Michigan doesn’t have “towns”, only cities, villages, and townships, according to this Ask the Expert episode featuring a Government and Community Vitality Educator with Michigan State University Extension.
The episode breaks down townships as the basic building block of local government in Michigan, tracing their roots to New England and explaining how their legal authority comes from state statute. It covers what townships are required to do — assessing property, collecting taxes, and administering elections — along with the roles of elected officials like the supervisor, treasurer, clerk, and trustees.
The conversation also draws out the difference between general law townships and charter townships, which carry additional authority and protection against annexation, including the ability to appoint a superintendent to handle day-to-day operations.
For anyone who’s ever wondered exactly what their local township does, or how it differs from a city or village, this is a clear, quick primer straight from the source.
