Cato Township spent less per resident in 2022 than 90% of similar towns
Cato Township’s town government spent $357,000 on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $130 per resident. Water and other utilities ($14,000) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Cato Township is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$130 per resident in 2022: less than 90% of them
Cato Township’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($130 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 $174–$386. Cato Township spent less than 90% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($6,000), as the Census Bureau counts 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; Cato Township itself left out).
About $130 per resident a year, or $0.36 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 40%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Cato Township reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $2,253 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.29% 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 Cato 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 Cato Township’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Cato Township →
Who’s in charge in Cato Township
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Lakeview Community Schools
Cato Township’s K–12 school district, shared with Lakeview, Hinton Township, Pine Township, Maple Valley Township, Winfield Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $14,089 per pupil, $7,821 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.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Cato Township voted in 2024
Official results for Cato Township’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican69.1%1,137 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat29.4%484 votesOthers: 1.5% (24 votes).
Most votes in Cato Township: Donald J Trump
Montcalm County: Trump 68.7%, Harris 29.8% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of Cato Township’s 2,239 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Mike RogersRepublican67.5%
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat29.2%Most votes in Cato Township: Mike Rogers
Montcalm County: Rogers 66.8%, Slotkin 29.9% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: John R Moolenaar
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Cato Township, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cato Township | 69.1% | 29.4% | 1.5% | 1,645 |
| Montcalm County | 68.7% | 29.8% | 1.5% | 34,845 |
| 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 Cato 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 Cato Township compares with the towns next door
Cato Township spent $130 per resident in 2022; the 4 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $130 to $259. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Hinton Township | $130 | $1,466 |
| Winfield Township | $156 | $2,342 |
| Pine Township | $215 | $2,277 |
| Belvidere Township | $259 | $1,802 |
| Cato Township | $130 | $2,253 |
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 Cato Township’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about Cato Township’s government
How much does Cato Township spend per resident?
About $130 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $130 was less than 90% 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 Cato Township?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,253 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.29% 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 Cato Township’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Cato Township yet.
How did Cato Township vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 69.1%, Kamala D Harris 29.4% (1,645 votes, official results). Montcalm County: Trump 68.7%, Harris 29.8%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for Cato Township?
0 full-time and 18 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $24,918 (about $299,016 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Cato Township in the state legislature?
State Senate District 33 (Rick Outman) and State House District 91 (Pat Outman). The House district also covers 33 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Cato 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 →