Marlette spent more per resident in 2022 than 72% of similar cities
Marlette’s city government spent $2.6 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,472 per resident.
What stands out about how Marlette is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$1,472 per resident in 2022: more than 72% of them
Marlette’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,472 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–$1,663. Marlette spent more than 72% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.2 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 →
Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Marlette itself left out).
About $1,472 per resident a year, or $4.03 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 45%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Marlette reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $1,301 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.98% 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 Marlette’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 Marlette’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Marlette →
Who’s in charge in Marlette
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
One full-time city employee for every 159 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (1,752).
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.
Marlette Community Schools
Marlette’s K–12 school district, shared with Clifford, Marlette Township, Lamotte Township, Koylton Township, Elmer Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $14,619 per pupil, $8,198 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 Marlette voted in 2024
Official results for Marlette’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican70.1%617 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat28.2%248 votesOthers: 1.7% (15 votes).
Most votes in Marlette: Donald J Trump
Sanilac County: Trump 73.2%, Harris 25.5% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of Marlette’s 1,438 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Mike RogersRepublican68.0%
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat27.5%Most votes in Marlette: Mike Rogers
Sanilac County: Rogers 70.9%, Slotkin 26.3% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: Lisa McClain
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Marlette, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlette | 70.1% | 28.2% | 1.7% | 880 |
| Sanilac County | 73.2% | 25.5% | 1.3% | 23,339 |
| 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 Marlette.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilLocal 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.
Reach Marlette’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about Marlette’s government
How much does Marlette spend per resident?
About $1,472 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 $1,472 was more than 72% of 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Marlette?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,301 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.98% 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 Marlette’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Marlette yet.
How did Marlette vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 70.1%, Kamala D Harris 28.2% (880 votes, official results). Sanilac County: Trump 73.2%, Harris 25.5%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for Marlette?
11 full-time and 0 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $50,769 (about $609,228 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Marlette in the state legislature?
State Senate District 25 (Dan Lauwers) and State House District 98 (Greg Alexander). The House district also covers 94 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Marlette’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 →