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Town Hall · Galesburg

Galesburg spent less per resident in 2022 than 80% of similar cities

Galesburg’s city government spent $1.3 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $633 per resident.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$1.3M
year to June 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$633
In 2022: $633, less than 80% of 291 similar cities
Long-term debt
$762,000
end of FY2022, reported
City staff, 2022
7
full-time · 0 part-time · March payroll $23,420
Typical tax bill
$1,831
1.52% of home value · MI 1.25%

What stands out about how Galesburg is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Compared with similar places

$633 per resident in 2022: less than 80% of them

Galesburg’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($633 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 $1,081, and the middle half spent $751–$1,663. Galesburg spent less than 80% of them.

Middle half of the group, $751–$1,663Median $1,081Galesburg

Includes sewer and trash ($416,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
291

Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Galesburg itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $633 per resident a year, or $1.73 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 31%.

Where the money comes from
From the state 32%Property taxes 24%Utility sales 24%Fees & charges 14%Interest, fines & other 5%Other taxes & licenses 2%Sales taxes <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $133,000; interest on debt $18,000; payments to other governments $291,000. With these, the whole budget was $1.8 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

Galesburg reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,831 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.52% of the home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Comstock Township$3,184
Michigan$2,904
Charleston Township$2,874
Galesburg$1,831
$1,831
typical bill a year
1.52%
effective rate
$120,800
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Galesburg’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 Galesburg’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Galesburg →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Galesburg

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

Check Galesburg’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Galesburg yet.
Who works for Galesburg

One full-time city employee for every 299 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 (2,090).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Administration & buildings3
Roads & transportation2
Water & other utilities2
7
full-time
0
part-time
$23,420
payroll for March 2022
$281,040
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$40,100
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.Galesburg had 3.3 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 233 of the 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 4.4: Galesburg had fewer than 61% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.

The school district

Galesburg-Augusta Community School District

Galesburg’s K–12 school district, shared with Augusta, Charleston Township, Comstock Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Galesburg →
$18,092
per pupil · MI $16,528
978
students
$29.9 million
long-term debt

Of the $18,092 per pupil, $9,012 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.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 38%State 58%Federal 4%

Michigan districts overall: 34% local, 57% state, 9% federal.

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

How Galesburg voted in 2024

Official results for Galesburg’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.

President910 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican52.6%479 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat45.2%411 votes

Others: 2.2% (20 votes).

Most votes in Galesburg: Donald J Trump

Kalamazoo County: Harris 58.0%, Trump 40.3% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%

Turnout
56%

of Galesburg’s 1,630 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.

Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).

U.S. Senate885 votes
Mike RogersMike RogersRepublican50.7%
Elissa SlotkinElissa SlotkinDemocrat44.9%
Others4.4%

Most votes in Galesburg: Mike Rogers

Kalamazoo County: Slotkin 57.0%, Rogers 39.9% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%

U.S. House · Michigan’s 4th District425,817 votes
Bill HuizengaRepublican55.1%
Jessica SwartzDemocrat43.4%
Others1.6%

Most votes in the district: Bill Huizenga

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Galesburg, its county and the state

TrumpHarrisOthersVotes
Galesburg52.6%45.2%2.2%910
Kalamazoo County40.3%58.0%1.7%145,710
Michigan49.7%48.3%2.0%5,664,186
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

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.

Who represents Galesburg

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Galesburg.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Michigan HouseState representatives
  3. 3
    Michigan SenateState senator
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Michigan

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Next door

How Galesburg compares with the towns next door

Galesburg spent $633 per resident in 2022. Most of its neighbors are townships, a different kind of government, so the like-for-like comparison is with similar cities, above. Tap a town to see its page.

Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Charleston Township$269$2,874
Comstock Township$518$3,184
Galesburg$633$1,831

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 Galesburg’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Galesburg’s government

How much does Galesburg spend per resident?

About $633 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 $633 was less than 80% of 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Galesburg?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,831 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.52% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.

Who runs Galesburg’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Galesburg yet.

How did Galesburg vote in 2024?

For president, Donald J Trump 52.6%, Kamala D Harris 45.2% (910 votes, official results). Kalamazoo County: Harris 58.0%, Trump 40.3%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.

How many people work for Galesburg?

7 full-time and 0 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $23,420 (about $281,040 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Galesburg in the state legislature?

State Senate District 19 (Sean McCann) and State House District 42 (Matt Hall). The House district also covers 20 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Galesburg’s government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

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 →