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Saginaw, Michigan Skyline (2022)Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0
Town Hall · Saginaw

Saginaw spent more per resident in 2022 than 78% of similar cities

Saginaw’s city government spent $164.5 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $3,784 per resident.

Town website
Next public meeting

Board of Appeals on Zoning

6:00 pm · Hoyt Library Mezzanine, 505 Janes Avenue

All meetings →
Day-to-day spending, 2024
$164.5M
year to June 30, 2024
Per resident, 2024
$3,784
In 2022: $2,030, more than 78% of 18 similar cities
Long-term debt
$44.9M
end of FY2024, reported
City staff, 2025
439
full-time · 65 part-time · March payroll $2.4M · Census estimate
Typical tax bill
$1,358
2.26% of home value · MI 1.25%

What stands out about how Saginaw is run

Read from the city’s budget, meetings and official records.

Agendas posted online6 upcoming meetings posted, with agendas.Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $2,030 per resident, more than 78% of 18 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer23% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2024).A shared school districtShares Saginaw City School District with 3 other towns.
★ What stands out · Meetings

6 upcoming meetings at town hall

From Saginaw’s own agenda portal, checked daily. Agendas can change up to the meeting, so check before you go.

Recent meetings

Go in person

Most meetings are open to the public, and many have a public comment period at the start.

Agenda portal ↗
Your share of the 2024 budget

About $3,784 per resident a year, or $10.37 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 23%.

Where the money comes from
From the state 33%From the federal government 17%Fees & charges 16%Utility sales 11%Income taxes 9%Interest, fines & other 6%Property taxes 4%Other taxes & licenses 2%From other local governments 1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $21.1 million; interest on debt $1.3 million; payments to other governments $80,000. With these, the whole budget was $187 million.
About “Other”.29% of Saginaw’s day-to-day spending ($47.2 million) is filed by the Census Bureau outside the named functions above, so the receipt can’t say what it buys.
Compared with similar places

$2,030 per resident in 2022: more than 78% of them

Saginaw’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($2,030 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 18 Michigan cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,614, and the middle half spent $1,446–$1,917. Saginaw spent more than 78% of them.

Middle half of the group, $1,446–$1,917Median $1,614Saginaw

Includes sewer and trash ($6.2 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 →

The group
18

Michigan cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Saginaw itself left out).

Over the years

Day-to-day spending is up 69% since 2022

Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Saginaw reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.

Day-to-day spending by fiscal year

2022$97.1 million
2023$116.8 million
2024$164.5 million

Per resident: 2022: $2,030 · 2023: $2,663 · 2024: $3,784. Per resident it went from $2,030 to $3,784 (up 86%), partly because the Census population behind it changed from 47,823 to 43,477.

City staff
439

full-time in March 2025, up from 413 in 2022. Both are Census estimates.

Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,358 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 2.26% of the home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Michigan$2,904
Saginaw Township$2,719
James Township$2,347
Spaulding Township$1,820
Bridgeport Township$1,763
Carrollton Township$1,744
Buena Vista Township$1,497
Saginaw$1,358
$1,358
typical bill a year
2.26%
effective rate
$60,000
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Saginaw’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 Saginaw’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Saginaw →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Saginaw

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

See saginaw-mi.com for Saginaw’s current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Saginaw yet.saginaw-mi.com ↗
Who works for Saginaw

One full-time city employee for every 99 residents

On the payroll in March 2025, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (43,477).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2025

Sewer & trash115 + 3 pt
Police80 + 25 pt
Administration & buildings61 + 19 pt
Fire67 + 1 pt
Water & other utilities37 + 1 pt
Roads & transportation37
Parks & libraries11 + 8 pt
Housing & development4
Other27 + 8 pt
439
full-time
65
part-time
$2.4M
payroll for March 2025
$28.8M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$62,700
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
71
sworn police officers
66
full-time firefighters
Estimates.Saginaw didn’t report its staff figures; these are the Census Bureau’s estimates, so they aren’t compared with other towns.

