Photo: kennethaw88 · CC BY 4.0Owosso spent less per resident in 2022 than 75% of similar cities
Owosso’s city government spent $20.4 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,426 per resident.
What stands out about how Owosso is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$1,426 per resident in 2022: less than 75% of them
Owosso’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,426 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 $1,427–$2,467. Owosso spent less than 75% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($6.3 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 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Owosso itself left out).
About $1,426 per resident a year, or $3.91 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 31%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Owosso reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $2,229 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.68% 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 Owosso’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 Owosso’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Owosso →
Who’s in charge in Owosso
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Owosso’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on ci.owosso.mi.us ↗.
One full-time city employee for every 149 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 (14,338).
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.
Owosso Public Schools
Owosso’s K–12 school district, shared with Owosso Township, Rush Township, New Haven Township, Bennington Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $13,626 per pupil, $8,817 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 Owosso voted in 2024
Official results for Owosso’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican53.3%4,034 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat45.0%3,411 votesOthers: 1.7% (128 votes).
Most votes in Owosso: Donald J Trump
Shiawassee County: Trump 60.8%, Harris 37.7% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of Owosso’s 11,538 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Mike RogersRepublican51.0%
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat45.2%Most votes in Owosso: Mike Rogers
Shiawassee County: Rogers 58.6%, Slotkin 38.6% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: Tom Barrett
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Owosso, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owosso | 53.3% | 45.0% | 1.7% | 7,573 |
| Shiawassee County | 60.8% | 37.7% | 1.6% | 40,685 |
| 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 Owosso.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: ci.owosso.mi.us ↗
- 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.
How Owosso compares with the towns next door
Owosso spent $1,426 per resident in 2022; the neighbor that reported 2022 spent $206. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Caledonia Township | $206 | $1,879 |
| Owosso Township | estimate | $2,202 |
| Owosso | $1,426 | $2,229 |
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 Owosso’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Owosso’s government
How much does Owosso spend per resident?
About $1,426 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 $1,426 was less than 75% of 44 Michigan cities of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Owosso?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,229 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.68% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see ci.owosso.mi.us.
Who runs Owosso’s government?
See ci.owosso.mi.us for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Owosso yet.
How did Owosso vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 53.3%, Kamala D Harris 45.0% (7,573 votes, official results). Shiawassee County: Trump 60.8%, Harris 37.7%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for Owosso?
96 full-time and 16 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $472,547 (about $5.7M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Owosso in the state legislature?
State Senate District 28 (Sam Singh) and State House District 71 (Brian BeGole). The House district also covers 33 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Owosso’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 →