Williamston Downtown Historic District · Photo: kennethaw88 · CC BY 4.0Williamston spent less per resident in 2022 than 81% of similar cities
Williamston’s city government spent $4.8 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,225 per resident.
What stands out about how Williamston is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$1,225 per resident in 2022: less than 81% of them
Williamston’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,225 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 $1,684, and the middle half spent $1,333–$2,384. Williamston spent less than 81% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($2.2 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; Williamston itself left out).
About $1,225 per resident a year, or $3.36 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 45%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Williamston reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $4,259 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.88% 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 Williamston’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 Williamston’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Williamston →
Who’s in charge in Williamston
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Williamston’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on williamston-mi.us ↗.
One full-time city employee for every 196 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 (3,928).
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.
Williamston Community Schools
Williamston’s K–12 school district, shared with Williamstown Township, Wheatfield Township, Leroy Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $13,615 per pupil, $7,746 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 Williamston voted in 2024
Official results for Williamston’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat54.0%1,312 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican43.9%1,067 votesOthers: 2.1% (50 votes).
Most votes in Williamston: Kamala D Harris
Ingham County: Harris 63.8%, Trump 34.1% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of Williamston’s 2,879 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat55.2%
Mike RogersRepublican42.7%Most votes in Williamston: Elissa Slotkin
Ingham County: Slotkin 64.5%, Rogers 32.8% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: Tom Barrett
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Williamston, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williamston | 54.0% | 43.9% | 2.1% | 2,429 |
| Ingham County | 63.8% | 34.1% | 2.0% | 148,101 |
| 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 Williamston.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: williamston-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 Williamston compares with the towns next door
Williamston spent $1,225 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wheatfield Township | $127 | $4,644 |
| Williamstown Township | $194 | $5,853 |
| Williamston | $1,225 | $4,259 |
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 Williamston’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Williamston’s government
How much does Williamston spend per resident?
About $1,225 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 $1,225 was less than 81% of 120 Michigan cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Williamston?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $4,259 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.88% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see williamston-mi.us.
Who runs Williamston’s government?
See williamston-mi.us for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Williamston yet.
How did Williamston vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 54.0%, Donald J Trump 43.9% (2,429 votes, official results). Ingham County: Harris 63.8%, Trump 34.1%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for Williamston?
20 full-time and 3 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $119,099 (about $1.4M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Williamston in the state legislature?
State Senate District 28 (Sam Singh) and State House District 73 (Julie Brixie). The House district also covers 22 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Williamston’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 →