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Township

Nelson Township

Kent County

Nelson Township is a township in Kent County, Michigan. In 2025, primary homes here pay a total of 24.29–41.59 mills in property tax, depending on the school district; rentals, second homes and businesses pay 42.07–59.37 mills. It levied property tax in 3 tax areas in 2025. In fiscal year 2025 it reported $999,555 in spending across all its funds. It has 3 boards and sub-entities.

Total property tax rate, primary homes

24.29–41.59

mills in 2025 · 3 tax areas · about $3,952–$6,766 a year on a median home (estimate)

Total property tax rate, rentals, second homes and businesses

42.07–59.37

mills in 2025 · includes the school operating tax

Levies, 2025

2

in 3 tax areas

Boards and sub-entities

3

Total property tax rates here, 2025

What property pays to every taxing body (the State, county, schools, local government and others), by tax area. A mill is $1 of tax per $1,000 of taxable value.

Compare with every tax area in Kent County →

School district Primary homes mills Median home est. yearly tax Rentals, second homes and businesses mills
Tri County Area Schools, in the Village of Sand Lake 41.5878 $6,766 59.3736
Cedar Springs Public Schools 28.7877 $4,684 46.1152
Tri County Area Schools 24.2886 $3,952 42.0744

Rates differ within Nelson Township because parts of it are in different school districts (Cedar Springs Public Schools and Tri County Area Schools), and part of it is in the Village of Sand Lake, which levies its own tax.

Kent County's certified rates split each area's total between a summer and a winter tax bill; open an area below to see its split.

Primary homes, which their owners live in, pay the homestead rate; so do qualified farmland and a few other kinds of property exempt from the school operating tax. Rentals, second homes and most businesses pay the non-homestead rate, which includes it. What these terms mean

Median home, estimated: the yearly tax a new buyer would pay on a primary home at Kent County's median value, $325,400 (Census Bureau, 2024): half the value times the mills, divided by 1,000. An estimate, not a bill. How the estimate works

Every levy, by tax area

Tri County Area Schools, in the Village of Sand Lake · 41.5878 primary homes, 59.3736 other
Levy Levied by Primary homes mills Median home est. yearly tax Rentals, second homes and businesses mills
Allocated or Charter Operating Village of Sand Lake 13.4692 $2,191 13.4692
State Education Tax State of Michigan 6.0000 $976 6.0000
County Allocated Operating Kent County 4.0605 $661 4.0605
Voted Operating Village of Sand Lake 3.8300 $623 3.8300
ISD Voted Special Education Montcalm Area ISD 3.4078 $554 3.4078
School Debt Tri County Area Schools 3.3500 $545 3.3500
Community College Montcalm Community College 2.6044 $424 2.6044
Library Kent District Library 1.0832 $176 1.0832
Voted Operating Nelson Township 0.8622 $140 0.8622
Allocated or Charter Operating Nelson Township 0.8078 $131 0.8078
Jail Kent County 0.7417 $121 0.7417
Senior Citizens Kent County 0.4914 $80 0.4914
Zoo and Museum Kent County 0.4134 $67 0.4134
Ready by Five Kent County 0.2476 $40 0.2476
ISD Allocated Operating Montcalm Area ISD 0.1695 $28 0.1695
Veterans Kent County 0.0491 $8 0.0491
School Operating (Non-Homestead) Tri County Area Schools 0.0000 $0 17.7858
Cedar Springs Public Schools · 28.7877 primary homes, 46.1152 other

Billed in 2 parts, in mills: primary homes summer 24.0913, winter 4.6964; rentals, second homes and businesses summer 41.4188, winter 4.6964.

