Photo: Nanamac47 · CC BY-SA 3.0South Haven Township spent more per resident in 2022 than 77% of similar towns
South Haven Township’s town government spent $1.6 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $396 per resident. The airport ($24,000) are counted separately.
What stands out about how South Haven Township is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$396 per resident in 2022: more than 77% of them
South Haven Township’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($396 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 364 Michigan towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $252, and the middle half spent $173–$385. South Haven Township spent more than 77% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($22,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Michigan towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; South Haven Township itself left out).
About $396 per resident a year, or $1.08 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: fire, at 21%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
South Haven Township reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $2,034 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.87% 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 South Haven Township’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 South Haven Township’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in South Haven Township →
Who’s in charge in South Haven Township
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
South Haven Township’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on south-haven.com ↗.
South Haven Public Schools
South Haven Township’s K–12 school district, shared with South Haven, Casco Township, Geneva Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $15,193 per pupil, $8,731 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.
Covert Public Schools · $19,355 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How South Haven Township voted in 2024
Official results for South Haven Township’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican50.3%1,091 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat48.3%1,047 votesOthers: 1.3% (29 votes).
Most votes in South Haven Township: Donald J Trump
Van Buren County: Trump 56.8%, Harris 41.7% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of South Haven Township’s 3,344 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Mike RogersRepublican49.7%
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat47.4%Most votes in South Haven Township: Mike Rogers
Van Buren County: Rogers 55.6%, Slotkin 41.4% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: Bill Huizenga
Whole-district result
President, 2024: South Haven Township, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Haven Township | 50.3% | 48.3% | 1.3% | 2,167 |
| Van Buren County | 56.8% | 41.7% | 1.4% | 41,183 |
| 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 South Haven Township.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: south-haven.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 South Haven Township compares with the towns next door
South Haven Township spent $396 per resident in 2022; the 3 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $302 to $7,822. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva Township | $302 | $2,280 |
| Covert Township | $1,266 | $1,600 |
| South Haven | $7,822 | $4,726 |
| South Haven Township | $396 | $2,034 |
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 South Haven Township’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about South Haven Township’s government
How much does South Haven Township spend per resident?
About $396 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $396 was more than 77% of 364 Michigan towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in South Haven Township?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,034 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.87% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see south-haven.com.
Who runs South Haven Township’s government?
See south-haven.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for South Haven Township yet.
How did South Haven Township vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 50.3%, Kamala D Harris 48.3% (2,167 votes, official results). Van Buren County: Trump 56.8%, Harris 41.7%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for South Haven Township?
0 full-time and 11 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $3,392 (about $40,704 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents South Haven Township in the state legislature?
State Senate District 20 (Aric Nesbitt) and State House District 38 (Joey Andrews). The House district also covers 22 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about South Haven Township’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 →