Grand Traverse County, Michigan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  (Redirected from )
Not to be confused with Traverse County, Minnesota.

Grand Traverse County
U.S. county
Grand Traverse County Courthouse in Traverse City
Grand Traverse County Courthouse in Traverse City
Flag of Grand Traverse County
Flag
Official logo of Grand Traverse County
Logo
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
Founded1851[1]
Named forGrand Traverse Bay
SeatTraverse City
Largest cityTraverse City
Area
 • Total601 sq mi (1,560 km2)
 • Land464 sq mi (1,200 km2)
 • Water137 sq mi (350 km2)  23%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2020)
95,238
 • Density198/sq mi (76/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.co.grand-traverse.mi.us

Grand Traverse County is located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 95,238.[2] The county seat is Traverse City.[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, during the 2020 census the population of Grand Traverse County was 95,238.

Grand Traverse County is part of the Traverse City, MI, Micropolitan Statistical Area, which also includes Benzie, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties.

Interlochen, home of the Interlochen Center for the Arts, is located in Green Lake Township.

Grand Traverse County was originally known as Omeena County.

History[]

See also: History of Northern Michigan

Early history[]

In 1840, the county was separated from Mackinac County and originally named Omeena County, later to be renamed Grand Traverse County, after Grand Traverse.

Grand Traverse County was organized by an act of the state legislature on April 7, 1851.[1] Grand Traverse is derived from a French phrase meaning "long crossing" and the county is so named because it is situated at the Grand Traverse Bay.[1][4] The first permanent settlement in the county was the mission now known as Old Mission. The county was initially divided into two townships: Peninsula Township, which was coterminous with the Old Mission Peninsula, and Traverse Township, which took up the rest of the county.

Over time, Traverse Township was divided into Garfield and Whitewater townships. Later on, Garfield Township was further divided into Silver Lake and Mayfield townships, and Whitewater Township was divided into Acme, East Bay, and Paradise townships. Over time, lines were redrawn, and the townships evolved into today's configuration.

Historical markers[]

There are 12 recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:[5] They are:

Geography[]

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.[7] 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. Power Island, the largest island in Grand Traverse Bay, is part of Peninsula Township.

Adjacent counties[]

  • Antrim County (northeast)
  • Kalkaska County (east)
  • Wexford County (south)
  • Benzie County (west)
  • Leelanau County (northwest)
  • Manistee County (southwest)

Lakes[]

Bass Lake

(not including Lake Michigan)

  • Arbutus Lake
  • Bartlett Lake
  • Bass Lake
  • Bellew Lake
  • Bellows Lake
  • Boardman Lake
  • Brewster Lake
  • Bridge Lake
  • Bullhead Lake
  • Bumphrey Lake
  • Cedar Hedge Lake
  • Cedar Lake
  • Chandler Lake
  • Christmas Tree Lake
  • Coffield Lake
  • Coon Lake
  • Denzer Lake
  • Dollar Lake
  • Elk Lake
  • Ellis Lake
  • Fenton Lake
  • Fern Lake
  • Fish Lake
  • Green Lake (Wahbekanetta)
  • Hay Lake
  • Heniser Lakes
  • High Lake
  • Hunter Lake
  • Huellmantel Lake
  • Larch Lake
  • Long Lake
  • Lost Lake
  • Mirror Lake
  • Mud Lake
  • Noren Lake
  • Page Lake
  • Pickerel Lake
  • Prescott Lake
  • Pyatt Lake
  • Rahe Lake
  • Rennie Lake
  • Saunders Lake
  • Lake Scandinavia
  • Silver Lake
  • Skiver Lake
  • Smith Lake
  • Spider Lake
  • Lake Skegemog
  • Strombolis Lake
  • Stricker Lake
  • Lake Swainston
  • Tonawanda Lake
  • Truax Lake
  • Twin Lake
  • Vandervoight Lake
  • Whelock Lake
  • Wistrand Lake

Creeks[]