Levy Levied by Primary homes mills Median home est. yearly tax Rentals, second homes and businesses mills
School Debt Cedar Springs Public Schools 7.0000 $1,139 7.0000
State Education Tax State of Michigan 6.0000 $976 6.0000
ISD Voted Special Education Kent ISD 4.3364 $706 4.3364
County Allocated Operating Kent County 4.0605 $661 4.0605
Community College Grand Rapids Community College 1.6793 $273 1.6793
Library Kent District Library 1.0832 $176 1.0832
ISD Voted Vocational Education Kent ISD 0.9310 $151 0.9310
Voted Operating Nelson Township 0.8622 $140 0.8622
Allocated or Charter Operating Nelson Township 0.8078 $131 0.8078
Jail Kent County 0.7417 $121 0.7417
Senior Citizens Kent County 0.4914 $80 0.4914
Zoo and Museum Kent County 0.4134 $67 0.4134
Ready by Five Kent County 0.2476 $40 0.2476
ISD Allocated Operating Kent ISD 0.0841 $14 0.0841
Veterans Kent County 0.0491 $8 0.0491
School Operating (Non-Homestead) Cedar Springs Public Schools 0.0000 $0 17.3275
Tri County Area Schools · 24.2886 primary homes, 42.0744 other

Billed in 2 parts, in mills: primary homes summer 10.0605, winter 14.2281; rentals, second homes and businesses summer 10.0605, winter 32.0139.

Levy Levied by Primary homes mills Median home est. yearly tax Rentals, second homes and businesses mills
State Education Tax State of Michigan 6.0000 $976 6.0000
County Allocated Operating Kent County 4.0605 $661 4.0605
ISD Voted Special Education Montcalm Area ISD 3.4078 $554 3.4078
School Debt Tri County Area Schools 3.3500 $545 3.3500
Community College Montcalm Community College 2.6044 $424 2.6044
Library Kent District Library 1.0832 $176 1.0832
Voted Operating Nelson Township 0.8622 $140 0.8622
Allocated or Charter Operating Nelson Township 0.8078 $131 0.8078
Jail Kent County 0.7417 $121 0.7417
Senior Citizens Kent County 0.4914 $80 0.4914
Zoo and Museum Kent County 0.4134 $67 0.4134
Ready by Five Kent County 0.2476 $40 0.2476
ISD Allocated Operating Montcalm Area ISD 0.1695 $28 0.1695
Veterans Kent County 0.0491 $8 0.0491
School Operating (Non-Homestead) Tri County Area Schools 0.0000 $0 17.7858

Where the property tax goes here

Each tax area's total for primary homes, split by who levies it.

Of the $3,952–$6,766 a year a new buyer of a median primary home here would pay (an estimate), about $272 goes to Nelson Township (4–7%). The rest goes to the other bodies that levy here: the State, the county, the schools and others.

Nelson Township's 3 tax areas rank 10th, 77th and 90th highest of Kent County's 94 for primary homes. See every area

  • State
  • County
  • ISD and college
  • School district
  • City, township or village
  • Library, transit and other
  • Village of Sand Lake Tri County Area Schools 41.5878 mills $6,766

    Village of Sand Lake with Tri County Area Schools: 41.5878 mills in total (State 6.0000, County 6.0037, ISD and college 6.1817, School district 3.3500, City, township or village 18.9692, Library, transit and other 1.0832), estimated $6,766 a year for a new buyer

  • Nelson Township Cedar Springs Public Schools 28.7877 mills $4,684

    Nelson Township with Cedar Springs Public Schools: 28.7877 mills in total (State 6.0000, County 6.0037, ISD and college 7.0308, School district 7.0000, City, township or village 1.6700, Library, transit and other 1.0832), estimated $4,684 a year for a new buyer

  • Nelson Township Tri County Area Schools 24.2886 mills $3,952

    Nelson Township with Tri County Area Schools: 24.2886 mills in total (State 6.0000, County 6.0037, ISD and college 6.1817, School district 3.3500, City, township or village 1.6700, Library, transit and other 1.0832), estimated $3,952 a year for a new buyer

