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Grand Traverse County, Michigan

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Not to be confused with Traverse County, Minnesota.

Grand Traverse County (/ˈtrævərs/ TRAV-ərss) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 95,238, making it the largest county in Northern Michigan.[2] Its county seat is Traverse City.[3] The county is part of the Traverse City metropolitan area, which also includes neighboring Benzie, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties.

Grand Traverse County
County
Grand Traverse County Courthouse in Traverse City
Grand Traverse County Courthouse in Traverse City
Official logo of Grand Traverse County
Logo
Nickname: 
"GTC"
Map of Michigan highlighting Grand Traverse County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°44′N 85°33′W / 44.73°N 85.55°W / 44.73; -85.55
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1840
1851 (organized)[1]
Named forGrand Traverse Bay
SeatTraverse City
Largest cityTraverse City
Area
 • Total
601 sq mi (1,560 km2)
 • Land464 sq mi (1,200 km2)
 • Water137 sq mi (350 km2)  23%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
95,238
 • Estimate 
(2023)
96,421 Increase
 • Density205/sq mi (79/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.gtcountymi.gov

Long a part of territory under the Council of Three Fires (comprising the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi), Grand Traverse County's first European settlement was established in 1839.[4] It was originally created in 1840 as Omeena County;[5][6] however, it was reorganized in 1851 as Grand Traverse County. The county itself and Traverse City are named after Grand Traverse Bay, a bay of Lake Michigan.

Interlochen Center for the Arts, a prestigious boarding school, is located within the county.

Traverse City State Hospital in Traverse City
The Boardman River in southern East Bay Township
Mission Point Light, at the northern tip of the Old Mission Peninsula, lies just south of the 45th parallel.[7]

History

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See also: History of Northern Michigan

Prior to European settlement, Grand Traverse County was part of territory under the Council of Three Fires (comprising the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi). These people called the area at the head of Grand Traverse Bay gichi-wiikwedoongsing (Ojibwe: 'place at the head of the great bay').

As a duty of the federal government under the 1836 Treaty of Washington, the first permanent settlement in the county was the mission now known as Old Mission, established in May 1839 as "Grand Traverse".[4] Grand Traverse Bay, from which the area takes its name, earned its name from 18th-century French voyageurs who made la grande traversée, or "the long crossing", across the mouth of bay.[1][8]

The Michigan Legislature separated the unorganized Omeena County from part of Michilimackinac County in 1840.[6] Omeena is derived from an Ojibwe expression, o-me-nah, meaning "is it so?"[5][9]

On April 7, 1851, an act of legislature organized Omeena County, effectively renaming it Grand Traverse County. The seat of government was designated to Boardman's Mills, a location in the young Traverse City. The future counties of Antrim, Benzie, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford were subsequently attached to Grand Traverse County for administrative purposes, until being organized in their own rights.[10] However, the act contained no provisions on formation of townships or choosing of election officials, thus Grand Traverse County had no legal government until 1858. That winter, an act of the state legislature completed the organization of Grand Traverse County and divided the county between two initial townships:[5]

Today, Grand Traverse County contains thirteen townships.

An 1884 article called the Traverse Region famous for "its productiveness of soil, salubrious climate and romantic scenery".[11]

Historical markers

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There are 12 recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:[12][13] They are:

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 601 square miles (1,560 km2), of which 464 square miles (1,200 km2) is land and 137 square miles (350 km2) (23%) is water.[15] Grand Traverse County is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. The highest point in Grand Traverse County is Exodus Hill in Long Lake Township, and the lowest point is the Grand Traverse Bay. The county is home to many notable lakes, including Arbutus Lake, Fife Lake, Green Lake, Silver Lake, Spider Lake, and part of Elk Lake. The county's largest inland lake is Long Lake.

The Old Mission Peninsula, which projects 17 miles (27 km) into Grand Traverse Bay, is politically part of Grand Traverse County, and is largely part of Peninsula Township. Power Island, an island in Grand Traverse Bay, is also part of Peninsula Township.

