Deerfield Township vs Marathon Township: property taxes compared
Deerfield Township is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 20.7543 mills against Marathon Township's 23.3360 — about $452 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
Side by side
| Municipality | Homestead mills | County rank | $250,000 | $350,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deerfield Township | 20.7543–26.1043 | 4 of 21 | $2,594 | $3,632 | $5,189 |
| Marathon Township | 23.3360–35.8182 | 13 of 21 | $2,917 | $4,084 | $5,834 |
Dollar columns are the annual homestead bill at the uncapped taxable value — roughly half the purchase price. Multi-district cities show their full rate range; the rank and dollar figures use each city's lowest district.
Same schools, different bill
These two municipalities share 2 school districts. A school district is not a taxing unit — the city millage stacks on top — so the same classrooms can cost a different amount per year depending on which side of the municipal line the house sits.
| Shared district | Deerfield Township | Marathon Township | Gap on $350k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeville Community School District | 23.5170 | 23.3360 | $32/yr |
| North Branch Area Schools | 26.1043 | 25.9233 | $32/yr |
Common questions
Is Deerfield Township or Marathon Township cheaper for property taxes?
Deerfield Township is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 20.7543 mills against Marathon Township's 23.3360 — about $452 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
How much more are property taxes in Marathon Township than Deerfield Township?
About $452 a year on a $350,000 home — 23.3360 mills versus 20.7543 at each city's lowest homestead rate, using the official 2025 Michigan Treasury millage report.
Do Deerfield Township and Marathon Township share any school districts?
Yes — Lakeville Community School District, North Branch Area Schools. The rate still differs across the municipal line because city millage stacks on top of the school levy, so the same district can cost more in one city than the other.
Will my bill match what the listing shows?
Usually not, in either city. Michigan taxable value uncaps the year after a sale and resets to roughly half the purchase price, so the seller's capped bill on the listing is almost always lower than what you will pay.