Town Hall · Rochester

Rochester, MA town hall & government

Rochester spent $26.8 million in the year to June 30, 2023, about $4,644 per resident.

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

Town budget

Where Rochester's money goes

Spent
$26.8 million
fiscal year to June 30, 2023
Per resident
$4,644
typical Massachusetts towns: $6,187
Long-term debt
$5.6 million
$970 per resident
Schools
$9.2 million35%
Paid to other governments
$7 million26%
Police
$1.7 million6%
Administration & buildings
$1.3 million5%
Roads & transportation
$880,0003%
Health & welfare
$787,0003%
Courts, inspections & corrections
$528,0002%
Fire
$516,0002%
Sewer & trash
$361,0001%
Parks & libraries
$280,0001%
Interest on debt
$248,0001%
Water & other utilities
$1,000<1%
Other
$3.9 million15%

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

Where the money comes from

  • Property taxes 62%
  • From the state 30%
  • From the federal government 3%
  • Interest, fines & other 3%
  • Fees & charges 2%
  • Other taxes & licenses 1%
Town workforce

Who works for Rochester

Full-time staff
129
43 part-time too
Average full-time pay
$67,200
a year, before benefits
Sworn police officers
13
and 1 full-time firefighter
Schools
70 full-time10 part
Fire
25 full-time
Police
15 full-time5 part
Administration & buildings
8 full-time13 part
Health & welfare
3 full-time12 part
Roads & transportation
4 full-time1 part
Parks & libraries
3 full-time1 part
Courts, inspections & corrections
1 full-time
Other
0 full-time1 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

Old Rochester School District

Rochester's high school school district, shared with Marion and Mattapoisett. The schools are run by Rochester, so this money is part of the budget above.

Spending per pupil
$23,351
Massachusetts: $26,530
Students
1,041
in the whole district
Long-term debt
None
at year end

Where the district's money comes from Massachusetts districts overall: 49% local, 43% state, 8% federal

  • Local 71%
  • State 25%
  • Federal 4%

Of the $23,351 per pupil, $15,388 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 Rochester: Rochester School District ($19,008 per pupil).

Property tax

What homeowners in Rochester pay

Typical tax bill
$6,530
a year · Massachusetts typical $5,992
Effective rate
1.09%
of home value · Massachusetts 1.07%
Typical home value
$599,100
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 Rochester's government

🏛️ Official websitetownofrochestermass.com ↗

Town hall & decisions in Rochester →

Beyond town hall

Who represents Rochester

Rochester is represented in Congress by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and Representative William R. Keating. Maura Healey is governor.

All of Rochester's representatives, with contacts →

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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Rochester

Massachusetts · MA · Plymouth County
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