Market file · Grand Traverse County, Michigan

East Bay Township home appraisals

East Bay Charter Township

East Bay Township had 11,589 people in 2020 and a median owner occupied value of $278,800 for 2020 to 2024 (Census QuickFacts). The north is suburban and fronts the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay. The south is rural, with forest and kettle lakes such as Arbutus and Spider.

$278,800Median owner occupied home value, 2020 to 2024 ACS (Census QuickFacts)

11,589Population, 2020 Census (Census QuickFacts)

89.6%Owner occupied housing rate, 2020 to 2024 ACS (Census QuickFacts)

$541,2872026 FHA one unit loan limit, Grand Traverse County (Homebuyer.com, 2026 limits)

A median that hides two markets

Census QuickFacts lists a median owner occupied value of $278,800 for 2020 to 2024, lower than Garfield, Long Lake or Peninsula townships and below the county median of $339,400. Owners hold 89.6% of homes, and median household income was $85,291. The median covers everything from bay area homes near US 31 to wooded lots in the south, so it says little about any one house.

Suburban streets on the bay up north, kettle lakes in the forest down south. One median covers both.

Bay beach up north, kettle lakes down south

Water type sorts the market. The northwest edge touches East Bay, where Traverse City State Park has its beach. Inland, Arbutus Lake covers 395 acres and is really five connected lakes, and Spider Lake and many small kettle lakes dot the south. The Boardman River crosses the southern part of the township. US 31 between Three Mile and Holiday Road, once called the Miracle Mile, is now planned as the Beach District, and East Bay Corners at Hammond and Three Mile is the village center. Mean commute time was 20.0 minutes.

Areas, lakes and neighborhoods in this file

Devils Elbow
Forest Lakes
Holiday Hills
Pine Grove
East Bay Corners
Beach District
Arbutus Lake
Spider Lake
Turtle Cove

Landmarks around East Bay Township

Traverse City State ParkState park on East Bay
Huntington RinkIndoor ice arena
Spider LakeInland lake
Arbutus LakeInland lake chain
Boardman River Nature CenterNature center

Common questions

How is an inland lake home in East Bay Township appraised?

Lakes like Arbutus, at 395 acres and made of five connected basins, and Spider Lake sell in their own small markets. An appraiser looks for sales on the same lake or a similar one, and compares frontage, water depth and access. Sales on Grand Traverse Bay are a different market and usually are not direct comps.

Can I use an FHA loan for a home in East Bay Township?

The 2026 FHA one unit limit in Grand Traverse County is $541,287 (Homebuyer.com). With a township median owner value of $278,800 (2020 to 2024 ACS), many homes are under that cap. The FHA appraisal also checks that the home meets HUD minimum property standards, so condition items can come up.