South Padre Island spent more per resident in 2022 than 100% of similar cities
South Padre Island’s town government spent $22.8 million on day-to-day services in the year to September 30, 2023, about $11,083 per resident. Water and other utilities ($1.8 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how South Padre Island is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$8,082 per resident in 2022: more than 100% of them
South Padre Island’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($8,082 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 175 Texas cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $880, and the middle half spent $630–$1,278. South Padre Island spent more than 100% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Texas cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; South Padre Island itself left out).
About $11,083 per resident a year, or $30.36 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 15%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Day-to-day spending is up 3% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years South Padre Island 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: $8,082 · 2023: $11,083. Per resident it went from $8,082 to $11,083 (up 37%), partly because the Census population behind it changed from 2,752 to 2,061.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
The typical homeowner pays $6,293 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.22% of the home’s value, vs 1.49% across Texas.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at South Padre Island’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 South Padre Island’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in South Padre Island →
Who’s in charge in South Padre Island
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
One full-time town employee for every 10 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 2023 finance file (2,061).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Point Isabel Independent School District
South Padre Island’s K–12 school district, shared with Laguna Vista, Port Isabel. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $17,449 per pupil, $8,725 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.
Texas districts overall: 51% local, 36% state, 13% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
South Padre Island’s votes are counted by county
Texas reports official results by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for South Padre Island alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Cameron County’s results.
Donald J TrumpRepublican52.4%60,991 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat46.6%54,258 votesOthers: 0.9% (1,060 votes).
Most votes in Cameron County: Donald J Trump
Texas: Trump 56.1%, Harris 42.5%
100% of South Padre Island lies in Cameron County. Every 2024 race in Cameron County is on the county’s page.
Cameron 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 South Padre Island.
- 1Your townTown governmentLocal officials aren’t on record yet.
- 2Texas HouseState representatives
- 3Texas SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Texas
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
Reach South Padre Island’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about South Padre Island’s government
How much does South Padre Island spend per resident?
About $11,083 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to September 30, 2023, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $8,082 was more than 100% of 175 Texas cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in South Padre Island?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $6,293 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.22% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.49% across Texas. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the town’s assessor.
Who runs South Padre Island’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for South Padre Island yet.
How did South Padre Island vote in 2024?
Texas counts votes by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for South Padre Island alone. Cameron County, where 100% of South Padre Island lies, voted Trump 52.4%, Harris 46.6% for president; its page has every race.
How many people work for South Padre Island?
211 full-time and 188 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $2.2M (about $26.0M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents South Padre Island in the state legislature?
State Senate District 27 (Adam Hinojosa) and State House District 37 (Janie Lopez). The House district also covers 17 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about South Padre Island’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 →