Yours to discover.
Truly a four season community, Boyne never ceases to excite!
Boyne City is centrally located on the eastern end of Lake Charlevoix and was named after the Boyne River in Ireland. This growing little community is less than 30 minutes away from I-75, only 20 minutes from Petoskey and Charlevoix and an hour’s drive north of Traverse City. First settled in 1856, Boyne City exploded during the lumber era and was a boom town by the turn of the 20thCentury. As the lumber industry waned, the people of Boyne found new ways to revitalize their town by taking advantage of its natural resources. Today 3,500 people call Boyne City home year-round.
Boyne City is a Michigan Main Street Community. It has been designated as a Premier Michigan Main Street Community and has received both National and Master Main Street Community Accreditation. Recently a strong arts community has emerged, laying claim to the south end of downtown. Affectionately known as SoBo (South Boyne), there are several art galleries, antique vendors and restaurants. There are also plans to restore the historic theater and the Wolverine Dilworth Hotel to their former glory.
During the growing season, farmers and crafters bring their fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, meat and baked goods into town twice a week for the popular Farmers Market. Every Friday night during the summer, people flood the downtown to enjoy Stroll the Streets with live music on every corner. Wednesday hosts musical performances during Evenings at the Gazebo.
A three mile paved bike/walking path winds its way along the lakeshore and around town, allowing people to enjoy a leisurely stroll or bike ride from one end of town to the other.
An article from NorthJersey.com by Shannon Roxborough:
The area around Boyne City, Mich., on the eastern shore of Lake Charlevoix in northern Michigan, has long held powerful allure for those driven by ambition, in one form or another.
John Miller, an Irish immigrant from New York State, arrived in the mid-1800s, led by his spiritualist wife, Harriet, in search of an abandoned cabin on a bear-shaped lake she had seen in a dream. The story goes that when they found that waterfront structure, Miller named the nearby river that emptied into the lake “Boyne,” after a similar body in his native Ireland.
The Millers were trailed by lumberjacks who came to the tree-carpeted valley to harvest timber. During the Industrial Revolution, lumber baron W.H. White partnered with Canadian leather tanner William Sutherland Shaw to set up shop locally — bark from area hemlock trees fueled their tannery, which produced million of pounds of shoe leather annually.
True to its enterprising roots, the town of 3,735 souls today prides itself as “the fastest-growing city in Northern Michigan.” Don’t laugh. The city, despite its small size, is in the midst of a boom that belies its modest stature.
Boyne City has seen its population grow more than 6 percent in the 21st century, in part due to a developing regional reputation as a comfy place to settle, as other areas of Charlevoix County have experienced population losses.
But it was another, farther-reaching acclaim that initially lured Internet entrepreneur Jason Spaulding, 41, to Boyne City: its proximity to Boyne Mountain (boyne.com), a resort that draws skiers in droves, many from as far away as Detroit, four hours away, and even Chicago, a six-hour drive.
Spaulding, who grew up in Montvale and later lived in Grand Rapids, Mich., fondly remembers the three-hour road trips to the ski resort during his time in Michigan. “We would load up the car with gear and everyone couldn’t wait to get there,” he said, referring to his family. “The city itself wasn’t the destination, just a springboard to the resort.”
These days, the small town is much more than the hill’s backdrop and a gateway for ski buffs and snowboarders. Nature in all its forms helps define the town’s identity. It was, after all, summer fishing that brought Boyne Resorts’ founder Everett Kircher to the area. Today, some angling enthusiasts rave about Charlevoix Lake’s prized walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike, while others look to snag the feisty salmon and steelhead trout that run the Boyne River.
During the “thaw period,” Spaulding uses the three-bedroom house just outside Boyne City he purchased in 2010 for $127,500 as both a base camp for fishing expeditions and a year-round vacation home that he, his wife, Carrie, and their young son, Conner, visit often. “Even if you don’t ski or fish,” said Carrie Spaulding, “there’s quite a bit to do here, which is why Boyne is on the move.”
Indeed, the town is increasingly becoming known as an attractive spot to visit, retire and do business. Its industrial park is a center of activity, the school district is getting a high-tech upgrade and civic improvements are taking place. The most talked-about project is the $5.5 million restoration of the long-neglected Dilworth Hotel, a historic property that counted Ernest Hemingway as a guest. Once brought back to life, the hotel is expected to anchor downtown.
The city’s bohemian South Boyne, or SoBo, district — a play on words borrowed from New York’s Soho — is a magnet for creative types and the site of the annual SoBo Arts Festival (soboartsdistrict.org). It’s also home to Freshwater Studio (freshwaterstudio.org), which presents concerts and other events throughout the winter while Dunagain’s Antiques and Cindifranco’s Cool Stuff are excellent shopping venues.
