Otsego spent less per resident in 2022 than 92% of similar cities
Otsego’s city government spent $4.8 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2023, about $1,166 per resident.
What stands out about how Otsego is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$1,025 per resident in 2022: less than 92% of them
Otsego’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,025 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 120 Michigan cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,684, and the middle half spent $1,333–$2,384. Otsego spent less than 92% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.3 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 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Otsego itself left out).
About $1,166 per resident a year, or $3.19 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 27%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Day-to-day spending is up 17% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Otsego reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.
Day-to-day spending by fiscal year
Per resident: 2022: $1,025 · 2023: $1,166.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
The typical homeowner pays $2,305 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.44% 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 Otsego’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 Otsego’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Otsego →
Who’s in charge in Otsego
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
One full-time city employee for every 178 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2023 finance file (4,094).
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.
Otsego Public Schools
Otsego’s K–12 school district, shared with Alamo Township, Otsego Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $14,214 per pupil, $8,395 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 Otsego voted in 2024
Official results for Otsego’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican55.3%1,154 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat42.8%892 votesOthers: 1.9% (40 votes).
Most votes in Otsego: Donald J Trump
Allegan County: Trump 62.9%, Harris 35.6% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of Otsego’s 2,655 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Mike RogersRepublican52.5%
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat43.2%Most votes in Otsego: Mike Rogers
Allegan County: Rogers 61.9%, Slotkin 35.3% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: Bill Huizenga
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Otsego, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otsego | 55.3% | 42.8% | 1.9% | 2,086 |
| Allegan County | 62.9% | 35.6% | 1.5% | 71,899 |
| 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 Otsego.
- 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 Otsego’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about Otsego’s government
How much does Otsego spend per resident?
About $1,166 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2023, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,025 was less than 92% of 120 Michigan cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Otsego?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,305 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.44% 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 Otsego’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Otsego yet.
How did Otsego vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 55.3%, Kamala D Harris 42.8% (2,086 votes, official results). Allegan County: Trump 62.9%, Harris 35.6%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for Otsego?
23 full-time and 35 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $177,740 (about $2.1M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Otsego in the state legislature?
State Senate District 18 (Thomas Albert) 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 Otsego’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 →