West Branch spent more per resident in 2022 than 75% of similar cities
West Branch’s city government spent $3.4 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,661 per resident. The airport ($50,000) are counted separately.
What stands out about how West Branch is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$1,661 per resident in 2022: more than 75% of them
West Branch’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,661 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 $1,078, and the middle half spent $748–$1,624. West Branch spent more than 75% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.1 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 under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; West Branch itself left out).
About $1,661 per resident a year, or $4.55 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 31%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
West Branch reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $1,958 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.32% 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’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’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in West Branch →
Who’s in charge in West Branch
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
West Branch’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on westbranch.com ↗.
One full-time city employee for every 42 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 (2,046).
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.
West Branch-Rose City Area Schools
West Branch’s K–12 school district, shared with Churchill Township, Clement Township, Cumming Township, Edwards Township, Foster Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $14,869 per pupil, $7,938 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 West Branch voted in 2024
Official results for West Branch’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican61.6%677 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat36.5%401 votesOthers: 1.9% (21 votes).
Most votes in West Branch: Donald J Trump
Ogemaw County: Trump 70.3%, Harris 28.3% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of West Branch’s 1,731 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Mike RogersRepublican58.6%
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat37.5%Most votes in West Branch: Mike Rogers
Ogemaw County: Rogers 67.5%, Slotkin 29.9% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: Jack Bergman
Whole-district result
President, 2024: West Branch, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Branch | 61.6% | 36.5% | 1.9% | 1,099 |
| Ogemaw County | 70.3% | 28.3% | 1.3% | 12,622 |
| 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.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: westbranch.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 West Branch compares with the towns next door
West Branch spent $1,661 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ogemaw Township | $310 | $1,856 |
| West Branch Township | $572 | $1,544 |
| West Branch | $1,661 | $1,958 |
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’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about West Branch’s government
How much does West Branch spend per resident?
About $1,661 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,661 was more than 75% of 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in West Branch?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,958 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.32% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see westbranch.com.
Who runs West Branch’s government?
See westbranch.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for West Branch yet.
How did West Branch vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 61.6%, Kamala D Harris 36.5% (1,099 votes, official results). Ogemaw County: Trump 70.3%, Harris 28.3%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for West Branch?
49 full-time and 2 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $213,849 (about $2.6M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents West Branch in the state legislature?
State Senate District 36 (Michele Hoitenga) and State House District 99 (Mike Hoadley). The House district also covers 69 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about West Branch’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 →