West Traverse Township spent more per resident in 2022 than 81% of similar towns
West Traverse Township’s town government spent $853,000 on day-to-day services in the year to March 31, 2022, about $520 per resident. The airport ($9,000) are counted separately.
What stands out about how West Traverse Township is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$520 per resident in 2022: more than 81% of them
West Traverse Township’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($520 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 $193–$426. West Traverse Township spent more than 81% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($124,000), 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 under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; West Traverse Township itself left out).
About $520 per resident a year, or $1.42 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 34%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
West Traverse Township reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $3,346 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.84% 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 Traverse 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 Traverse Township’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in West Traverse Township →
Who’s in charge in West Traverse Township
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Harbor Springs School District
West Traverse Township’s K–12 school district, shared with Cross Village Township, Friendship Township, Harbor Springs, Readmond Township, Little Traverse Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $23,035 per pupil, $13,862 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 Traverse Township voted in 2024
Official results for West Traverse Township’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican55.2%829 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat43.7%656 votesOthers: 1.1% (17 votes).
Most votes in West Traverse Township: Donald J Trump
Emmet County: Trump 54.5%, Harris 43.8% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
Mike RogersRepublican56.5%
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat42.1%Most votes in West Traverse Township: Mike Rogers
Emmet County: Rogers 54.3%, Slotkin 43.1% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: Jack Bergman
Whole-district result
President, 2024: West Traverse Township, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Traverse Township | 55.2% | 43.7% | 1.1% | 1,502 |
| Emmet County | 54.5% | 43.8% | 1.7% | 22,851 |
| 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 Traverse 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 Traverse Township compares with the towns next door
West Traverse Township spent $520 per resident in 2022; the 4 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $299 to $7,264. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Pleasantview Township | $299 | $2,523 |
| Friendship Township | $307 | $2,767 |
| Little Traverse Township | $535 | $2,445 |
| Harbor Springs | $7,264 | $4,469 |
| West Traverse Township | $520 | $3,346 |
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 Traverse Township’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about West Traverse Township’s government
How much does West Traverse Township spend per resident?
About $520 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 $520 was more than 81% 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 Traverse Township?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $3,346 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.84% 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 Traverse Township’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for West Traverse Township yet.
How did West Traverse Township vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 55.2%, Kamala D Harris 43.7% (1,502 votes, official results). Emmet County: Trump 54.5%, Harris 43.8%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for West Traverse Township?
0 full-time and 9 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $15,295 (about $183,540 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents West Traverse Township in the state legislature?
State Senate District 37 (John Damoose) and State House District 107 (Parker Fairbairn). The House district also covers 57 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about West Traverse 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 →