East Jordan

East Jordan sits at the foot of the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix, where the Jordan River — the one that flows down out of the valley to the south — empties into the lake. It’s a smaller, friendly working town with a walkable main street, a lakefront park, and a strong sense of community.

What sets East Jordan apart is industry: it’s the home of EJ, the company that started in 1883 as the East Jordan Iron Works and is still here today, casting the manhole covers, grates, and other infrastructure that show up in streets all over the world. That gives East Jordan a year-round economy that many small resort towns don’t have. The Breezeway, a pretty back-road drive over to Ellsworth, starts here, winding past farms and orchards.

For buyers, East Jordan tends to be more affordable than Charlevoix or Boyne City while still offering Lake Charlevoix access and the same beautiful surroundings. It’s a good fit if you want lake country with a real local economy and a more down-to-earth feel.