Walker spent less per resident in 2022 than 94% of similar cities
Walker’s city government spent $29.2 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $1,164 per resident.
What stands out about how Walker is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$998 per resident in 2022: less than 94% of them
Walker’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($998 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 $1,682, and the middle half spent $1,488–$2,015. Walker spent less than 94% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Michigan cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Walker itself left out).
About $1,164 per resident a year, or $3.19 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 23%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Day-to-day spending is up 16% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years Walker 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: $998 · 2024: $1,164.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
The typical homeowner pays $2,698 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.91% 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 Walker’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 Walker’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Walker →
Who’s in charge in Walker
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Walker’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on ci.walker.mi.us ↗.
One full-time city employee for every 241 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 (25,086).
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.
Kenowa Hills Public Schools
Walker’s K–12 school district, shared with Alpine Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $15,458 per pupil, $9,504 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.
Grandville Public Schools · $15,434 per pupil
Comstock Park Public Schools · $15,300 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Walker voted in 2024
Official results for Walker’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican52.3%7,805 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat46.0%6,862 votesOthers: 1.7% (253 votes).
Most votes in Walker: Donald J Trump
Kent County: Harris 51.8%, Trump 46.4% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of Walker’s 19,085 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Mike RogersRepublican51.8%
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat45.3%Most votes in Walker: Mike Rogers
Kent County: Slotkin 50.9%, Rogers 46.3% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: Hillary Scholten
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Walker, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walker | 52.3% | 46.0% | 1.7% | 14,920 |
| Kent County | 46.4% | 51.8% | 1.8% | 371,947 |
| 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 Walker.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: ci.walker.mi.us ↗
- 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 Walker compares with the towns next door
Walker spent $998 per resident in 2022; the 5 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $184 to $1,892. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Tallmadge Township | $184 | $3,489 |
| Alpine Township | $294 | $2,807 |
| Wyoming | $1,188 | $2,812 |
| Grandville | $1,332 | $3,377 |
| Grand Rapids | $1,892 | $2,493 |
| Walker | $998 | $2,698 |
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 Walker’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Walker’s government
How much does Walker spend per resident?
About $1,164 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 $998 was less than 94% of 18 Michigan cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Walker?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,698 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.91% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see ci.walker.mi.us.
Who runs Walker’s government?
See ci.walker.mi.us for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Walker yet.
How did Walker vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 52.3%, Kamala D Harris 46.0% (14,920 votes, official results). Kent County: Harris 51.8%, Trump 46.4%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for Walker?
104 full-time and 65 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $697,319 (about $8.4M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Walker in the state legislature?
State Senate District 30 (Mark Huizenga) and State House District 84 (Carol Glanville). The House district also covers two neighboring towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Walker’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 →