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Grand Traverse County

Traverse City, located in Grand Traverse County, is the economic and retail center of northwest Michigan. This well-rounded community includes manufacturing, industry, retail, medical facilities, a college and University Center. One of the largest attractions of Grand Traverse County is beautiful Grand Traverse Bay. The east and west arms of the Grand Traverse Bay area are separated by a 20-mile long peninsula. The peninsula is home to the largest concentration of red tart cherry orchards in the world. The population and labor force of Grand Traverse County continues to grow. In 1995, the county population increased 10.26% over 1990. In 1997, the Grand Traverse LMA, consisting of Benzie, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties, employed 19.1% of the labor force in the Goods Producing industry, 68% in the Service Producing industry, and 21.2% in Retail Trade.
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Local Area - Click to Enlarge		 Michigan


General Data

DISTANCEMILESKM
Chicago300482
Cleveland410659
Detroit250402
Indianapolis380611
Lansing180289

 YEARS
POPULATION  
 2002 81,066
 2003 82,026
 2004 82,859
 2005 83,971
Source:Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau, March 16, 2006


WORKFORCE  
 LABOR2006
 Total Workforce49,418 
 Number Employed46,571 
 Number Unemployed2,847 
 Unemployment Rate5.8 
Source:Michigan Employment Service Agency, 2006


CHARACTERISTICS OF LABOR FORCE  
 LABOR2000
 Workers 16 years and over39,292 
 Percentage who work outside of county11.3% 
 Percentage who work at home4.3% 
Source:U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, 2000


EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENTS  
 CLASSIFICATION2000
 Persons 25 years of age or older51,801 
 Percentage with high school diploma89.3% 
 Percentage with bachelor's degree26.10% 
Source:U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, 2000

TRANSPORTATION
ACCESS TO MARKETS
Main HighwaysUS-31, US-131, M-113, M-72, M-37, M-137, M-168
Bus LinesGreyhound
Truck Lines8
Rail LinesTuscola & Saginaw Bay
PortsTraverse City (Lake Michigan)
AirportsCherry Capital Airport
AirlinesAmerican Eagle, Northwest, United Express, Northwest Airlink, Midwest Express
Source: MI State Transportation Commission, 1995


Economy



PERSONAL INCOME (In Thousands of Dollars)  
Components by Type 2002 2003 2004 2005
Personal income 2,374,662 2,473,973 2,610,482 2,694,009
Population (persons) 81,067 81,971 82,852 83,954
Per capita personal income (dollars) 29,293 30,181 31,508 32,089
Farm proprietors' income -3,992 514 1,727 1,196
Nonfarm proprietors' income 309,091 319,155 384,086 413,597
Components by Industry 2002 2003 2004 2005
Farm earnings -683 3,089 4,774 3,811
Nonfarm earnings 2,114,278 2,221,043 2,360,707 2,426,635
Private earnings 1,850,907 1,936,956 2,061,833 2,117,198
Forestry, fishing, related activities, and other 2,851 2,364 5,932 5,478
Mining 41,982 52,223 67,900 76,511
Utilities 20,488 20,448 21,327 21,843
Construction 185,362 180,680 200,638 211,483
Manufacturing 266,873 287,798 283,263 285,057
   Durable goods manufacturing 197,543 215,991 0 0
Wholesale trade 58,582 60,543 63,741 64,120
Retail Trade 241,935 250,889 258,812 252,196
Transportation and warehousing 27,160 27,893 30,028 28,653
Information 63,247 69,224 76,270 81,991
Finance and insurance 119,263 137,954 142,580 143,433
Real estate and rental and leasing 73,482 61,298 78,651 85,556
Professional and technical services 140,701 148,632 159,850 159,998
Government and government enterprises 263,371 284,087 298,874 309,437
   Federal, civilian 31,207 33,448 36,722 36,595
   Military 12,096 14,438 15,408 16,339
   State and local 220,068 236,201 246,744 256,503
Source:Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce, Issued May 2007


EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY (Number of Jobs)  
Components by Type 2002 2003 2004 2005
Total employment 62,918 64,342 64,961 65,301
Wage and salary employment 49,876 50,472 50,534 50,117
Proprietors employment 13,042 13,870 14,427 15,184
Farm employment 594 589 590 581
Nonfarm employment 62,324 63,753 64,371 64,720
Components by Industry 2002 2003 2004 2005
Private employment 56,051 56,962 57,791 58,026
   Forestry, fishing, related activities, and other 194 172 300 284
   Mining 896 1,021 897 932
   Utilities 239 246 253 261
   Construction 5,092 4,994 5,084 5,261
   Manufacturing 5,884 5,815 5,634 5,482
   Wholesale trade 1,462 1,406 1,495 1,508
   Retail Trade 10,096 10,193 10,278 9,738
   Transportation and warehousing 903 898 951 879
   Finance and insurance 2,766 2,998 3,026 3,031
   Real estate and rental and leasing 2,535 2,598 2,838 3,048
   Professional and technical services 3,629 3,760 3,886 3,892
Government and government enterprises 6,273 6,791 6,580 6,694
   Federal, civilian 455 492 481 473
   Military 294 299 296 286
   State and local 5,524 6,000 5,803 5,935
Source:Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce, Issued May 2007

PRINCIPAL EMPLOYERS
NAICS COMPANY NAME LOCATION EMPLOYEES PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
622110Munson Medical CenterTraverse City2723General Hospital
611110Traverse City Area PublicTraverse City1104Elementary/Secondary School
713940Ksl Recreation Management OpsAcme900Physical Fitness Faclty Membership Sports Club Public Golf Course Hotel/Motel Operation Drinking Place
311813Sara Lee CorpTraverse City600Manufactures frozen bakery products
611210Northwestern Michigan CollegeTraverse City575Junior College
452112Meijer IncTraverse City475Department Store Ret Groceries Ret Drugs/Sundries Gasoline Service Station
623110Grand Traverse Pavilions FndtnTraverse City415Skilled Nursing Care Facility
721120Grand Traverse Band EconomicWilliamsburg400Hotel/Motel Operation Drinking Place Eating Place
611610Interlochen Center For TheInterlochen330School/Educational Services Elementary/Secondary School
611110Traverse Bay Area IntermediateTraverse City300Special General & Vocational Education Services
332710Hillsdale Automotive LLCTraverse City300Machine shop, jobbing & repair services; manufactures motor vehicle parts & accessories; steel mill
522390Northwestern Mortgage CoTraverse City300Mortgage Banker/Correspondent
921110County of Grand TraverseTraverse City260Executive Office
922140Department of Corrections MIKingsley240Correctional Institution
611110Grand Traverse Catholic SchoolTraverse City240Elementary/Secondary School
452112Wal-Mart Stores IncTraverse City220Department Store Ret Drugs/Sundries
452910Wal-Mart Stores IncTraverse City206Discount Warehouse Club
444110Home Depot USA IncTraverse City200Lumberother Bdg Mats
721110Great Wolf Lodge Of TraverseTraverse City200Hotel/Motel Operation Drinking Place Eating Place
561621ADT Security Services IncTraverse City186Security Systems Service
333612Cone Drive Operations IncTraverse City175Manufactures speed changers; manufactures motor vehicle parts & accessories; manufactures iron or steel forgings
452112Kmart CorpTraverse City175Dept Stores Discount
623311Tendercare IncTraverse City175Nursing/Personal Care Skilled Nursing Care Facility
333514Century IncTraverse City170Manufactures tools, dies, jigs & fixtures; manufactures metal powder; metal heat treating services; manufactures metal forming machine tools; manufactures plastic working machinery
236115Michigan Department of MgtTraverse City150Single-Family House Construction
441110Bill Marsh Motors IncTraverse City150Ret New/Used Automobiles
336360Lear CorpTraverse City150Manufactures automobile seats; manufactures current carrying wiring devices
336399Skilled Manufacturing IncTraverse City150Manufactures motor vehicle parts & accessories
452111Macy's Retail Holdings IncTraverse City150Department Store
444110Lowe's Home Centers IncTraverse City150Ret Lumber/Building Mtrl Whol Lumber/Plywd/Millwk Ret Household Appliances Whol Appliances/Tv/Radio
238990Rieth-Riley Construction CoGrawn150Asphalt contractor; manufactures asphalt paving mixtures & blocks
445110Tom's Food Markets IncTraverse City150Ret Grocery Store
624190American Red CrossTraverse City150Non Profit Social Aid Service
524114Michigan Department Of LaborTraverse City140Disability Office
238990Elmer's Crane & Dozer IncTraverse City140Driveway, parking lot & blacktop contractor; highway & street paving contractor; manufactures asphalt paving mixtures & blocks; manufactures ready-mixed concrete; excavating contractor; construction sand & gravel mining
623110Tendercare IncTraverse City140Skilled Nursing Care Facility
452112Target CorpTraverse City131Dept Stores Discount
492110United Parcel Service IncTraverse City125Parcel Delivery Service
311411Cherry Growers IncGrawn125Manufactures quick frozen & cold pack fruits; manufactures canned fruits
452111Kohl's Department Stores IncTraverse City121Dept Stores Non-Disc
721110Regency Traverse City HotelTraverse City120Hotel/Motel Operation Eating Place
623990Northwest Michigan ChildTraverse City115Residential Care Services Individual/Family Services Specialty Outpatient Clinic
445110Tom's Food Markets IncTraverse City115Ret Groceries Ret Florist Retail Bakery
453310Goodwill Industries of NthnTraverse City112Ret Used Merchandise Individual/Family Services
445110Spartan Stores IncTraverse City110Ret Groceries Whol Meats/Products
485210Bay Area Transportation AuthTraverse City110Intercity/Rural Bus Line
221119Consumers Energy CoTraverse City105Electric Services
452112Bon-Ton Stores IncTraverse City100Department Store
491110United States Postal ServiceTraverse City100Mail Processing Center
926120United States Coast GuardTraverse City100Coast Guard Air Station
237310Department of Public ServiceTraverse City100Highway/Street Construction
443111Best Buy Co IncTraverse City100Ret Household Appliances
923120Great Lakes Community MentalTraverse City100Administrative Public Health Programs
561710Eratical Services IncTraverse City100Disinfecting/Pest Services
722110Gmri IncTraverse City100Seafood Restaurants
236220Comstock Construction CoTraverse City100Nonresidential Construction Management Consulting Services Industrial Building Construction
111320Cherry Blossom LLCWilliamsburg100Citrus Fruit Grove
Source: Harris Publishing Company, 2008 InfoSource

