Forest Township spent less per resident in 2022 than 93% of similar towns
Forest Township’s town government spent $166,000 on day-to-day services in the year to March 31, 2022, about $137 per resident.
What stands out about how Forest Township is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$137 per resident in 2022: less than 93% of them
Forest Township’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($137 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 686 Michigan towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $275, and the middle half spent $194–$428. Forest Township spent less than 93% 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 under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Forest Township itself left out).
About $137 per resident a year, or $0.38 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 61%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Forest Township reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $1,509 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.92% 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 Forest 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. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.
Tax bills are one input to Forest Township’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Forest Township →
Who’s in charge in Forest Township
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Lake City Area School District
Forest Township’s K–12 school district, shared with Lake City, Norwich Township, Pioneer Township, West Branch Township, Lake Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $14,224 per pupil, $7,982 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 Forest Township voted in 2024
Official results for Forest Township’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican76.0%504 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat22.6%150 votesOthers: 1.4% (9 votes).
Most votes in Forest Township: Donald J Trump
Missaukee County: Trump 77.2%, Harris 21.3% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of Forest Township’s 937 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Mike RogersRepublican73.4%
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat22.7%Most votes in Forest Township: Mike Rogers
Missaukee County: Rogers 75.7%, Slotkin 21.4% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: Jack Bergman
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Forest Township, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Township | 76.0% | 22.6% | 1.4% | 663 |
| Missaukee County | 77.2% | 21.3% | 1.5% | 9,152 |
| 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 Forest 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 Forest Township compares with the towns next door
Forest Township spent $137 per resident in 2022; the 5 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $145 to $1,400. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Caldwell Township | $145 | $1,461 |
| Reeder Township | $148 | $1,712 |
| West Branch Township | $168 | $1,235 |
| Pioneer Township | $195 | $1,271 |
| Lake City | $1,400 | $1,925 |
| Forest Township | $137 | $1,509 |
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 Forest Township’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about Forest Township’s government
How much does Forest Township spend per resident?
About $137 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 $137 was less than 93% of 686 Michigan towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Forest Township?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,509 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.92% 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 Forest Township’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Forest Township yet.
How did Forest Township vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 76.0%, Kamala D Harris 22.6% (663 votes, official results). Missaukee County: Trump 77.2%, Harris 21.3%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for Forest Township?
0 full-time and 9 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $10,930 (about $131,160 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Forest Township in the state legislature?
State Senate District 36 (Michele Hoitenga) and State House District 105 (Ken Borton). The House district also covers 56 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Forest 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 →