Rivers

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Kresge Auditorium, at the campus of Interlochen Center for the Arts
 
Power Island, in Grand Traverse Bay, from Chateau Chantal in Peninsula Township

Adjacent counties

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Protected area

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State parks

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Communities

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U.S. census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Grand Traverse County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

City

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Villages

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Charter townships

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Civil townships

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Indian reservation

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18601,286—
18704,443245.5%
18808,42289.6%
189013,35558.6%
190020,47953.3%
191023,78416.1%
192019,518−17.9%
193020,0112.5%
194023,39016.9%
195028,59822.3%
196033,49017.1%
197039,17517.0%
198054,89940.1%
199064,27317.1%
200077,65420.8%
201086,98612.0%
202095,2389.5%
2023 (est.)96,421[16]1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
1790-1960[18] 1900-1990[19]
1990-2000[20] 2010-2018[2]

As of the census[21] of 2000, there were 77,654 people, 30,396 households, and 20,730 families residing in the county. The population density was 167 inhabitants per square mile (64/km2). There were 34,842 housing units at an average density of 75 per square mile (29/km2). By 2020, its population grew to 95,238.

In 2000, the racial makeup of the county was 96.51% White, 0.40% Black or African American, 0.93% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 1.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.1% were of German, 11.3% English, 10.7% Irish, 8.4% American and 7.4% Polish ancestry, 96.4% spoke English and 1.6% Spanish as their first language.

There were 30,396 households, out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.70% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 29.70% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $43,169, and the median income for a family was $51,211. Males had a median income of $34,796 versus $24,139 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,111. About 3.80% of families and 5.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.30% of those under age 18 and 5.90% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

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Grand Traverse County is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord.[22] It is also located in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan.

Politics

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Historically, Grand Traverse County has been a Republican-leaning county, like most of northern Michigan. It has voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election since the Civil War,[23] except for four: 1912, 1932, 1936, and 1964. In 1912, it supported Bull Moose candidate Theodore Roosevelt as the GOP was mortally divided. The only other times it has not supported a Republican saw 400-vote and 40-state national Democratic landslides.

Since 2008, the county has become more politically competitive; with Democrats managing 40 percent of the vote in the last four elections after not having done so since carrying the county in 1964. Traverse City leans Democratic while the rest of the county remains powerfully Republican.

In the 2022 Michigan gubernatorial election, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer received 27,396 votes (52.38%), making it the first time a Democratic gubernatorial candidate has carried the county since 1986.[24]

United States presidential election results for Grand Traverse County, Michigan[25]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 31,423 50.07% 30,339 48.34% 998 1.59%
2020 30,502 50.54% 28,683 47.53% 1,168 1.94%
2016 27,413 52.73% 20,965 40.33% 3,607 6.94%
2012 26,534 55.05% 20,875 43.31% 788 1.63%
2008 24,716 50.60% 23,258 47.62% 869 1.78%
2004 27,446 59.42% 18,256 39.52% 489 1.06%
2000 22,358 58.48% 14,371 37.59% 1,500 3.92%
1996 16,355 49.07% 12,987 38.97% 3,987 11.96%
1992 13,629 39.55% 11,148 32.35% 9,684 28.10%
1988 17,191 62.46% 10,098 36.69% 236 0.86%
1984 18,036 70.83% 7,271 28.55% 157 0.62%
1980 14,484 58.63% 7,150 28.94% 3,072 12.43%
1976 13,505 63.85% 7,263 34.34% 382 1.81%
1972 11,421 64.81% 5,810 32.97% 390 2.21%
1968 8,960 61.51% 4,741 32.55% 866 5.94%
1964 6,198 45.26% 7,475 54.59% 20 0.15%
1960 8,618 63.65% 4,886 36.09% 36 0.27%
1956 9,102 73.47% 3,256 26.28% 30 0.24%
1952 9,034 77.14% 2,639 22.53% 38 0.32%
1948 5,473 68.28% 2,365 29.51% 177 2.21%
1944 5,413 67.03% 2,607 32.28% 55 0.68%
1940 5,620 64.27% 3,095 35.39% 30 0.34%
1936 3,676 46.07% 3,827 47.96% 477 5.98%
1932 3,442 45.70% 3,907 51.88% 182 2.42%
1928 4,429 74.56% 1,489 25.07% 22 0.37%
1924 4,011 74.86% 558 10.41% 789 14.73%
1920 4,056 74.04% 1,158 21.14% 264 4.82%
1916 1,917 45.81% 1,848 44.16% 420 10.04%
1912 899 23.25% 937 24.23% 2,031 52.52%
1908 2,811 65.88% 1,289 30.21% 167 3.91%
1904 3,383 81.40% 594 14.29% 179 4.31%
1900 3,127 68.38% 1,286 28.12% 160 3.50%
1896 2,533 57.20% 1,745 39.41% 150 3.39%
1892 1,734 54.70% 924 29.15% 512 16.15%
1888 1,859 63.10% 925 31.40% 162 5.50%
1884 1,645 64.59% 808 31.72% 94 3.69%

