Francis Metallic Surfboat · Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 4.0Douglas spent more per resident in 2022 than 94% of similar cities
Douglas’ city government spent $4.6 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $3,400 per resident.
What stands out about how Douglas is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$3,400 per resident in 2022: more than 94% of them
Douglas’ day-to-day spending in 2022 ($3,400 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,078, and the middle half spent $748–$1,622. Douglas spent more than 94% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Douglas itself left out).
About $3,400 per resident a year, or $9.32 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 49%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Douglas reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $5,886 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.38% 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 Douglas’ 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. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.
Tax bills are one input to Douglas’ Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Douglas →
Who’s in charge in Douglas
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Douglas’ meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on ci.douglas.mi.us ↗.
One full-time city employee for every 85 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (1,354).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Saugatuck Public Schools
Douglas’ K–12 school district, shared with Saugatuck, Saugatuck Township, Laketown Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $15,589 per pupil, $9,860 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 Douglas voted in 2024
Official results for Douglas’ own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat70.5%745 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican28.9%305 votesOthers: 0.6% (6 votes).
Most votes in Douglas: Kamala D Harris
Allegan County: Trump 62.9%, Harris 35.6% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of Douglas’ 1,236 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat70.4%
Mike RogersRepublican28.2%Most votes in Douglas: Elissa Slotkin
Allegan County: Rogers 61.9%, Slotkin 35.3% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: Bill Huizenga
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Douglas, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas | 70.5% | 28.9% | 0.6% | 1,056 |
| Allegan County | 35.6% | 62.9% | 1.5% | 71,899 |
| Michigan | 48.3% | 49.7% | 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 Douglas.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: ci.douglas.mi.us ↗
- 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 Douglas compares with the towns next door
Douglas spent $3,400 per resident in 2022; the 2 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $385 to $3,687. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Saugatuck Township | $385 | $4,455 |
| Saugatuck | $3,687 | $6,786 |
| Douglas | $3,400 | $5,886 |
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 Douglas’ government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Douglas’ government
How much does Douglas spend per resident?
About $3,400 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 $3,400 was more than 94% of 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Douglas?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $5,886 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.38% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see ci.douglas.mi.us.
Who runs Douglas’ government?
See ci.douglas.mi.us for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Douglas yet.
How did Douglas vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 70.5%, Donald J Trump 28.9% (1,056 votes, official results). Allegan County: Trump 62.9%, Harris 35.6%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for Douglas?
16 full-time and 16 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $98,222 (about $1.2M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Douglas in the state legislature?
State Senate District 20 (Aric Nesbitt) and State House District 38 (Joey Andrews). The House district also covers 22 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Douglas’ 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 →