Norton Shores spent less per resident in 2022 than 86% of similar cities
Norton Shores’ city government spent $32.6 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,325 per resident.
What stands out about how Norton Shores is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$1,325 per resident in 2022: less than 86% of them
Norton Shores’ day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,325 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 44 Michigan cities of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,901, and the middle half spent $1,439–$2,467. Norton Shores spent less than 86% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($9.4 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 →
Michigan cities of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Norton Shores itself left out).
About $1,325 per resident a year, or $3.63 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 29%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Norton Shores reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $2,857 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.22% 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 Norton Shores’ 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 Norton Shores’ Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Norton Shores →
Who’s in charge in Norton Shores
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Norton Shores’ meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on nortonshores.org ↗.
One full-time city employee for every 195 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 (24,623).
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.
Mona Shores Public School District
Norton Shores’ K–12 school district, shared with Roosevelt Park. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $14,714 per pupil, $9,263 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.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools · $17,223 per pupil
Muskegon City School District · $20,824 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Norton Shores voted in 2024
Official results for Norton Shores’ own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican49.5%7,572 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat48.8%7,460 votesOthers: 1.6% (251 votes).
Most votes in Norton Shores: Donald J Trump
Muskegon County: Trump 50.1%, Harris 48.4% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of Norton Shores’ 19,501 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat48.8%
Mike RogersRepublican48.4%Most votes in Norton Shores: Elissa Slotkin
Muskegon County: Rogers 48.4%, Slotkin 48.4% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: Hillary Scholten
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Norton Shores, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton Shores | 49.5% | 48.8% | 1.6% | 15,283 |
| Muskegon County | 50.1% | 48.4% | 1.5% | 95,181 |
| 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 Norton Shores.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: nortonshores.org ↗
- 2Michigan HouseNorton Shores is split between 2 districts
- 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 Norton Shores compares with the towns next door
Norton Shores spent $1,325 per resident in 2022; the 5 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $440 to $2,877. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Fruitport Township | $440 | $2,528 |
| Spring Lake Township | $479 | $3,871 |
| Muskegon Heights | $1,644 | $1,194 |
| Muskegon | $1,686 | $1,468 |
| Roosevelt Park | $2,877 | $2,583 |
| Norton Shores | $1,325 | $2,857 |
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 Norton Shores’ government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Norton Shores’ government
How much does Norton Shores spend per resident?
About $1,325 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 $1,325 was less than 86% of 44 Michigan cities of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Norton Shores?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,857 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.22% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see nortonshores.org.
Who runs Norton Shores’ government?
See nortonshores.org for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Norton Shores yet.
How did Norton Shores vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 49.5%, Kamala D Harris 48.8% (15,283 votes, official results). Muskegon County: Trump 50.1%, Harris 48.4%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for Norton Shores?
126 full-time and 10 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $728,934 (about $8.7M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Norton Shores in the state legislature?
Norton Shores is split among 2 State House districts, so your address decides. The Michigan Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Its State Senate district is District 32 (Jon Bumstead). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Norton Shores’ 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 →