Old Mission Peninsula
Neighborhood in Grand Traverse County
Grand Traverse County 49686
Ten wineries part of the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail
The Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail is not an actual walking trail but a series of 10 wineries up and down the peninsula, most of which are along Center Road. “Tour buses are very common,” McGillivary says. “The wineries in the summer are very busy on the weekends and even during the week.” Chateau Grand Traverse is the oldest winery in the region, established in 1974. Visitors enjoy relaxing on the patio with a glass of its famous cherry wine while looking out at the vineyard and bay. Other options include Peninsula Cellars, set up in a historic 1800s schoolhouse, and Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery, which features a wine-tasting room and lavender gardens.Many variables go into buying a home by Grand Traverse Bay
From condos to single-family homes, there’s a lot to contemplate. “There are a thousand things that play into home values here,” McGillivary says. “Do you have a shared or private waterfront? Some have docks and some don’t. You may or may not have a water view. You could be right on the water or you may have to cross a busy road to get to the beach. The East Bay has the sunrise and the West Bay tends to be pricier because it faces the sunset. You have to consider all of these variables.” Small inland condos sell for around $270,000 to $330,000. Upscale condos range from around $500,000 to $940,000. Midcentury ranch-style houses, split-levels and Cape Cods off the water cost around $310,000 to $650,000. Similar houses with water views and beach access cost around $700,000 to $925,000, while larger upscale houses with those same luxuries range from about $1 million to $1.3 million. Waterfront properties typically have private beaches and a boat dock. Smaller homes along the water have sold for $675,000 to $760,000. Luxurious bayside estates range from around $1 million to $3 million.According to recent flood map data, waterfront homes along the West Bay have a greater chance of being impacted by floods than those on the east. On average, homes stay on the market for nearly two months. The community’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1, the lowest possible score.
Adventures at a historic lighthouse, the beach and old farmland trails
Locals and tourists are drawn to Old Mission State Park on the far north side. It features miles of nature trails, a narrow beach and the historic Mission Point Lighthouse at the northern tip. The lighthouse was built in 1870, and visitors can tour it or even pay to become a lighthouse keeper for a week. “People sign up all year long because staying on the water is an expensive endeavor, and this is much cheaper,” McGillivary says. “I’ve never heard of them being short of volunteers.” Haserot Beach is also on the north side with a spacious sandy area, a designated swimming spot and a playground. On the peninsula's south side, Pelizzari Natural Area has about 3 miles of trails through woods and meadows that were once farmland.Bay view dining at Jolly Pumpkin and Boathouse Restaurant
There are a few restaurants in town, including Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant & Bar, well known for its sour beer, artisan pub food and string-lit patio with views of the bay. Boathouse Restaurant sits along the West Bay, offering a fine dining experience by the Bowers Harbor Yacht Club’s marina. Old Mission General Store, located on the peninsula's north side, has served the community since the early 1800s. As one of the state’s oldest stores, it maintains its historic rustic look while selling produce, antiques and various knickknacks. In the center of town, Peninsula Market sells groceries and local wine. Big box retailers are about 15 to 30 minutes away.Expanding STEM education at Central High School
Students may attend Eastern Elementary School and East Middle School, both of which receive a B-plus grade from Niche. Students in grades 8 through 12 go to A-minus-graded Central High School. It opened its Innovation and Manufacturing Center in 2025 to expand its STEM program.Getting around the peninsula and to other areas of Traverse City
Travelers can take Peninsula Drive along the West Bay, Bluff Road along the East Bay or Center Road through the middle of the peninsula. Those who live on the south side can drive about 5 minutes to downtown Traverse City, while it takes about 30 minutes for those farther north. It’s also about a 10 to 35-minute drive to Cherry Capital Airport.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Lydia Wiley
Lydia Wiley
@properties Christie's Int'l
(888) 364-8716
31 Total Sales
2 in Old Mission Peninsula
$895K - $942K Price Range
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Danielle Jerome
Danielle Jerome
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker Schmidt Traver
(947) 886-8274
156 Total Sales
30 in Old Mission Peninsula
$217K - $2.5M Price Range
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Brian McGillivary
Brian McGillivary
Responds QuicklyBerkshire Hathaway Homeservices - TC
(231) 714-6145
27 Total Sales
1 in Old Mission Peninsula
$710,000 Price
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Kristin Clark
Kristin Clark
Gaslight Group Properties
(517) 246-0934
26 Total Sales
1 in Old Mission Peninsula
$2,300,000 Price
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T. J. Shimek
T. J. Shimek
Responds QuicklyThe Mitten Real Estate Group
(231) 714-6614
431 Total Sales
1 in Old Mission Peninsula
$355,000 Price
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Sander Scott
Sander Scott
Responds QuicklyNet Real Estate
(231) 714-6871
83 Total Sales
2 in Old Mission Peninsula
$624K - $625K Price Range
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 8th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Archie Park
Pelizzari Natural Area
Old Mission Point Park
Bower's Harbor Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Old Mission Peninsula | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 1 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 4 |
| Burglary | 1 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
| Larceny | 1 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 1 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Old Mission Peninsula Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old Mission Peninsula, Traverse City sell after 58 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Mission Peninsula, Traverse City over the last 12 months is $780,000, down 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$819,900
Median Sale Price
$780,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$805,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$495,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$595,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
214
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-10%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$569
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,959
Number of Homes for Sale
29
Median Year Built
1980
Months of Supply
1.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,126
Above the national average
1,930
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,655
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,084
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
790
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
31,363
Open Houses
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Saturday, Jul 51 - 2:30pm
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Sunday, Jul 61 - 3pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
6,926
Median Age
56
Population under 18
18%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
36.8%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$103,741
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$122,577
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.2%
College Graduates
63.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
30%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
60%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
29''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
87''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
8
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
9
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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Old Town
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Slabtown
A longstanding community within reach of downtown Traverse City
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