In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump carried the county, despite losing the state of Michigan. In 2020, he won the county with 50.54% (30,502 votes), and in 2016, won with 52.73% (27,413 votes).[26] Despite Trump's relatively similar percentage, his margin was massively decreased due to the lack of third party options in 2020 as well as a higher turnout for Democrats. In the 2024 election, despite being carried by Trump, Grand Traverse County was one of two counties in Michigan where Trump's percentage of votes decreased, along with neighboring Leelanau County.[27]

In 2008, Republican candidate John McCain received 24,716 votes in the county (50.60% of the total) to Democratic candidate Barack Obama's 23,258 (47.62%), even as Obama carried the state of Michigan by a double-digit margin.[28] McCain's margin of victory was narrower than usual for a Republican candidate in the county.

In 2004, Republican president George W. Bush received 27,446 votes in the county (59.42%) to Democrat John Kerry's 18,256 (39.52%).[29]

In 2000, Bush received 22,358 votes in the county (58.48%) to Democrat Al Gore's 14,371 (37.59%).[30]

Government

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The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Grand Traverse County is represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Jack Bergman (R), and is part of Michigan's 1st congressional district.

In the Michigan House of Representatives, Grand Traverse County is divided between the 103rd and 104th districts. The 103rd, which comprises Traverse City and the townships of East Bay, Garfield, Long Lake, and Peninsula, is represented in Lansing by Betsy Coffia (D). The 104th, which comprises the rest of Grand Traverse County, is represented by John Roth (R). In the Michigan Senate, Grand Traverse County is part of the 37th Senate district, and is represented by John Damoose (R).

Elected officials

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County commission

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Grand Traverse County Commissioners
Name Party District
Brian McAllister Republican 1
Lauren Flynn Democratic 2
Ashlea Walter Democratic 3
Brad Jewett Republican 4
Rob Hentschel (chair) Republican 5
Darryl Nelson Republican 6
T.J. Andrews Democratic 7
Scott Sieffert Republican 8
Penny Morris Republican 9

Law enforcement agencies

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County

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  • Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department

City

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  • Traverse City Police Department

Fire departments

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  • Blair Township Fire Department
  • Fife Lake Springfield Fire Department
  • Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department
  • Green Lake Township Emergency Services
  • Long Lake Fire-Rescue
  • Paradise Emergency Services
  • Peninsula Township Fire Department
  • City of Traverse City Fire Department
  • Whitewater Township Fire Department
 
St. Mary's Catholic Church in the Mayfield Township community of Hannah.
 
Robbins Bridge, which carries Cass Road over the Boardman River

Education

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Primary and secondary

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Grand Traverse County is served by the following public school districts:[31]

The county is also home to many smaller charter and private schools, most notably those that are a part of Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools.

Post-secondary

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Grand Traverse County is home to Northwestern Michigan College, a public community college in Traverse City.

 
Cherries for sale at a Traverse City farmers' market. Grand Traverse County and other counties surrounding Grand Traverse Bay are world-renowned for their cherry production.

