Grand Traverse County, Michigan
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| Grand Traverse County, Michigan | |
|---|---|
| County | Grand Traverse County |
| State | Michigan |
| Founded | 1851 |
| Seat | Traverse City |
| Largest city | Traverse City |
| Area total sq mi | 601 |
| Area land sq mi | 464 |
| Area water sq mi | 137 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 95,238 |
| Population density sq mi | 205 |
Grand Traverse County, Michigan is a county located in the United States state of Michigan, with its county seat in Traverse City, which is also the largest city in the county, situated on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan. The county is part of the Traverse City Micropolitan Statistical Area and is home to several notable institutions, including Northwestern Michigan College and the Traverse City Area Public Schools. Grand Traverse County is also known for its natural beauty, with popular attractions like Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Boardman River.
Geography
Grand Traverse County is located in the northwestern part of Michigan, bordering Leelanau County to the northwest, Benzie County to the west, and Kalkaska County to the east. The county's geography is characterized by its proximity to Lake Michigan and the presence of several rivers, including the Boardman River and the Manistee River. The county's terrain is also marked by several hills and valleys, with the highest point being Pere Marquette Hill. Nearby cities include Charlevoix, Michigan, Petoskey, Michigan, and Gaylord, Michigan, which are connected to Grand Traverse County through various roads and highways, including US-31 and M-22.
History
The area that is now Grand Traverse County was originally inhabited by the Odawa people and the Ottawa people, who were later joined by French colonists and British colonists. The county was officially established in 1851 and was named after the Grand Traverse Bay, which was itself named by French explorers Étienne Brûlé and Jacques Marquette. The county's early history was marked by the establishment of several missionaries, including those from the Society of Jesus and the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. The county was also home to several notable figures, including Henry Schoolcraft, who was a United States Indian agent and ethnologist, and Helen J. Farabee, who was a Michigan State University professor and Michigan Women's Hall of Fame inductee.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Grand Traverse County was 95,238, with a population density of 205 people per square mile. The county's population is predominantly White American, with smaller percentages of African American, Asian American, and Native American residents. The median household income in the county is around $63,000, with a per capita income of around $31,000. The county is also home to several notable institutions, including Munson Medical Center and the Traverse City Film Festival, which was founded by Michael Moore and has featured films by Spike Lee and Susan Sarandon.
Transportation
Grand Traverse County is served by several major highways, including US-31 and M-22, which connect the county to nearby cities like Charlevoix, Michigan and Petoskey, Michigan. The county is also home to the Cherry Capital Airport, which offers flights to several major airports, including Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. The county's public transportation system is operated by the Bay Area Transportation Authority, which provides bus service to several cities in the region, including Traverse City, Michigan and Acme, Michigan. Nearby transportation hubs include the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge and the Mackinac Bridge.
Communities
Grand Traverse County is home to several communities, including the city of Traverse City, Michigan, which is the county seat and largest city. Other communities in the county include the village of Fife Lake, Michigan and the townships of Acme Township, Michigan and East Bay Township, Michigan. The county is also home to several unincorporated communities, including Grawn, Michigan and Kingsley, Michigan. Nearby cities include Cadillac, Michigan, Manistee, Michigan, and Ludington, Michigan, which are connected to Grand Traverse County through various roads and highways.
Government
The government of Grand Traverse County is headed by a board of commissioners, which is composed of seven members elected by the county's residents. The county is also home to several other government agencies, including the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office and the Traverse City Police Department. The county is part of Michigan's 1st congressional district and is represented in the United States House of Representatives by Jack Bergman. The county is also part of the Michigan Senate and the Michigan House of Representatives, with representatives including Wayne Schmidt and Tristan Cole. Nearby government institutions include the Michigan State Capitol and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.