OTHER MAJOR EMPLOYERS
SIC FIRM LOCATION EMPLOYEES PRODUCT
8062 Munson Medical Center Traverse City 4,000 Health care
8211 Traverse City Public Schools Traverse City 2,069 School/education
7011 Grand Traverse Resort Traverse City *900/650 Hotel/tourism
5311 Meijer Inc. Traverse City 650 Department stores
8222 Northwestern Michigan College Traverse City 630 Education
2038 Sara Lee Traverse City 620 Bake Goods
7011 Grand Personality Inc. Acme 500 Hotels and motels
8062 Traverse Community Hospital Traverse City 407 Health care
3469 Tower Automotive Traverse City 400 Metal Stamping
8211 Traverse Bay Intermediate School District Traverse City 350 Education
8299 Interlochen Center For The Arts Interlochen *1,100/325 Arts education
9111 County of Grand Traverse Traverse City 260 Executive offices
8051 Grand Traverse Medical Care Facility Traverse City 225 Health care
5812 Aramark Services Inc. Traverse City 200 Eating places
4151 Traverse City Area Schools Trans. Traverse City 200 Bus service facility
4800 Ameritech Traverse City 190 Telephone
*Seasonal Employment
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact


NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS  
Type of Service 2004
Total 3,648
    Forestry, fishing, hunting, and agriculture support 3
    Mining 45
    Utilities 5
    Construction 497
    Manufacturing 186
      Food mfg 13
      Beverage & tobacco product mfg 5
      Textile product mills 5
      Apparel manufacturing 4
      Wood product mfg 11
      Printing & related support activities 17
      Chemical mfg 2
      Plastics & rubber products mfg 8
      Nonmetallic mineral product mfg 4
      Fabricated metal product mfg 29
      Machinery mfg 25
      Computer & electronic product mfg 10
      Electrical equip, appliance & component mfg 7
      Transportation equipment mfg 8
      Furniture & related product mfg 13
      Miscellaneous mfg 25
    Wholesale trade 151
    Retail trade 657
    Transportation & warehousing 47
    Information 75
      Publishing industries 18
      Motion picture & sound recording industries 9
    Finance & insurance 213
    Real estate & rental & leasing 157
    Professional, scientific & technical services 374
    Management of companies & enterprises 23
    Admin, support, waste mgt, remediation services 187
    Educational services 21
    Health care and social assistance 393
    Arts, entertainment & recreation 64
    Accommodation & food services 230
    Other services (except public administration) 301
    Unclassified establishments 19
Source:Source:U.S. Department of Commerce and Bureau of the Census, County Business Patterns, Issued July 2006


