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Town Hall · Washington

Washington spent less per resident in 2022 than 98% of similar towns

Washington’s town government spent $1.1 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $146 per resident.

Town website
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$1.1M
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$146
In 2022: $146, less than 98% of 127 similar towns
Long-term debt
Not reported
end of 2022, reported
Town staff, 2022
4
full-time · 11 part-time · March payroll $22,463
Typical tax bill
$3,952
1.08% of home value · WI 1.42%

What stands out about how Washington is run

Read from the town’s budget and official records.

Compared with similar places

$146 per resident in 2022: less than 98% of them

Washington’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($146 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 127 Wisconsin towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $358, and the middle half spent $277–$438. Washington spent less than 98% of them.

Middle half of the group, $277–$438Median $358Washington

Includes sewer and trash ($9,000), 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
127

Wisconsin towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Washington itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $146 per resident a year, or $0.40 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 43%.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 64%From the state 26%Other taxes & licenses 5%Fees & charges 3%Interest, fines & other 1%From other local governments <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $483,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $1.7 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

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

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $3,952 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.08% of the home’s value, vs 1.42% across Wisconsin.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Pleasant Valley$4,522
Washington$3,952
Lincoln$3,900
Wisconsin$3,792
Eau Claire$3,553
Altoona$3,535
Brunswick$3,473
Seymour$3,123
$3,952
typical bill a year
1.08%
effective rate
$367,300
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Washington

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

See townofwashington.org for Washington’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Washington yet.townofwashington.org ↗
Agendas

Washington’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on townofwashington.org ↗.

Who works for Washington

One full-time town employee for every 1,938 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 (7,752).

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

Administration & buildings0 + 11 pt
Roads & transportation4
4
full-time
11
part-time
$22,463
payroll for March 2022
$269,556
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$55,600
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.Washington had 0.5 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 96 of the 127 Wisconsin towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 0.7: Washington had fewer than 62% 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

Eau Claire Area School District

Washington’s K–12 school district, shared with Eau Claire, Union, Brunswick, Pleasant Valley, Rock Creek and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Washington →
$15,347
per pupil · WI $16,459
10,866
students
$120.3 million
long-term debt

Of the $15,347 per pupil, $9,227 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 35%State 55%Federal 10%

Wisconsin districts overall: 39% local, 50% state, 11% federal.

Also serving Washington

Fall Creek School District · $11,629 per pupil

Altoona School District · $14,177 per pupil

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

Elections · 2024 general election

How Washington voted in 2024

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

President5,042 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican49.5%2,495 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat48.9%2,464 votes

Others: 1.6% (83 votes).

Most votes in Washington: Donald J Trump

Eau Claire County: Harris 54.5%, Trump 43.9% · Wisconsin: Trump 49.6%, Harris 48.7%

Turnout
90%

of Washington’s 5,601 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Wisconsin: 76%.

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

U.S. Senate5,005 votes
Eric HovdeRepublican49.3%
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat48.9%
Others1.9%

Most votes in Washington: Eric Hovde

Eau Claire County: Baldwin 55.1%, Hovde 42.6% · Wisconsin: Baldwin 49.3%, Hovde 48.5%

U.S. House · Wisconsin’s 3rd District413,181 votes
Derrick Van OrdenRepublican51.3%
Rebecca CookeDemocrat48.6%
Others0.1%

Most votes in the district: Derrick Van Orden

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Washington, its county and the state

TrumpHarrisOthersVotes
Washington49.5%48.9%1.6%5,042
Eau Claire County43.9%54.5%1.7%63,177
Wisconsin49.6%48.7%1.7%3,422,918
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 Washington

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Washington.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
  2. 2
    Wisconsin AssemblyWashington is split between 2 districts
  3. 3
    Wisconsin SenateState senator
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Wisconsin

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

Next door

How Washington compares with the towns next door

Washington spent $146 per resident in 2022; the 6 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $225 to $1,339. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Seymour$225$3,123
Pleasant Valley$226$4,522
Brunswick$246$3,473
Lincoln$355$3,900
Altoona$1,128$3,535
Eau Claire$1,339$3,553
Washington$146$3,952

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 Washington’s government

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

The Handbook →

Questions about Washington’s government

How much does Washington spend per resident?

About $146 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 $146 was less than 98% of 127 Wisconsin towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Washington?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $3,952 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.08% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.42% across Wisconsin. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see townofwashington.org.

Who runs Washington’s government?

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

How did Washington vote in 2024?

For president, Donald J Trump 49.5%, Kamala D Harris 48.9% (5,042 votes, official results). Eau Claire County: Harris 54.5%, Trump 43.9%. Wisconsin: Trump 49.6%, Harris 48.7%.

How many people work for Washington?

4 full-time and 11 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $22,463 (about $269,556 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Washington in the state legislature?

Washington is split among 2 Assembly districts, so your address decides. The Wisconsin Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Its State Senate district is District 31 (Jeff Smith). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Washington’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 →