The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.

The school district

Saginaw City School District

Saginaw’s K–12 school district, shared with Zilwaukee, Kochville Township, Buena Vista Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Saginaw →
$18,812
per pupil · MI $16,528
5,304
students
$29.6 million
long-term debt

Of the $18,812 per pupil, $10,051 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.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 26%State 55%Federal 19%

Michigan districts overall: 34% local, 57% state, 9% federal.

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

How Saginaw voted in 2024

Official results for Saginaw’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.

President17,939 votes · results as certified
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat74.7%13,400 votes
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican24.1%4,319 votes

Others: 1.2% (220 votes).

Most votes in Saginaw: Kamala D Harris

Saginaw County: Trump 51.0%, Harris 47.7% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%

Turnout
56%

of Saginaw’s 32,164 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.

Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).

U.S. Senate17,669 votes
Elissa SlotkinElissa SlotkinDemocrat74.8%
Mike RogersMike RogersRepublican22.3%
Others2.9%

Most votes in Saginaw: Elissa Slotkin

Saginaw County: Slotkin 48.7%, Rogers 48.7% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%

U.S. House · Michigan’s 8th District424,350 votes
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocrat51.3%
Paul JungeRepublican44.6%
Others4.1%

Most votes in the district: Kristen McDonald Rivet

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Saginaw, its county and the state

HarrisTrumpOthersVotes
Saginaw74.7%24.1%1.2%17,939
Saginaw County47.7%51.0%1.4%103,846
Michigan48.3%49.7%2.0%5,664,186
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

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.

Who represents Saginaw

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Saginaw.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Officials: saginaw-mi.com ↗
  2. 2
    Michigan HouseState representatives
    Amos O'Neal
  3. 3
    Michigan SenateState senator
    Chedrick Greene
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Gretchen Whitmer
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Kristen McDonald Rivet
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Michigan
    Gary C. PetersElissa Slotkin

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Next door

How Saginaw compares with the towns next door

Saginaw spent $2,030 per resident in 2022. Most of its neighbors are townships, a different kind of government, so the like-for-like comparison is with similar cities, above. Tap a town to see its page.

Spaulding Township: $650 per resident (2022)Buena Vista Township: $1,152 per resident (2022)Saginaw Township: $733 per resident (2022)Bridgeport Township: $595 per resident (2022)James Township: $366 per resident (2022)Carrollton Township: $794 per resident (2022)Spaulding TownshipBuena Vista TownshipSaginaw TownshipBridgeport TownshipJames TownshipCarrollton TownshipSaginaw
Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
James Township$366$2,347
Bridgeport Township$595$1,763
Spaulding Township$650$1,820
Saginaw Township$733$2,719
Carrollton Township$794$1,744
Buena Vista Township$1,152$1,497
Saginaw$2,030$1,358

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 Saginaw’s government

The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.

The Handbook →
Official websitesaginaw-mi.com ↗

Questions about Saginaw’s government

How much does Saginaw spend per resident?

About $3,784 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $2,030 was more than 78% of 18 Michigan cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Saginaw?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,358 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 2.26% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see saginaw-mi.com.

Who runs Saginaw’s government?

See saginaw-mi.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Saginaw yet.

How did Saginaw vote in 2024?

For president, Kamala D Harris 74.7%, Donald J Trump 24.1% (17,939 votes, official results). Saginaw County: Trump 51.0%, Harris 47.7%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.

How many people work for Saginaw?

439 full-time and 65 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $2.4M (about $28.8M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.

Who represents Saginaw in the state legislature?

State Senate District 35 (Chedrick Greene) and State House District 94 (Amos O'Neal). The House district also covers five other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

When is the next public meeting in Saginaw?

The next posted meeting is Board of Appeals on Zoning on Wednesday, November 4, at 6:00 pm in Hoyt Library Mezzanine, 505 Janes Avenue, from the city’s own agenda portal.

Ask neighbors about Saginaw’s government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

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 →