Photo: Nanamac47 · CC BY-SA 3.0South Haven spent more per resident in 2022 than 99% of similar cities
South Haven’s city government spent $44.7 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $11,198 per resident.
What stands out about how South Haven is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$7,822 per resident in 2022: more than 99% of them
South Haven’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($7,822 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. South Haven spent more than 99% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($4.7 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; South Haven itself left out).
About $11,198 per resident a year, or $30.68 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 12%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Day-to-day spending is up 32% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years South Haven reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.
Day-to-day spending by fiscal year
Per resident: 2022: $7,822 · 2023: $9,964 · 2024: $11,198. Per resident it went from $7,822 to $11,198 (up 43%), partly because the Census population behind it changed from 4,328 to 3,988.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
The typical homeowner pays $4,726 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.04% 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’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’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in South Haven →
Who’s in charge in South Haven
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
South Haven’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on south-haven.com ↗.
One full-time city employee for every 44 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (3,988).
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.
South Haven Public Schools
South Haven’s K–12 school district, shared with South Haven Township, 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.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How South Haven voted in 2024
Official results for South Haven’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat62.4%1,531 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican36.1%886 votesOthers: 1.5% (36 votes).
Most votes in South Haven: Kamala D Harris
Van Buren County: Trump 56.8%, Harris 41.7% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of South Haven’s 3,351 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat60.8%
Mike RogersRepublican37.4%Most votes in South Haven: Elissa Slotkin
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, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Haven | 62.4% | 36.1% | 1.5% | 2,453 |
| Van Buren County | 41.7% | 56.8% | 1.4% | 41,183 |
| 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 South Haven.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: 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 compares with the towns next door
South Haven spent $7,822 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.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| South Haven Township | $396 | $2,034 |
| Casco Township | $565 | $3,422 |
| South Haven | $7,822 | $4,726 |
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’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about South Haven’s government
How much does South Haven spend per resident?
About $11,198 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 $7,822 was more than 99% of 120 Michigan cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in South Haven?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $4,726 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.04% 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’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 yet.
How did South Haven vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 62.4%, Donald J Trump 36.1% (2,453 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?
90 full-time and 30 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $559,580 (about $6.7M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents South Haven 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’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 →