The figures as a table
Tax area State County ISD and college School district City, township or village Library, transit and other Total Estimated tax
Village of Sand Lake, Tri County Area Schools 6.0000 6.0037 6.1817 3.3500 18.9692 1.0832 41.5878 $6,766
Nelson Township, Cedar Springs Public Schools 6.0000 6.0037 7.0308 7.0000 1.6700 1.0832 28.7877 $4,684
Nelson Township, Tri County Area Schools 6.0000 6.0037 6.1817 3.3500 1.6700 1.0832 24.2886 $3,952

Median home, estimated: the yearly tax a new buyer would pay on a primary home at Kent County's median value, $325,400 (Census Bureau, 2024): half the value times the mills, divided by 1,000. An estimate, not a bill. How the estimate works

What Nelson Township levies, 2025

Only its own millages, part of the totals above, and how many tax areas each is levied in.

Levy Primary homes mills Median home est. yearly tax Rentals, second homes and businesses mills Tax areas
Voted Operating 0.8622 $140 0.8622 3
Allocated or Charter Operating 0.8078 $131 0.8078 3

Median home, estimated: the yearly tax a new buyer would pay on a primary home at Kent County's median value, $325,400 (Census Bureau, 2024): half the value times the mills, divided by 1,000. An estimate, not a bill. How the estimate works

Money in and out, fiscal year 2025

From its annual financial report, as filed with the Michigan Department of Treasury. Its fiscal year ends in March.

Revenue

$1.3M

all funds

Spending

$1000K

all funds

Spending per resident

$199

2024 population: 5,033

General fund spending

$826K

budget: $982K

Spending by purpose

All funds. Share of $999,555 in total.

  • General government $478,394 48%
    Legislative (Council, Board, Commission) $17,225
    Chief Executive $39,651
    Treasurer $56,855
    Clerk $74,445
    Assessing Equalization $57,593
    Elections $40,516
    Building and Grounds $88,108
    All Other General Government $104,001
  • Public safety $172,314 17%
    Fire $115,907
    Building Inspection & Regulation Activities $56,407
  • Capital outlay, debt service and other $171,102 17%
    Capital Outlay $171,102
  • Recreation and culture $63,256 6%
    Library $63,256
  • Public works $61,058 6%
    Public Works (Non-Act 51) $21,512
    All Other Public Works $39,546
  • Community and economic development $53,431 5%
    Community Planning and Zoning $53,431

Revenue by source

All funds. Share of $1,312,159 in total.

  • State grants $481,760 37%
    State Revenue Sharing $472,180
    Other General/All Other State Aid Grants $9,580
  • Taxes $395,726 30%
    Property Tax (includes, delinquent taxes, penalties, interest, fees, community wide special assessments) $395,726
  • Federal grants $221,287 17%
    General Government $221,287
  • Interest and rents $70,006 5%
    Interest & Dividends $65,556
    Rents & Royalties $4,450
  • Licenses and permits $68,346 5%
    Business Licenses and Permits $8,172
    Non-Business Licenses and Permits $60,174
  • Charges for services $44,043 3%
    All Other Services Rendered Charges $44,043
  • Special assessments $12,600 1%
    Special Assessments $12,600
  • Other revenue $9,586 1%
    Miscellaneous Other Revenue $9,586
  • Fines and forfeits $8,805 1%
    All Fines, Penalties & Forfeits $8,805

"All funds" is the report's total column: the general fund, other governmental funds, enterprise funds such as water and sewer, internal service funds and component units. Its totals include money moved between the government's own funds, and revenue includes money borrowed. Spending per resident is total spending divided by the population shown; the shares are each heading's part of its total. Open a heading to see the lines filed under it.

Population: DashBoard_Metrics (MI Community Financial Dashboard), Michigan Department of Treasury.

Source: FY2025 F65 Township Part 2, Michigan Department of Treasury, retrieved November 3, 2026.