Quality of Life

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT INFORMATION
COMMUNITYSCHOOL DISTRICTSTUDENTSINSTRUCTORSHIGH SCHOOLS
KingsleyKingsley Area Schools1,128561
Traverse CityTraverse City Area Public Schools11,0107622
Source: MI Department of Education, 1997

TWO YEAR COLLEGES AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS
NAMELOCATIONENROLLMENT
Northwestern Michigan CollegeTraverse City4,140

FOUR YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
NAMELOCATIONENROLLMENT
none in county
Source: MI Department of Education, 1996

MEDICAL FACILITIES
TYPE OF FACILITY# IN COUNTY# OF BEDS
Hospitals1354
Source: MI Department of Consumer and Industry Services, 1998

HOUSING (2000)  
OWNER OCCUPIED MEDIAN VALUE RENTER OCCUPIED MEDIAN RENT
17,669  $130,400  6,654  $614 
Source:U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, 2000

CLIMATE
MONTHAVG. MIN TEMPAVG. MAX TEMP.
January13F./-11C.26F./-3C.
July57F./14C.81F./27C.
PRECIPITATIONRAINFALLSNOWFALL
Average Annual30in./76cm.87in./221cm.
GROWING SEASONDAYS ABOVE 90F/32CDAYS BELOW 0F/-18C
132914
Source: NOAA Climate Summary, 1995

RECREATION
COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS
Boat harbor; two state parks; Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore Park; 13 golf courses; zoo; Interlochen Center for the Arts; Town Playhouse; Dennos Museum; National Cherry Festival (8 days - July); numerous Art Fairs; jogging/bike trail; charter wineries; gourmet restaurant; casino gambling; alpine skiing; cross-country skiing; snowmobile trails; ice fishing, fall cherry orchards; brew pubs.
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact


Municipal Services

UTILITIES
COMMUNITYELECTRICGAS
Green Lake, Blair, East Bay, Garfield, Acme, Grant, LongCherryland ElectricMichCon
Whitewater, Union  
Union, Acme, Blair, East Bay, Grant, Fife Lake, Mayfield,Consumers PowerMichCon
Green Lake, paradise, Long Lake, Traverse City, Williamsburg  
Union, Fife LakeTop O' MichiganMichCon
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Local Phone CompaniesAmeritech
Long Distance CompaniesAT&T, MCI, Sprint, and others
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

LICENSED LANDFILLS
COMMUNITYOWNER/MANAGER
GarfieldUnited Waste
Source: MDEQ Waste Management Division, 1998

PROPERTY TAX (2004)  
Agriculture Commercial Industrial Residential Other
1.20%  31.00%  4.90%  60.70%  2.20% 
Source:MI Department of Treasury State Tax Commission, 2006

GOVERNMENT
COMMUNITYPHONE NUMBERCOMMUNITYPHONE NUMBER
Acme Twp(231) 938-1350Blair Twp(231) 276-9263
East Bay Twp(231) 947-8647Fife Lake Twp(231) 879-3963
Garfield Charter Twp(231) 941-1620Grant Twp(231) 263-7168
Green Lake Twp(231) 276-9329Kingsley (City of)(231) 263-7778
Long Lake Twp(231) 946-2249Mayfield Twp(231) 263-5901
Paradise Twp(231) 263-5251Peninsula Twp(231) 223-7322
Traverse City(231) 922-4440Union Twp(231) 369-3261
Whitewater Twp(231) 267-5141  
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTACT

Mr. Tino Breithaupt, Senior Vice President of Economic Development
Traverse Bay EDC
Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce
202 E. Grandview Parkway
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: 231.995.7105
Fax: 231.946.2565

Email: tbedc@tcchamber.org
Web: www.tcchamber.org/tbedc
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact, 2008

Copyright © 2009 Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
300 N. Washington Sq., Lansing, MI 48913