Hardy Hydroelectric Plant · Photo: Larry Pieniazek, Lar (commons) or User:Lar (wikipedia) · CC BY-SA 3.0How is Big Prairie Township run?
Big Prairie Township’s town government spent $561,000 on day-to-day services in the year to March 31, 2022, about $208 per resident.
What stands out about how Big Prairie Township is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
White Cloud Public Schools
Big Prairie Township’s K–12 school district, shared with White Cloud, Wilcox Township, Everett Township, Goodwell Township, Lincoln Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $13,748 per pupil, $8,110 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
Michigan districts overall: 34% local, 57% state, 9% federal.
Newaygo Public School District · $15,232 per pupil
Morley Stanwood Community Schools · $16,537 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
About $208 per resident a year, or $0.57 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 42%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
$208 per resident in 2022, close to the middle of similar towns
Big Prairie Township’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($208 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 364 Michigan towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $252, and the middle half spent $173–$386. Big Prairie Township spent less than 64% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Michigan towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Big Prairie Township itself left out).
No trend yet
Big Prairie Township reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $1,400 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.98% of the home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Big Prairie Township’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Tax bills are one input to Big Prairie Township’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Big Prairie Township →
Who’s in charge in Big Prairie Township
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
How Big Prairie Township voted in 2024
Official results for Big Prairie Township’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican70.0%952 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat28.8%392 votesOthers: 1.2% (16 votes).
Most votes in Big Prairie Township: Donald J Trump
Newaygo County: Trump 70.6%, Harris 27.8% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of Big Prairie Township’s 2,067 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Mike RogersRepublican67.2%
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat29.2%Most votes in Big Prairie Township: Mike Rogers
Newaygo County: Rogers 69.1%, Slotkin 28.0% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: John R Moolenaar
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Big Prairie Township, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Prairie Township | 70.0% | 28.8% | 1.2% | 1,360 |
| Newaygo County | 70.6% | 27.8% | 1.5% | 29,201 |
| Michigan | 49.7% | 48.3% | 2.0% | 5,664,186 |
Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017; Elissa Slotkin: U.S. House portrait (congress-legislators project); Mike Rogers: U.S. House portrait (congress-legislators project). All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Big Prairie Township.
- 1Your townTown governmentLocal officials aren’t on record yet.
- 2Michigan HouseState representatives
- 3Michigan SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Michigan
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How Big Prairie Township compares with the towns next door
Big Prairie Township spent $208 per resident in 2022; the 4 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $80 to $512. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna Township | $80 | $1,284 |
| Everett Township | $292 | $1,904 |
| Goodwell Township | $502 | $2,242 |
| Croton Township | $512 | $2,440 |
| Big Prairie Township | $208 | $1,400 |
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach Big Prairie Township’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about Big Prairie Township’s government
How much does Big Prairie Township spend per resident?
About $208 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to March 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $208 was less than 64% of 364 Michigan towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Big Prairie Township?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,400 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.98% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the town’s assessor.
Who runs Big Prairie Township’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Big Prairie Township yet.
How did Big Prairie Township vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 70.0%, Kamala D Harris 28.8% (1,360 votes, official results). Newaygo County: Trump 70.6%, Harris 27.8%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for Big Prairie Township?
0 full-time and 43 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $27,636 (about $331,632 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Big Prairie Township in the state legislature?
State Senate District 33 (Rick Outman) and State House District 101 (Joseph Fox). The House district also covers 64 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Big Prairie Township’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →