West Jefferson Avenue-Rouge River Bridge · Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0River Rouge spent more per resident in 2022 than 90% of similar cities
River Rouge’s city government spent $24.6 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $3,338 per resident.
What stands out about how River Rouge is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$3,338 per resident in 2022: more than 90% of them
River Rouge’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($3,338 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 $1,656, and the middle half spent $1,295–$2,347. River Rouge spent more than 90% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($5.4 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 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; River Rouge itself left out).
About $3,338 per resident a year, or $9.15 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 22%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
River Rouge reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $1,580 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 2.43% 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 River Rouge’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 River Rouge’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in River Rouge →
Who’s in charge in River Rouge
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
River Rouge’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on cityofriverrouge.com ↗.
One full-time city employee for every 217 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 (7,369).
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.
River Rouge School District
River Rouge’s K–12 school district. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $16,240 per pupil, $8,412 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 River Rouge voted in 2024
Official results for River Rouge’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat74.4%2,021 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican23.8%647 votesOthers: 1.8% (49 votes).
Most votes in River Rouge: Kamala D Harris
Wayne County: Harris 62.7%, Trump 33.7% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of River Rouge’s 4,975 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat73.7%
Mike RogersRepublican22.4%Most votes in River Rouge: Elissa Slotkin
Wayne County: Slotkin 63.4%, Rogers 31.9% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: Shri Thanedar
Whole-district result
President, 2024: River Rouge, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Rouge | 74.4% | 23.8% | 1.8% | 2,717 |
| Wayne County | 62.7% | 33.7% | 3.6% | 856,690 |
| Michigan | 48.3% | 49.7% | 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 River Rouge.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: cityofriverrouge.com ↗
- 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 River Rouge compares with the towns next door
River Rouge spent $3,338 per resident in 2022; the 2 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $2,910 to $3,145. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
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 River Rouge’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about River Rouge’s government
How much does River Rouge spend per resident?
About $3,338 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 $3,338 was more than 90% of 120 Michigan cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in River Rouge?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,580 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 2.43% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see cityofriverrouge.com.
Who runs River Rouge’s government?
See cityofriverrouge.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for River Rouge yet.
How did River Rouge vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 74.4%, Donald J Trump 23.8% (2,717 votes, official results). Wayne County: Harris 62.7%, Trump 33.7%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for River Rouge?
34 full-time and 37 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $246,153 (about $3.0M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents River Rouge in the state legislature?
State Senate District 1 (Erika Geiss) and State House District 1 (Tyrone Carter). The House district also covers two neighboring towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about River Rouge’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 →