Somerville’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Somerville’s government

How much does Somerville spend per resident?

About $711 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to September 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $711 was more than 70% of 346 Texas cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Somerville?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,600 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.82% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.49% across Texas. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.

Who runs Somerville’s government?

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

How did Somerville vote in 2024?

Texas counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Somerville alone. Burleson County, where 100% of Somerville lies, voted Trump 81.0%, Harris 18.2% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Somerville?

12 full-time and 5 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $54,758 (about $657,096 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Somerville in the state legislature?

State Senate District 18 (Lois Kolkhorst) and State House District 17 (Stan Gerdes). The House district also covers 19 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Somerville’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 →