Chapel Hill, NC town hall & government
Chapel Hill spent $168.4 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $2,712 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Chapel Hill's government.
Who runs Chapel Hill
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 If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.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 Chapel Hill's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Property taxes 35%
- Sales taxes 15%
- From the federal government 14%
- From other local governments 11%
- From the state 9%
- Fees & charges 7%
- Interest, fines & other 6%
- Other taxes & licenses 2%
- Utility sales <1%
Who works for Chapel Hill
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate. Chapel Hill didn't report its staffing to the Census Bureau, so these are the Bureau's estimates.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools
Chapel Hill's K–12 school district, shared with Carrboro. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from North Carolina districts overall: 26% local, 57% state, 17% federal
- Local 50%
- State 42%
- Federal 7%
Of the $17,880 per pupil, $11,354 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 Chapel Hill: Durham Public Schools ($15,851 per pupil).
Which schools Chapel Hill kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill's government
Who represents Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill is represented in Congress by Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd and Representative Valerie P. Foushee. Josh Stein 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.