Economy

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According to the Grand Traverse Economic Development Corporation, the largest employers in Grand Traverse County, as of 2017, are:[32]

# Employer Full-time
employees
1 Munson Healthcare 3,100
2 Traverse City Area Public Schools 1,800
3 Northwestern Michigan College 750
4 Grand Traverse Resort and Spa 550
5 Hagerty Insurance Agency 500
6 Grand Traverse County 500
7 Interlochen Center for the Arts 475
8 Grand Traverse Pavilions 415
9 Britten Banners 380
10 Tyson Foods 300

Transportation

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Air service

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Grand Traverse County is served commercially by Cherry Capital Airport, which is located near Traverse City. It serves the 21-county Northern Michigan area, and has year-round and seasonal destinations around the United States. In 2019, Cherry Capital Airport had the fourth-most enplanements of any airport in Michigan, behind Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Grand Rapids' Gerald R. Ford International Airport, and Flint's Bishop International Airport.

Other airparks in the county include:

Formerly, there was an airport on the south side of Traverse City called Ransom Field.[33] This was located on Rennie Hill. This airport closed sometime in the 1930s.

Major highways

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Previously, an additional highway, M-137, ran through Grand Traverse County, from US 31 in Green Lake Township south to Interlochen, passing by Interlochen Center for the Arts and Interlochen State Park. However, MDOT decommissioned the highway in 2020.[34]

Bicycle route

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  •   USBR 35 parallels the shore of Grand Traverse Bay along a number of roadways and local trails, including those that are part of the TART Trails system.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Bibliography on Grand Traverse County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ a b Norton, Mike (April 15, 2014). "Exploring the Past in Historic Traverse City".
  5. ^ a b c "Chapter VIII: County of Omeena Laid Off - Grand Traverse County Organized - Organization Completed - County Officers - Acts of Supervisors - County Buildings - Going to Mackinac to Vote - First Term of Court - Bench and Bar - Organization of Towns - Agriculture Society - Railroad - School Matters". The Traverse Region, Historical and Descriptive with Illustrations of Scenery and Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. Chicago: H. R. Page & Co. 1884. Retrieved October 21, 2022 – via Genealogy Trails Transcription Team.
  6. ^ a b George Dawson (1840). Acts of the Legislature of the State of Michigan Passed at the Annual Session of 1840. Detroit. pp. 196–200.
  7. ^ "45th Parallel - Old Mission Point". www.mnmuseumofthems.org. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  8. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office. p. 141.
  9. ^ Romig, Walter (1986). Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More Than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. p. 415. ISBN 0-8143-1837-1.
  10. ^ "History in Grand Traverse County, Michigan". genealogytrails.com. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  11. ^ "Kalkaska County MI - Genealogy & History". genealogytrails.com. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  12. ^ "Michigan Historical Markers". michmarkers.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  13. ^ "Michigan Historical Markers". www2.dnr.state.mi.us. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  14. ^ "Old restaurant may take on new owners". Traverse City Record-Eagle. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012.
  15. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  16. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  17. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  18. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  19. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  20. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  21. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  22. ^ "The Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan: A Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church". Diocese of Gaylord.
  23. ^ Menendez, Albert J. (2005). The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868–2004. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. pp. 222–227. ISBN 0786422173.
  24. ^ "Grand Traverse County General Election". County of Grand Traverse, MI. November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  25. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  26. ^ "2020 Presidential General Election Results". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  27. ^ slevin@mlive.com, Scott Levin | (November 7, 2024). "Almost every Michigan county got more Republican in 2024". mlive. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  28. ^ "State Data". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
  29. ^ "State Data". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
  30. ^ "State Data". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
  31. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Grand Traverse County, MI" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 13, 2024. - Text list
  32. ^ Director's Report. Grand Traverse Economic Development Corporation.
  33. ^ "Timeline". Traverse Area Historical Society. August 4, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  34. ^ "MDOT transfers M-137 jurisdiction to Grand Traverse County Road Commission". www.michigan.gov. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
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