San Mateo, CA town hall & government
San Mateo spent $315.4 million in the year to June 30, 2022, about $3,080 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach San Mateo's government.
Who runs San Mateo
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where San Mateo's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Fees & charges 42%
- Property taxes 20%
- Other taxes & licenses 13%
- Sales taxes 10%
- Interest, fines & other 8%
- From the federal government 4%
- From the state 2%
- From other local governments <1%
Who works for San Mateo
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate. San Mateo didn't report its staffing to the Census Bureau, so these are the Bureau's estimates.
San Mateo Union High School District
San Mateo's high school district, shared with Burlingame, Hillsborough, Millbrae, Foster City and San Bruno. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from California districts overall: 36% local, 52% state, 11% federal
- Local 87%
- State 10%
- Federal 3%
Of the $26,598 per pupil, $14,561 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Also serving San Mateo: San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District ($21,975 per pupil) · Sequoia Union High School District ($27,344 per pupil) · Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School District ($15,591 per pupil).
Which schools San Mateo kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in San Mateo pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact San Mateo's government
Who represents San Mateo
San Mateo is represented in Congress by Senators Alex Padilla and Adam B. Schiff and Representative Kevin Mullin. Gavin Newsom is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.