Chelsea, MA town hall & government
Chelsea spent $322.6 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $8,350 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Chelsea's government.
Where Chelsea's money goes
Chelsea runs its own schools, so school spending is part of its budget. Comparisons are with other Massachusetts cities.
Where the money comes from
- From the state 51%
- Property taxes 29%
- Fees & charges 7%
- From the federal government 5%
- Utility sales 4%
- Interest, fines & other 3%
- Other taxes & licenses 1%
- Sales taxes 1%
Who works for Chelsea
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate. Chelsea didn't report its staffing to the Census Bureau, so these are the Bureau's estimates.
Chelsea School District
Chelsea's K–12 school district. The schools are run by Chelsea, so this money is part of the budget above.
Where the district's money comes from Massachusetts districts overall: 49% local, 43% state, 8% federal
- Local 4%
- State 84%
- Federal 12%
Of the $24,062 per pupil, $12,673 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.
Which schools Chelsea kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Chelsea 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 Chelsea's government
Who represents Chelsea
Chelsea is represented in Congress by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and Representative Ayanna Pressley. Maura Healey 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.