Town Hall · Salem

Salem, CT town hall & government

Salem spent $19.3 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $4,472 per resident.

Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Salem's government.

Town budget

Where Salem's money goes

Spent
$19.3 million
fiscal year to June 30, 2024
Per resident
$4,472
typical Connecticut towns: $6,394
Long-term debt
$2.5 million
$579 per resident
Schools
$11 million57%
Paid to other governments
$3 million15%
Roads & transportation
$1.7 million9%
Administration & buildings
$830,0004%
Fire
$815,0004%
Parks & libraries
$298,0002%
Courts, inspections & corrections
$222,0001%
Sewer & trash
$209,0001%
Interest on debt
$117,0001%
Health & welfare
$45,000<1%
Police
$5,000<1%
Other
$1.1 million6%

Salem runs its own schools, so school spending is part of its budget. Comparisons are with other Connecticut towns.

Where the money comes from

  • Property taxes 75%
  • From the state 20%
  • Interest, fines & other 3%
  • Fees & charges 2%
  • Other taxes & licenses 1%
  • From the federal government <1%
Town workforce

Who works for Salem

Full-time staff
82
46 part-time too
Average full-time pay
$68,900
a year, before benefits
Full-time firefighters
2
on the town payroll
Schools
67 full-time20 part
Administration & buildings
6 full-time5 part
Fire
2 full-time9 part
Roads & transportation
6 full-time1 part
Parks & libraries
1 full-time7 part
Other
0 full-time4 part

Staff on the town's payroll in March 2022. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.

Schools · school year 2023–24

Salem School District

Salem's elementary school district. The schools are run by Salem, so this money is part of the budget above.

Spending per pupil
$24,425
Connecticut: $25,892
Students
386
in the whole district
Long-term debt
$2.2 million
at year end

Where the district's money comes from Connecticut districts overall: 58% local, 35% state, 8% federal

  • Local 66%
  • State 31%
  • Federal 3%

Of the $24,425 per pupil, $10,904 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.

Property tax

What homeowners in Salem pay

Typical tax bill
$6,668
a year · Connecticut typical $6,643
Effective rate
1.65%
of home value · Connecticut 1.81%
Typical home value
$403,600
owner-occupied

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.

Local

Contact Salem's government

🏛️ Official websitesalemct.gov ↗

Town hall & decisions in Salem →

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.

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Salem

Connecticut · CT · Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region
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