RANK #242 / 996 · POP 95,315 · MI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.8%
Known as the "Cherry Capital of the World," Grand Traverse County, Michigan, is situated in the northwest Lower Peninsula on Grand Traverse Bay, an inlet of Lake Michigan. The county seat, Traverse City, is approximately a four-hour drive from Detroit. The community offers a blend of small-town charm and access to natural scenery, including miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, numerous inland lakes, and rolling hills. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for hiking, biking on trails like the TART Trails network, boating, and fishing in warmer months, and skiing and snowshoeing in winter. The Interlochen Center for the Arts also provides cultural attractions.
Life in Grand Traverse County appeals to families, professionals, and retirees seeking a high quality of life. Public schools in the county are highly rated, including Traverse City Area Public Schools and Grand Traverse Academy. Commuting within the county is generally manageable, with an average travel time to work of around 21 minutes, though summer tourism can increase traffic. The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) provides public bus services throughout Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. The local economy is supported by diverse industries, including healthcare, education, tourism, and technology. Recent economic developments include investments in natural gas infrastructure to support population and business growth, and the county is expanding its government campus.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Rocklocker Data Center (Kalkaska County, regional impact)
Rocklocker (subsidiary of Reefworks)
|
$2,000M | Proposed |
|
DTE Energy Natural Gas System Reinforcement (TCARP & GRP)
DTE Energy
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Peninsula Place Residential Condominiums
Unknown
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Grand Traverse County LaFranier Road Campus Expansion (Project Alpha)
Grand Traverse County
|
$28M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Grand Traverse County has a Boom Town Index score of 76/100, ranking #242 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.0% and a median household income of $75,553, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Grand Traverse County is $273,300 with median rent at $1,147/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2764, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.0%. Home values changed +2.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.82% of Grand Traverse County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.