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Roswell Butler House in front of Camel's Hump 2020Photo: Dylanvt · CC BY-SA 4.0
Town Hall · Essex

Essex spent less per resident in 2022 than 80% of similar towns

Essex’s town government spent $16.6 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $743 per resident. Water and other utilities ($1.7 million) are counted separately.

Town website
Next public meeting

Economic Development Commission

8:00 am · Town Office Conference Room, 81 Main Street

All meetings →
Day-to-day spending, 2024
$16.6M
year to June 30, 2024
Per resident, 2024
$743
In 2022: $732, less than 80% of 30 similar towns
Long-term debt
$4.3M
end of FY2024, reported
Town staff, 2025
76
full-time · 35 part-time · March payroll $594,466
Typical tax bill
$6,602
1.48% of home value · VT 1.59%

What stands out about how Essex is run

Read from the town’s budget, meetings and official records.

Agendas posted online6 upcoming meetings posted, with agendas.Spends less than most similar townsIn 2022: $732 per resident, less than 80% of 30 similar towns.Runs its own water & sewer20% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2024).A shared school districtShares Essex-Westford Educational Community Unified School District with 2 other towns.
★ What stands out · Meetings

6 upcoming meetings at town hall

From Essex’s own agenda portal, checked daily. Agendas can change up to the meeting, so check before you go.

Recent meetings

Town Meeting Day
Tue, Mar 2

Vermont’s Town Meeting Day is the first Tuesday in March, when towns vote on budgets and elect officers.

Some towns hold the business session on another day, and some vote by ballot (SB2). Check Essex’s site for its warrant and dates.

Go in person

Most meetings are open to the public, and many have a public comment period at the start.

Agenda portal ↗
Your share of the 2024 budget

About $743 per resident a year, or $2.04 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 22%.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 48%Fees & charges 24%From the state 16%Utility sales 7%Interest, fines & other 4%Other taxes & licenses <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $6.8 million; interest on debt $181,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $25.3 million.
Compared with similar places

$732 per resident in 2022: less than 80% of them

Essex’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($732 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 30 Vermont towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,106, and the middle half spent $859–$1,375. Essex spent less than 80% of them.

Middle half of the group, $859–$1,375Median $1,106Essex

Includes sewer and trash ($1.9 million), 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
30

Vermont towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Essex itself left out).

Over the years

Day-to-day spending is up 4% since 2022

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

Day-to-day spending by fiscal year

2022$16 million
2023$17.4 million
2024$16.6 million

Per resident: 2022: $732 · 2023: $781 · 2024: $743.

Town staff
76

full-time in March 2025, up from 75 in 2022. Both are Census estimates.

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 $6,602 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.48% of the home’s value, vs 1.59% across Vermont.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Jericho$7,318
Essex Junction$6,797
Underhill$6,697
South Burlington$6,674
Essex$6,602
Westford$6,282
Williston$5,592
Colchester$5,471
Vermont$5,039
$6,602
typical bill a year
1.48%
effective rate
$447,300
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Essex

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

See essex.org for Essex’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Essex yet.essex.org ↗
Who works for Essex

One full-time town employee for every 295 residents

On the payroll in March 2025, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (22,408).

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

Police29 + 10 pt
Administration & buildings18 + 4 pt
Roads & transportation15 + 2 pt
Parks & libraries10 + 7 pt
Fire0 + 8 pt
Courts, inspections & corrections2 + 3 pt
Water & other utilities2
Health & welfare0 + 1 pt
76
full-time
35
part-time
$594,466
payroll for March 2025
$7.1M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$86,800
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
24
sworn police officers
Not compared.Staff are compared with the same group as the budget, and Essex’s 2022 budget was a Census estimate, so there is no group to compare with.

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

Essex-Westford Educational Community Unified School District

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

Schools in Essex →
$31,700
per pupil · VT $25,064
3,685
students
$1.8 million
long-term debt

Of the $31,700 per pupil, $18,438 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 8%State 87%Federal 5%

Vermont districts overall: 5% local, 89% state, 6% federal.