  • 22 Creek
  • Acme Creek
  • Angell Creek
  • Bancroft Creek
  • Beitner Creek
  • California Creek
  • Campbell Creek
  • Carpenter Creek
  • Cedar Run
  • Dipley Creek
  • Desmond Creek
  • Dyer Creek
  • East Creek
  • Fife Lake Outlet
  • Harris Creek
  • Headquarters Creek
  • Jaxon Creek
  • Kids Creek
  • Kesner Creek
  • Kingsley Creek
  • Mitchell Creek
  • Neal Creek
  • No Name Creek
  • Orchard Creek
  • Parker Creek
  • Prescott Creek
  • Pyatt Creek
  • Rennie Creek
  • Rudhardt Creek
  • Sands Creek
  • Sucker Creek
  • Swainston Creek
  • Spider Creek
  • Taylor Creek
  • Tobeco Creek
  • Treasure Creek
  • Vanderlip Creek
  • Williamsburg Creek
  • Woodland Creek
  • Yuba Creek

Rivers[]

Transportation[]

Air travel[]

Grand Traverse County is served by Cherry Capital Airport, which is located near Traverse City. It serves the 21-county Northern Michigan area, and has destinations around the country. Other airparks in the county include:

Other than Cherry Capital Airport, all other airports in the county are unpaved

Formerly, there was an airport on the south side of Traverse City called Ransom Field.[8] This was located on Rennie Hill. This airport closed sometime in the 1930s.

Map of Grand Traverse County's highways

Major highways[]

The county contains about 103 miles (166 km), about 1.07% of the Michigan State Trunkline Highway System. These highways include the ones listed below.

  • US 31 runs through the county southwest to northeast. It provides access to cities to the north (like Charlevoix and Petoskey) and southwest (like Ludington and Muskegon). The highway runs all the way to Spanish Fort, Alabama, to the south and runs through major cities like Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, and Birmingham.
  • US 131 runs through the far southeastern part of the county, entirely within Fife Lake Township. The highway provides access to Kalkaska and Petoskey to the north, and cities like Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo to the south. The southern end is at the Indiana Toll Road just across the state line.
  • M-22 is the shortest highway segment within the county. It begins at an intersection in Traverse City, and runs northwest along the Grand Traverse Bay towards the county line. It then continues in Leelanau County up towards Northport and then runs southwesterly towards Glen Arbor, Frankfort, and Manistee.
  • M-37 is the longest highway in the county. It runs from a cul-de-sac at Old Mission Point southerly to Traverse City and through Buckley. The highway then continues down through the state to Baldwin, Grand Rapids, Hastings, and Battle Creek.
  • M-72 runs east-to-west in the county from northern Long Lake Township to near Williamsburg. The highway provides access to Empire and central Leelanau County to the west, and Kalkaska, Grayling, and Harrisville to the east.
  • M-113 runs through the southern portion of the county, connecting M-37 to US 131 while passing through Kingsley and Walton.
  • M-137 was a state highway that connected US 31 near Interlochen with Interlochen Center for the Arts and Interlochen State Park. However, this highway was decommissioned in 2020.
  • M-186 is a short highway providing a direct route from M-113 to US 131 and Fife Lake.

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
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%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2018[2]

As of the census[13] 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). 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.

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[]

Grand Traverse County is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord.[14]

Government and politics[]

