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Shelby, MIPhoto: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0
Town Hall · Shelby

Shelby spent less per resident in 2022 than 83% of similar cities

Shelby’s village government spent $1.2 million on day-to-day services in the year to February 28, 2022, about $584 per resident.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$1.2M
year to February 28, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$584
In 2022: $584, less than 83% of 291 similar cities
Long-term debt
$2.4M
end of FY2022, reported
Village staff, 2022
11
full-time · 17 part-time · March payroll $58,747
Typical tax bill
$1,645
1.06% of home value · MI 1.25%

What stands out about how Shelby is run

Read from the village’s budget and official records.

Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $584 per resident, less than 83% of 291 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer37% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Shelby Public Schools with 6+ other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $1,645 a year: 1.06% of the home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan.
Compared with similar places

$584 per resident in 2022: less than 83% of them

Shelby’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($584 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,081, and the middle half spent $751–$1,663. Shelby spent less than 83% of them.

Middle half of the group, $751–$1,663Median $1,081Shelby

Includes sewer and trash ($445,000), 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
291

Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Shelby itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $584 per resident a year, or $1.60 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 37%.

Where the money comes from
From the state 35%Property taxes 22%Fees & charges 22%Utility sales 14%Interest, fines & other 7%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $53,000; interest on debt $100,000. With these, the whole budget was $1.3 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

Shelby reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,645 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.06% of the home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Michigan$2,904
Shelby$1,645
$1,645
typical bill a year
1.06%
effective rate
$155,600
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Shelby’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. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.

Tax bills are one input to Shelby’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Shelby →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Shelby

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

Check Shelby’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Shelby yet.
Who works for Shelby

One full-time village employee for every 186 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 (2,043).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Administration & buildings2 + 14 pt
Police3 + 3 pt
Parks & libraries3
Roads & transportation1
Sewer & trash1
Water & other utilities1
11
full-time
17
part-time
$58,747
payroll for March 2022
$704,964
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$51,700
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
3
sworn police officers
Compared, 2022.Shelby had 5.4 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 233 of the 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 4.4: Shelby had more than 59% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

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

Shelby Public Schools

Shelby’s K–12 school district, shared with Benona Township, New Era, Shelby Township, Ferry Township, Otto Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Shelby →
$19,171
per pupil · MI $16,528
1,070
students
$30.8 million
long-term debt

Of the $19,171 per pupil, $9,295 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 34%State 48%Federal 18%

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

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

Elections · 2024 general election

Shelby’s votes are counted by county

Michigan reports official results by county and precinct, not by village, so there are no official results for Shelby alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Oceana County’s results.

President · Oceana County’s results14,870 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican64.2%9,547 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat34.2%5,085 votes

Others: 1.6% (238 votes).

Most votes in Oceana County: Donald J Trump

Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%

The county’s page

100% of Shelby lies in Oceana County. Every 2024 race in Oceana County is on the county’s page.

Oceana County’s 2024 results →
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. 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 Shelby

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Shelby.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Michigan HouseState representatives
    Curt VanderWall
  3. 3
    Michigan SenateState senator
    Jon Bumstead
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Gretchen Whitmer
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    John R. Moolenaar
  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.

Reach Shelby’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Shelby’s government

How much does Shelby spend per resident?

About $584 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to February 28, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $584 was less than 83% of 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Shelby?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,645 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.06% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the village’s assessor.

Who runs Shelby’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Shelby yet.

How did Shelby vote in 2024?

Michigan counts votes by county and precinct, not by village, so there are no official results for Shelby alone. Oceana County, where 100% of Shelby lies, voted Trump 64.2%, Harris 34.2% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Shelby?

11 full-time and 17 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $58,747 (about $704,964 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Shelby in the state legislature?

State Senate District 32 (Jon Bumstead) and State House District 102 (Curt VanderWall). The House district also covers 52 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Shelby’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 →