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Downtown Jackson, MIPhoto: Phillip L. Hofmeister · CC BY 3.0
Town Hall · Jackson

Jackson spent more per resident in 2022 than 72% of similar cities

Jackson’s city government spent $74.3 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $2,395 per resident.

Town website
Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in Michigan.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2024
$74.3M
year to June 30, 2024
Per resident, 2024
$2,395
In 2022: $1,971, more than 72% of 18 similar cities
Long-term debt
$49.6M
end of FY2024, reported
City staff, 2025
212
full-time · 68 part-time · March payroll $1.6M · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$1,753
1.70% of home value · MI 1.25%

What stands out about how Jackson is run

Read from the city’s budget, meetings and official records.

Agendas posted online6 upcoming meetings posted, with agendas.Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $1,971 per resident, more than 72% of 18 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer19% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2024).A shared school districtShares Jackson Public Schools with 1 other town.
★ What stands out · Meetings

6 upcoming meetings at town hall

From Jackson’s own agenda portal, checked daily. Agendas can change up to the meeting, so check before you go.

Recent meetings

Go in person

Most meetings are open to the public, and many have a public comment period at the start.

Agenda portal ↗
Your share of the 2024 budget

About $2,395 per resident a year, or $6.56 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 19%.

Where the money comes from
From the federal government 20%Property taxes 17%Fees & charges 14%From the state 13%Utility sales 12%Income taxes 12%Interest, fines & other 10%From other local governments 2%Other taxes & licenses <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $28.3 million; interest on debt $3.3 million. With these, the whole budget was $105.9 million.
Compared with similar places

$1,971 per resident in 2022: more than 72% of them

Jackson’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,971 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 18 Michigan cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,614, and the middle half spent $1,446–$1,961. Jackson spent more than 72% of them.

Middle half of the group, $1,446–$1,961Median $1,614Jackson

Includes sewer and trash ($11.4 million), 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
18

Michigan cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Jackson itself left out).

Over the years

Day-to-day spending is up 16% since 2022

Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Jackson reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.

Day-to-day spending by fiscal year

2022$63.8 million
2023$82.8 million
2024$74.3 million

Per resident: 2022: $1,971 · 2023: $2,643 · 2024: $2,395. Per resident it went from $1,971 to $2,395 (up 22%), partly because the Census population behind it changed from 32,374 to 31,031.

City staff
212

full-time in March 2025, up from 203 in 2022. Both are Census estimates.

Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,753 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.70% of the home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Michigan$2,904
Summit Township$2,486
Blackman Township$2,444
Leoni Township$1,964
Vandercook Lake$1,865
Jackson$1,753
$1,753
typical bill a year
1.70%
effective rate
$103,200
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

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

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Jackson

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

See cityofjackson.org for Jackson’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Jackson yet.cityofjackson.org ↗
Who works for Jackson

One full-time city employee for every 146 residents

On the payroll in March 2025, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (31,031).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2025

Police64 + 10 pt
Water & other utilities47
Parks & libraries15 + 47 pt
Fire28
Administration & buildings22 + 4 pt
Sewer & trash10
Roads & transportation7 + 2 pt
Housing & development5
Courts, inspections & corrections4 + 1 pt
Other10 + 4 pt
212
full-time
68
part-time
$1.6M
payroll for March 2025
$19.5M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$87,500
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
61
sworn police officers
28
full-time firefighters
Estimates.Jackson didn’t report its staff figures; these are the Census Bureau’s estimates, so they aren’t compared with other towns.

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

Jackson Public Schools

Jackson’s K–12 school district, shared with Summit Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Jackson →
$18,407
per pupil · MI $16,528
4,465
students
$87.2 million
long-term debt

Of the $18,407 per pupil, $10,652 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 28%State 52%Federal 20%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

How Jackson voted in 2024

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

President12,387 votes · results as certified
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat55.9%6,925 votes
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican42.3%5,245 votes

Others: 1.8% (217 votes).

Most votes in Jackson: Kamala D Harris

Jackson County: Trump 59.9%, Harris 38.6% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%

Turnout
53%

of Jackson’s 23,327 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.

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

U.S. Senate12,146 votes
Elissa SlotkinElissa SlotkinDemocrat55.5%
Mike RogersMike RogersRepublican40.3%
Others4.3%

Most votes in Jackson: Elissa Slotkin

Jackson County: Rogers 57.7%, Slotkin 39.1% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%

U.S. House · Michigan’s 5th District409,876 votes
Tim WalbergRepublican65.7%
Libbi UrbanDemocrat32.8%
Others1.6%

Most votes in the district: Tim Walberg

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Jackson, its county and the state

HarrisTrumpOthersVotes
Jackson55.9%42.3%1.8%12,387
Jackson County38.6%59.9%1.5%83,827
Michigan48.3%49.7%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 Jackson

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Jackson.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Officials: cityofjackson.org ↗
  2. 2
    Michigan HouseState representatives
    Kathy Schmaltz
  3. 3
    Michigan SenateState senator
    Sue Shink
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Gretchen Whitmer
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Tim Walberg
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Michigan
    Gary C. PetersElissa Slotkin

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

Next door

How Jackson compares with the towns next door

Jackson spent $1,971 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.

Summit Township: $542 per resident (2022)Leoni Township: $544 per resident (2022)Blackman Township: $744 per resident (2022)Vandercook Lake: unincorporated, no town budgetSummit TownshipLeoni TownshipBlackman TownshipVandercook LakeJackson
Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Summit Township$542$2,486
Leoni Township$544$1,964
Blackman Township$744$2,444
Jackson$1,971$1,753

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 Jackson’s government

The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.

The Handbook →
Official websitecityofjackson.org ↗

Questions about Jackson’s government

How much does Jackson spend per resident?

About $2,395 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,971 was more than 72% of 18 Michigan cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Jackson?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,753 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.70% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see cityofjackson.org.

Who runs Jackson’s government?

See cityofjackson.org for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Jackson yet.

How did Jackson vote in 2024?

For president, Kamala D Harris 55.9%, Donald J Trump 42.3% (12,387 votes, official results). Jackson County: Trump 59.9%, Harris 38.6%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.

How many people work for Jackson?

212 full-time and 68 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $1.6M (about $19.5M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Jackson in the state legislature?

State Senate District 14 (Sue Shink) and State House District 46 (Kathy Schmaltz). The House district also covers six other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

When is the next public meeting in Jackson?

The next posted meeting is Affordable Housing Development Board on Tuesday, November 3, at 2:00 pm in 161 W. Michigan Avenue, 10th Floor Conference Room, from the city’s own agenda portal.

Ask neighbors about Jackson’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 →