West Branch Township spent less per resident in 2022 than 82% of similar towns
West Branch Township’s town government spent $80,000 on day-to-day services in the year to March 31, 2022, about $168 per resident.
What stands out about how West Branch Township is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$168 per resident in 2022: less than 82% of them
West Branch Township’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($168 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 686 Michigan towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $275, and the middle half spent $194–$428. West Branch Township spent less than 82% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Michigan towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; West Branch Township itself left out).
About $168 per resident a year, or $0.46 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 56%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
West Branch Township reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $1,235 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.90% 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 West Branch 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. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.
Tax bills are one input to West Branch Township’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in West Branch Township →
Who’s in charge in West Branch Township
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Lake City Area School District
West Branch Township’s K–12 school district, shared with Forest Township, Lake City, Norwich Township, Pioneer Township, Lake Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $14,224 per pupil, $7,982 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.
Houghton Lake Community School District · $14,267 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How West Branch Township voted in 2024
Official results for West Branch Township’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican80.5%243 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat17.5%53 votesOthers: 2.0% (6 votes).
Most votes in West Branch Township: Donald J Trump
Missaukee County: Trump 77.2%, Harris 21.3% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of West Branch Township’s 331 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Mike RogersRepublican77.7%
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat19.2%Most votes in West Branch Township: Mike Rogers
Missaukee County: Rogers 75.7%, Slotkin 21.4% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: Jack Bergman
Whole-district result
President, 2024: West Branch Township, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Branch Township | 80.5% | 17.5% | 2.0% | 302 |
| Missaukee County | 77.2% | 21.3% | 1.5% | 9,152 |
| 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 West Branch Township.
- 1Your townTown governmentLocal officials aren’t on record yet.
- 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 West Branch Township compares with the towns next door
West Branch Township spent $168 per resident in 2022; the 3 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $137 to $345. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Township | $137 | $1,509 |
| Aetna Township | $239 | $1,750 |
| Norwich Township | $345 | $1,705 |
| Enterprise Township | estimate | $1,412 |
| West Branch Township | $168 | $1,235 |
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 West Branch Township’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about West Branch Township’s government
How much does West Branch Township spend per resident?
About $168 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to March 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $168 was less than 82% of 686 Michigan towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in West Branch Township?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,235 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.90% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the town’s assessor.
Who runs West Branch Township’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for West Branch Township yet.
How did West Branch Township vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 80.5%, Kamala D Harris 17.5% (302 votes, official results). Missaukee County: Trump 77.2%, Harris 21.3%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for West Branch Township?
0 full-time and 30 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $13,822 (about $165,864 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents West Branch Township in the state legislature?
State Senate District 36 (Michele Hoitenga) and State House District 105 (Ken Borton). The House district also covers 56 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about West Branch 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 →