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

Elections · 2024 general election

How Essex voted in 2024

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

President7,157 votes · results as certified
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat69.4%4,965 votes
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican27.1%1,936 votes

Others: 3.6% (256 votes).

Most votes in Essex: Kamala D Harris

Chittenden County: Harris 74.6%, Trump 21.5% · Vermont: Harris 63.8%, Trump 32.3%

Turnout
82%

of Essex’s 8,764 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Vermont: 71%.

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

U.S. Senate7,065 votes
Bernie Sanders67.1%
Gerald MalloyRepublican29.2%
Others3.7%

Most votes in Essex: Bernie Sanders

Chittenden County: Sanders 73.3%, Malloy 23.0% · Vermont: Sanders 63.2%, Malloy 32.1%

Governor7,057 votes
Phil ScottRepublican77.8%
Esther Charlestin19.4%
Others2.8%

Most votes in Essex: Phil Scott

Chittenden County: Scott 69.2%, Charlestin 27.6% · Vermont: Scott 73.4%, Charlestin 21.8%

U.S. House · Vermont’s at-large district350,616 votes
Becca BalintDemocrat62.3%
Mark Coester29.8%
Others7.9%

Most votes in the district: Becca Balint

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Essex, its county and the state

HarrisTrumpOthersVotes
Essex69.4%27.1%3.6%7,157
Chittenden County74.6%21.5%3.8%97,329
Vermont63.8%32.3%3.9%369,422
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 Essex

From town hall to Washington

Essex sends 5 representatives to the Vermont House alone.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
    Officials: essex.org ↗
  2. 2
    Vermont HouseEssex is split between 3 districts
    Alyssa BlackLeonora DodgeRey GarofanoKaren DolanLori Houghton
  3. 3
    Vermont SenateState senator
    Chris MattosMartine GulickPhil BaruthTanya Vyhovsky
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Phil Scott
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Becca Balint
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Vermont
    Bernard SandersPeter Welch
Find your state legislators by address ↗

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

Next door

How Essex compares with the towns next door

Essex spent $732 per resident in 2022; the 5 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $759 to $1,528. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

Williston: $1,171 per resident (2022)Essex Junction: $1,260 per resident (2022)South Burlington: $1,528 per resident (2022)Jericho: no reported 2022 figuresWestford: no reported 2022 figuresColchester: $1,092 per resident (2022)Underhill: $759 per resident (2022)WillistonEssex JunctionSouth BurlingtonJerichoWestfordColchesterUnderhillEssex
Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Underhill$759$6,697
Colchester$1,092$5,471
Williston$1,171$5,592
Essex Junction$1,260$6,797
South Burlington$1,528$6,674
Jerichoestimate$7,318
Westfordestimate$6,282
Essex$732$6,602

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 Essex’s government

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

The Handbook →
Official websiteessex.org ↗

Questions about Essex’s government

How much does Essex spend per resident?

About $743 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 $732 was less than 80% of 30 Vermont towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Essex?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $6,602 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.48% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.59% across Vermont. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see essex.org.

Who runs Essex’s government?

See essex.org for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Essex yet.

How did Essex vote in 2024?

For president, Kamala D Harris 69.4%, Donald J Trump 27.1% (7,157 votes, official results). Chittenden County: Harris 74.6%, Trump 21.5%. Vermont: Harris 63.8%, Trump 32.3%.

How many people work for Essex?

76 full-time and 35 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $594,466 (about $7.1M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Essex in the state legislature?

Essex is split among 3 State House districts and 2 State Senate districts, so your address decides. The Vermont Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

When is town meeting in Essex?

Most Vermont towns vote on the first Tuesday in March (March 2, 2027). Some hold the business session on another day or vote by ballot (SB2), so check essex.org for Essex’s own dates.

When is the next public meeting in Essex?

The next posted meeting is Economic Development Commission on Thursday, November 5, at 8:00 am in Town Office Conference Room, 81 Main Street, from the town’s own agenda portal.

Ask neighbors about Essex’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 →