Revenue and spending, fiscal years 2016–2025

All funds, as filed each year.

Revenue Spending
The figures as a table
Fiscal year Revenue Spending General fund spending Long-term debt
2025 $1,312,159 $999,555 $826,276 —
2024 $1,197,572 $898,756 $750,328 —
2023 $976,943 $677,877 $538,062 —
2022 $912,598 $1,140,511 $1,062,866 —
2021 $828,988 $672,199 $593,513 —
2020 $792,060 $588,285 $502,712 —
2019 $747,595 $596,077 $528,818 —
2018 $741,600 $515,794 $451,145 —
2017 $696,447 $767,995 $674,146 —
2016 $733,691 $794,760 $652,919 $15,623

Each year links to the dataset it comes from. A year with dashes across has no report in the State's data.

Debt, pensions and staff, fiscal year 2025

As reported in the same filing.

Debt and fund balance

Long-term debt at year end
—
General fund balance at year end
$1,973,682
Of which unassigned
$1,678,873

Pensions and retiree health care

Unfunded pension liability
—
Pension funded, general employees
—
Pension funded, police and fire
—
Unfunded retiree health care (OPEB)
—

Staff

Police
—
Fire
—
Combined public safety
—
All other staff
49
Wages and salaries
$372,321

A dash means the State's data has no figure for that line. Its datasets leave out zero amounts in most years, so a dash can also be a zero that was filed. The unfunded pension liability is the filing's "aggregate pension liability" line.

Source: FY2025 F65 Township Part 2, Michigan Department of Treasury, retrieved November 3, 2026.

Boards and sub-entities

Boards, commissions and committees

Transparency checks

What this body files with the State and posts online, checked against the law and good practice.

Grade pending

A grade appears once every check below has been read and the site has set its grading scale. Every check counts the same.

Required by law

5 found · 0 not found

  • Found: Audit filed with the State for the latest fiscal year

    Treasury's Document Search shows the audit for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 as received, sent July 21, 2025.

    Uniform Budgeting and Accounting Act, MCL 141.421 et seq.; MCL 141.921 · FY2025 · Read September 27, 2026 from State records · Evidence for Audit filed with the State for the latest fiscal year

  • Found: Audit filed on time

    Sent July 21, 2025, within six months of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 (due September 30, 2025; fiscal year end from its F-65).

    Due six months after fiscal year end; MCL 141.921 · FY2025 · Read September 27, 2026 from State records · Evidence for Audit filed on time

  • Found: Annual financial report (F-65) filed with the State

    Treasury's Document Search shows the annual financial report (F-65) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 as received, sent July 21, 2025.

    MCL 141.424(3) · FY2025 · Read September 27, 2026 from State records · Evidence for Annual financial report (F-65) filed with the State

  • Found: Annual financial report (F-65) filed on time

    Sent July 21, 2025, within six months of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 (due September 30, 2025; fiscal year end from its F-65).

    Due six months after fiscal year end; MCL 141.424(3) · FY2025 · Read September 27, 2026 from State records · Evidence for Annual financial report (F-65) filed on time

  • Found: FOIA procedures and written public summary posted

    The Helpful Links page (the homepage has no FOIA link; found through the site search) lists "Public Summary of FOIA Procedures and Guidelines" (/DocumentCenter/View/279) and "FOIA Procedures and Guidelines" (/DocumentCenter/View/277). The page was located through the site search at /Search, which the site's robots.txt disallows for automated readers; see the research note.

    MCL 15.234(4) · Read September 27, 2026 on its website · Evidence for FOIA procedures and written public summary posted

Good practice

1 found · 10 not found

About

Type
Township

Codes

Census of Governments ID
128453
Census GEOID (county subdivision)
2608156920
Michigan Treasury unit code
411140

Sources

Where this page's facts come from.

Open Government Project · a nonpartisan, nonprofit project

Every figure comes from a public record, cited on its page.