Town Hall · West Jefferson

West Jefferson, NC town hall & government

West Jefferson spent $6.1 million in the year to June 30, 2023, about $4,936 per resident.

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

Town budget

Where West Jefferson's money goes

Spent
$6.1 million
fiscal year to June 30, 2023
Per resident
$4,936
typical North Carolina cities: $2,755
Long-term debt
$639,000
$518 per resident
Water & other utilities
$2.8 million46%
Police
$773,00013%
Sewer & trash
$767,00013%
Roads & transportation
$674,00011%
Administration & buildings
$652,00011%
Fire
$239,0004%
Parks & libraries
$95,0002%
Housing & development
$91,0001%
Health & welfare
$10,000<1%
Interest on debt
$8,000<1%
Paid to other governments
$8,000<1%

Where the money comes from

  • Utility sales 45%
  • Property taxes 25%
  • Sales taxes 13%
  • Fees & charges 9%
  • From the state 8%
  • Interest, fines & other 1%
  • Other taxes & licenses <1%
  • From other local governments <1%
Town workforce

Who works for West Jefferson

Full-time staff
24
8 part-time too
Average full-time pay
$42,100
a year, before benefits
Sworn police officers
9
full-time, with power of arrest
Police
9 full-time
Administration & buildings
4 full-time
Roads & transportation
3 full-time
Sewer & trash
2 full-time
Water & other utilities
2 full-time
Parks & libraries
1 full-time
Other
3 full-time8 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

Ashe County Schools

West Jefferson's K–12 school district, shared with Jefferson and Lansing. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.

Spending per pupil
$15,471
North Carolina: $13,045
Students
2,698
in the whole district
Long-term debt
None
at year end

Where the district's money comes from North Carolina districts overall: 26% local, 57% state, 17% federal

  • Local 22%
  • State 57%
  • Federal 21%

Of the $15,471 per pupil, $8,908 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 West Jefferson pay

Typical tax bill
$1,036
a year · North Carolina typical $1,896
Effective rate
0.45%
of home value · North Carolina 0.66%
Typical home value
$232,400
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. In a town this small the survey estimate has a wide margin.

Local

Contact West Jefferson's government

🏛️ Official websitetownofwj.com ↗

Town hall & decisions in West Jefferson →

Beyond town hall

Who represents West Jefferson

West Jefferson is represented in Congress by Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd and Representative Virginia Foxx. Josh Stein is governor.

All of West Jefferson'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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West Jefferson

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