Grand Traverse County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.6 | 96,421 people · 69th most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Grand Traverse County, MI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.6 — 2500th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Michigan, it ranks 69th of 83 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Grand Traverse County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 72.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 72.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 85
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 76
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 67
Homeownership Rate 38
Economic Vitality 49.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 68
Rent-to-Income Ratio 35
Business Formation Rate 25
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Legal Distress 42.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 42
Structural Poverty 18.0
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 8
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 21
Transfer Income Dependency 21
Consumer Credit Distress 17.8
Debt in Collections 15
Medical Debt 25
Auto Loan Delinquency 26
Credit Card Delinquency 18
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 11

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Grand Traverse County
Grand Traverse County, MI 34.6 Healthy —
Kalkaska County, MI 54.0 Elevated +19.4
Wexford County, MI 52.2 Elevated +17.6
Manistee County, MI 46.9 Normal +12.3
Missaukee County, MI 46.3 Normal +11.7
Benzie County, MI 32.3 Healthy -2.3
Antrim County, MI 30.5 Healthy -4.1
Leelanau County, MI 18.7 Healthy -15.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Grand Traverse County
Roanoke County, VA 34.6 Healthy -0.0
Rice County, MN 34.7 Healthy +0.1
Lewis and Clark County, MT 34.4 Healthy -0.2
Albemarle County, VA 34.4 Healthy -0.2
Eagle County, CO 34.4 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Grand Traverse County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Grand Traverse County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Grand Traverse County.

NORTHWEST MICHIGAN COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, INC
Traverse City
231-947-3780 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing

See all counselors in Michigan →

Find an Attorney

State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-968-0738

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Grand Traverse County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid & Defender Association of Detroit 313-967-5555
Michigan Legal Help / Wolverine Legal Aid
Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan 248-548-3838
Michigan Advocacy Program 616-774-0672
Legal Services of South Central Michigan 734-665-6181
Lakeshore Legal Aid (888) 783-8190
Legal Aid of Western Michigan (616) 774-0672
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan (800) 322-4512
Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Inc. (906) 786-2303

Self-Help Resources

Michigan Legal Help — Foreclosure Self-help guides and interactive tools for Michigan foreclosure process and defenses
MSHDA Homeowner Resources Assistance programs, counselor referrals, and MIHAF information

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Michigan →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Grand Traverse County, Michigan?

    Grand Traverse County has a County Distress Index score of 34.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,500th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 69th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Grand Traverse County?

    The primary driver of distress in Grand Traverse County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 72.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Grand Traverse County compare to neighboring counties?

    Grand Traverse County (34.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Kalkaska County, MI (54.0); Wexford County, MI (52.2); Manistee County, MI (46.9).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Healthy zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Grand Traverse County's score of 34.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Grand Traverse County's CDI score?

    Grand Traverse County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Grand Traverse County?

    Grand Traverse County, Michigan has a population of approximately 96,421 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.