Grand Traverse County Real Estate | Living in Grand Traverse County

Welcome to Grand Traverse County

World-class resort living on the beautiful Lake Michigan coast

One of the most desirable areas in all of Michigan, Grand Traverse County has become one of the most affluent counties in the state. The area is filled with resort-style living, high-end amenities, and an outdoor playground with numerous opportunities and recreational activities for those looking for homes for sale in Grand Traverse County and residents alike to enjoy all year round.

Originally founded as a county in 1851, Grand Traverse County is a vibrant and historically rich area with over twelve recognized historical markers, including the City Opera House and Grand Traverse Bay. This distinct blend of historical landmarks and beautiful new features has helped turn the area into a serious destination, with Traverse City being one of the largest and most vibrant locales in all of Northern Michigan.

What to Love

Luxurious resort lifestyle
Various outdoor recreational activities
Charming Grand Traverse County homes for sale that can be situated more inland or waterfront along the Grand Traverse Bay
Beautiful, picturesque scenery
World-class amenities and residences
Stunning Grand Traverse County houses for sale to choose from

People & Lifestyle - Living in Grand Traverse County

Grand Traverse County is one of the more populated areas in Northern Michigan, with numerous families and young professionals settling down here for its security, booming economy, and charming communities. The average annual household income is slightly over the national average, with residents working a combination of white-collar professional positions as well as blue-collar jobs. The average home in Grand Traverse County is valued right around the national average, making it ideal for younger professionals who are just starting out.

Many residents here enjoy a lively and energetic lifestyle. Those with a stake in Grand Traverse County's real estate make the most of the area’s natural beauty as well as the numerous shopping and entertainment options available.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

The dining scene in Grand Traverse County is one of the best in Northern Michigan, with delicious and exciting restaurants and eateries in every neighborhood. Grand Traverse Pie Company is one local favorite, with plenty of sweet and savory options to ensure every guest has something they’ll love, including strawberry Champagne, Old Mission cherry, and chicken pot pie that guests rave over.

Red Ginger serves some of the best Asian cuisine in the county. Their authentic and creative menu includes dishes such as Chinese-style ribs, miso-glazed Chilean sea bass, and lobster fried rice. Of course, when residents are looking for an elegant evening out, there’s nowhere better than Boathouse Restaurant. This outstanding fine-dining establishment offers guests a beautiful waterfront setting alongside dishes such as New Zealand lamb rack, Maine lobster tail, and pan-seared Norwegian salmon.

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is also a highly regarded dining destination in its own right. With eight restaurants and eateries right on site, this resort ensures that guests are able to enjoy a culinary adventure right inside the hotel. Using the best ingredients from near and far, you can rest assured that you’ll dine on the most delicious dishes during your stay.

Things to Do in Grand Traverse County

While residents are able to enjoy the amazing natural wonders Grand Traverse County has to offer throughout the year, there are also a variety of annual events and activities put on by the communities that help keep the area fun and vibrant. The National Writers Series is a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding the minds and imaginations of local residents through intimate conversations with world-renowned authors such as Jodie Picoult and Alice Walker.

Great Lakes Equestrian Festival is another popular annual event. This beautiful competition is set on 88 acres of world-class riding areas, making it one of the most popular competitions for riders from around the country.

Another extremely popular competition in the area is the Bayshore Marathon. Founded in 1983 as a way for running enthusiasts to share local beauty with the world, the marathon is now one of the biggest in the state. The North American Vasa also takes place every year in Grand Traverse County. This one-of-a-kind cross-country skiing event brings together those who love winter sports and is a great opportunity to get the whole family involved.

Schools in Grand Traverse County

Grand Traverse County is dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to a high-quality education—as a result, there are a number of highly-rated and nationally recognized schools in the area, including:

Interlochen Center for the Arts, an immersive arts experience for children grades 3-12. Numerous musicians and artists have passed through as students, including actress Victoria Park, Grammy Award winner Norah Jones, and singer Josh Groban
Northwestern Community College, highly-rated community college offering numerous programs for associates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Demographics and Employment Data for Grand Traverse, MI

Population Households Employment

Grand Traverse has 38,511 households, with an average household size of 2.41. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Grand Traverse do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 94,562 people call Grand Traverse home. The population density is 203.65 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

94,562

Total Population

Low

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

42.9

Median Age

49.5 / 50.5%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree

38,511

Total Households

2.41

Average Household Size

$36,651

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Around Grand Traverse, MI

There's plenty to do around Grand Traverse, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

30

Car-Dependent

Walking Score

41

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Cracked, Full Send Ramen, and Chubby Unicorn.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Cracked page on Yelp	Dining	4.66 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Full Send Ramen page on Yelp	Dining · $$	2.76 miles	10 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Chubby Unicorn page on Yelp Search 439 E Front St on Google Maps	Dining	4.5 miles	12 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Rocket Fizz page on Yelp Search 111-B E Front St on Google Maps	Dining	4.81 miles	7 reviews	4.9/5 stars
Visit the Bull and Bear Kitchen page on Yelp Search 439 E Eighth St on Google Maps	Dining	4.27 miles	6 reviews	4.8/5 stars
Visit the The Honey Baked Ham Company page on Yelp Search 815 S Garfield Ave on Google Maps	Dining	3.29 miles	6 reviews	4.8/5 stars
Visit the Top Comics page on Yelp Search 966 West South Airport Rd on Google Maps	Shopping	2.4 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the My Secret Stash page on Yelp Search 122 Cass St on Google Maps	Shopping	4.69 miles	16 reviews	4.9/5 stars
Visit the Storm Hawk Sport Fishing page on Yelp Search 225 E Sixteenth St on Google Maps	Active	4.03 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Daydreamer Charters page on Yelp Search 826 Avenue D on Google Maps	Active	2.66 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Kris Gagnon Hair page on Yelp Search 518 E Front St on Google Maps	Beauty	4.44 miles	35 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Robertson's Hair Center page on Yelp Search 109 S Union St on Google Maps	Beauty	4.8 miles	11 reviews	4.9/5 stars