But renewal efforts, rising economic fortunes and cultural ascendancy has not altered Boyne City’s small-town character: locals remain as friendly and chatty as ever; and the town is still the type of place where everybody knows your name. That holds true whether picking up meds at the circa-1896 Huff’s Pharmacy or grabbing a bite at Cafe Sante, Red Mesa Grille, Sunset Grill or any of the popular hangouts that perhaps best represent the hamlet’s traditional-but-forward-thinking sensibility through its casual fare – some with a gourmet twist.
“There’s no question that Boyne City is going places,” says Jason Spaulding. “But if you didn’t look too hard, you’d think it was standing still. That’s the true beauty of it.”
Perks
Reasonable second-home prices. Skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, fishing, boating, hiking, live performances and a farmers’ market.
Drawbacks
Although Glen’s Market offers grocery staples, larger-scale shopping requires a drive.
The weather
Cold, snow-blanketed winters and mild, comfortable summers.
The costs
Though Boyne City has an average listing price of $357,561, much residential real estate is priced under $200,000; some for less than $100,000.
Getting there
Continental, Delta, United, American Airlines and US Airways provide service, with stopovers, to Traverse City from $410. The drive from Cherry Capital Airport takes about 90 minutes.
Where to stay
Water Street Inn ($99-$279; 800-456-4313; boynewaterstreetinn.com) is a lakeside hotel with cozy suites.
Must see
Young State Park is a 560-plus-acre public space marked by gently rolling nature trails that double as cross-country ski routes.
Statistics from Wickipedia:
Boyne City, Michigan
| Boyne City, Michigan | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
 |
|
 Location of Boyne City, Michigan |
|
Coordinates:  45°12′44″N 85°0′50″W / 45.21222°N 85.01389°W / 45.21222; -85.01389 |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Charlevoix |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.2 sq mi (13.5 km2) |
| • Land | 3.9 sq mi (10.1 km2) |
| • Water | 1.3 sq mi (3.4 km2) |
| Elevation | 594 ft (181 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 3,503 |
| • Density | 896.7/sq mi (346.2/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 49712 |
| Area code(s) | 231 |
| FIPS code | 26-09820[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0621826[2] |
Boyne City (
/ˈbɔɪn ˈsɪti/) is a city in Charlevoix County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,503 at the 2000 census.
Boyne City is at the southeast end of the east arm of Lake Charlevoix, where the Boyne River enters the lake. It is at the corners of four townships, though it is politically independent: Evangeline Township is to the northwest, Melrose Township to the northeast, Boyne Valley Township to the southeast, and Wilson Township to the southwest.
M-75 connects with US 131 twice, at Walloon Lake about 6 miles (9.7 km) to the northeast and at Boyne Falls about 6 miles (9.7 km) to the southeast. County roads run west out of the city along the north and south shores of Lake Charlevoix.
Contents |
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13 km2), of which, 3.9 square miles (10 km2) of it is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2) of it (25.24%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 3,503 people, 1,468 households, and 932 families residing in the city. The population density was 896.7 per square mile (345.9/km²). There were 1,935 housing units at an average density of 495.3 per square mile (191.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.92% White, 0.11% African American, 1.14% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.
There were 1,468 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,819, and the median income for a family was $44,096. Males had a median income of $29,558 versus $22,583 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,030. About 8.9% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.
Vital Statistics from www.city-data.com:
Population in July 2009: 3,114. Population change since 2000: -11.1%
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| Males: 1,520 |  (48.8%) |
| Females: 1,594 |  (51.2%) |
| Median resident age: |  37.9 years |
| Michigan median age: |  35.5 years |
Zip codes: 49712.
Estimated median household income in 2009: $39,672 (it was $35,819 in 2000)
| Boyne City: | $39,672 |
| Michigan: | $45,255 |
Estimated per capita income in 2009: $26,193
Boyne City city income, earnings, and wages data
Estimated median house or condo value in 2009: $119,025 (it was $89,700 in 2000)
| Boyne City: | $119,025 |
| Michigan: | $132,200 |
Mean prices in 2009: All housing units: $175,149; Detached houses: $187,547; Townhouses or other attached units: $122,125; In 2-unit structures: $1,795,958; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $589,074; Mobile homes: $46,092
Median gross rent in 2009: $672.
Boyne City, MI residents, houses, and apartments details
- White alone – 3,006 (94.4%)
- Two or more races – 95 (3.0%)
- Black alone – 46 (1.4%)
- Asian alone – 17 (0.5%)
- American alone – 13 (0.4%)
- Hispanic – 8 (0.3%)
Races in Boyne City detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth
Jan. 2011 cost of living index in Boyne City: 81.4 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Boyne-City-Michigan.html#ixzz1hl8oqt6G