Presidential election results
Presidential Elections Results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 50.5% 30,502 47.5% 28,683 1.9% 1,168
2016 52.7% 27,413 40.3% 20,965 6.9% 3,607
2012 55.1% 26,534 43.3% 20,875 1.6% 788
2008 50.6% 24,716 47.6% 23,258 1.8% 869
2004 59.4% 27,446 39.5% 18,256 1.1% 489
2000 58.5% 22,358 37.6% 14,371 3.9% 1,500
1996 49.1% 16,355 39.0% 12,987 12.0% 3,987
1992 39.6% 13,629 32.4% 11,148 28.1% 9,684
1988 62.5% 17,191 36.7% 10,098 0.9% 236
1984 70.8% 18,036 28.6% 7,271 0.6% 157
1980 58.6% 14,484 28.9% 7,150 12.4% 3,072
1976 63.9% 13,505 34.3% 7,263 1.8% 382
1972 64.8% 11,421 33.0% 5,810 2.2% 390
1968 61.5% 8,960 32.6% 4,741 6.0% 866
1964 45.3% 6,198 54.6% 7,475 0.2% 20
1960 63.7% 8,618 36.1% 4,886 0.3% 36
1956 73.5% 9,102 26.3% 3,256 0.2% 30
1952 77.1% 9,034 22.5% 2,639 0.3% 38
1948 68.3% 5,473 29.5% 2,365 2.2% 177
1944 67.0% 5,413 32.3% 2,607 0.7% 55
1940 64.3% 5,620 35.4% 3,095 0.3% 30
1936 46.1% 3,676 48.0% 3,827 6.0% 477
1932 45.7% 3,442 51.9% 3,907 2.4% 182
1928 74.6% 4,429 25.1% 1,489 0.4% 22
1924 74.9% 4,011 10.4% 558 14.7% 789
1920 74.0% 4,056 21.1% 1,158 4.8% 264
1916 45.8% 1,917 44.2% 1,848 10.0% 420
1912 23.3% 899 24.2% 937 52.5% 2,031
1908 65.9% 2,811 30.2% 1,289 3.9% 167
1904 81.4% 3,383 14.3% 594 4.3% 179
1900 68.4% 3,127 28.1% 1,286 3.5% 160
1896 57.2% 2,533 39.4% 1,745 3.4% 150
1892 54.7% 1,734 29.2% 924 16.2% 512
1888 63.1% 1,859 31.4% 925 5.5% 162
1884 64.6% 1,645 31.7% 808 3.7% 94

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.

Historically, Grand Traverse County has been a Republican-leaning county; it voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election since the Civil War,[16] except for four: 1912, 1932, 1936, and 1964. In the last decade, the county has been moving towards the Democratic Party. Traverse City leans Democratic while the rest of the county leans Republican.

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).[17]

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.[18] 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%).[19]

In 2000, Bush received 22,358 votes in the county (58.48%) to Democrat Al Gore's 14,371 (37.59%).[20]

Elected officials[]

County commission[]

  • District 1: Betsy Coffia
  • District 2: Bryce Hundley
  • District 3: Brad Jewett
  • District 4: Penny Morris
  • District 5: Ron Clous (vice chair)
  • District 6: Darryl Nelson
  • District 7: Rob Hentschel (chair)

Law enforcement agencies[]

County[]

  • Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department

City[]

  • Traverse City Police Department

Fire departments[]

  • 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

Education[]

Grand Traverse County has many schools. TCAPS is by far the largest school district in the area, with its headquarters in Traverse City. All of its schools are located within the county, although some of the district itself extends into nearby Benzie and Leelanau counties. Other districts in the county are Forest Area, GTA, Benzie Central, and Elk Rapids school districts. There are independent Catholic schools in the county as well.

Economy[]

According to the Grand Traverse Economic Development Corporation, the largest employers in Grand Traverse County, as of 2017, are:[21]

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

Communities[]

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

City[]

  • Traverse City (county seat, partially in Leelanau County)

Villages[]

Charter townships[]

Civil townships[]

Census-designated places[]

Other unincorporated communities[]

Indian reservation[]

Ghost towns[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "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. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office. p. 141.
  5. ^ "Michigan Historical Markers". michmarkers.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2008.
  6. ^ "Old restaurant may take on new owners". Traverse City Record-Eagle. record-eagle.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012.
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  8. ^ "Timeline". Traverse Area Historical Society. August 4, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ "The Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan: A Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church - Diocese of Gaylord". dioceseofgaylord.org.
  15. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  18. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - State Data". uselectionatlas.org.
  19. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - State Data". uselectionatlas.org.
  20. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - State Data". uselectionatlas.org.
  21. ^ Grand Traverse Economic Development Corporation: Director's Report.

External links[]

Coordinates: 44°44′N 85°33′W / 44.73°N 85.55°W / 44.73; -85.55

Retrieved from ""