City · Michigan
Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City, city, mostly in Grand Traverse County (97.9% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Leelanau County, Michigan. Traverse City had 15,832 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 15,678 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 15,593 (±99). GEOID 2680340.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
15,832
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 15,678 · ACS 2020-2024: 15,593 ±99
Median household income
$74,087
±$7,199 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$415,400
±$20,684 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$995
±$97 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
Where is Traverse City and what county is it in?
Traverse City is a city mostly in Grand Traverse County (97.9% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Leelanau County, Michigan. It covers 8.3 square miles of land, 1,894 residents per square mile in 2020.
Traverse City is in the Traverse City, MI metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Traverse County | 15,341 | 97.9% |
| Leelanau County | 337 | 2.2% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Traverse City, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 15,832 people lived in Traverse City on July 1, 2025, up 1.1% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 15,678 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 15,593 (±99).
| Measure | Traverse City | Grand Traverse County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 15,593 ±99 | 96,166 | no clear change |
| Households | 7,191 ±353 | 40,287 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.06 ±0.10 | 2.34 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,479 ±404 | 47,003 | +1,056 |
Traverse City's population since 2000
From 14,532 in 2000 to 15,832 in 2025: up 8.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Traverse City as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Traverse City?
The median resident of Traverse City is 42.7 years old; 16.6% are under 18 and 23.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 6.2%. 2.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Traverse City | Grand Traverse County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7 ±2.0 | 43.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 16.6% ±2.2 pts | 19.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.9% ±2.9 pts | 22.0% | – |
| Male | 49.4% ±2.1 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.6% ±1.2 pts | 3.4% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 87.7% ±2.5 pts | 90.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.2% ±2.1 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.5% ±0.7 pts | 2.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.5% ±1.3 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.0% ±1.3 pts | 6.6% | – |
| With a disability | 11.5% ±2.0 pts | 12.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.8% ±1.2 pts | 4.3% | −4.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.8% ±0.9 pts | 95.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 47.4% ±3.9 pts | 40.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 22.7% ±2.6 pts | 16.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.6% ±3.2 pts | 88.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3% ±1.1 pts | 1.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Traverse City earn?
Half of Traverse City's 7,191 households earn less than $74,087 a year (±$7,199), against $81,647 in Grand Traverse County and $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $70,243 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Traverse City | Grand Traverse County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,087 ±$7,199 | $81,647 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $113,200 ±$13,138 | $105,300 | – |
| Per capita income | $53,432 ±$6,361 | $45,034 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.3% ±2.9 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.3% ±8.1 pts | 14.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.5% ±2.7 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.1% ±1.3 pts | 96.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.2% ±2.3 pts | 91.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Traverse City?
Owners occupy 63.7% of Traverse City's occupied homes and renters 36.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $415,400 by its owner (±$20,684). The median renter pays $995 a month including utilities, and 35.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Traverse City | Grand Traverse County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $415,400 ±$20,684 | $339,400 | +$87,912 |
| Median gross rent | $995 ±$97 | $1,288 | −$119 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.6% ±9.0 pts | 38.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,817 ±$95 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.7% ±5.0 pts | 77.2% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 36.3% ±5.0 pts | 22.8% | – |
| Housing units | 8,479 ±404 | 47,003 | +1,056 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.9% ±1.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.4% ±5.2 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.9% ±3.8 pts | 72.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2% ±0.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 10.2% ±2.4 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 31.4% ±3.5 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.6% ±2.3 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Traverse City work and get to work?
58.3% of Traverse City's workers drive alone and 19.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.2%.
| Measure | Traverse City | Grand Traverse County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.6% ±3.3 pts | 64.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% ±2.6 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 58.3% ±4.4 pts | 70.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.5% ±2.3 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.1% ±0.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 5.9% ±1.9 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.4% ±3.4 pts | 15.2% | +12.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.2 min ±1.7 | 20.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Traverse City?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Traverse City, and 5 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $58,720 (Tract 5512) to $103,629 (Tract 5515).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 5514Grand Traverse County | 5,443 | $73,125 |
| Tract 5510Grand Traverse County | 4,336 | $91,122 |
| Tract 5515Grand Traverse County | 3,786 | $103,629 |
| Tract 5512Grand Traverse County | 3,321 | $58,720 |
| Tract 5511Grand Traverse County | 4,436 | $69,015 |
| Tract 5513.01Grand Traverse County | 1,612 | $42,386 |
| Tract 9706.01Leelanau County | 3,913 | $82,588 |
| Tract 5513.03Grand Traverse County | 2,729 | $29,750 |
| Tract 5509Grand Traverse County | 5,081 | $134,911 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Traverse City) · Census block assignment files
How does Traverse City compare with other places in Michigan?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Traverse City is the 2,323rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 61st-most populous of 533 in Michigan.
Traverse City ranks 609th of 1,354 places in Michigan with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 61st | 533 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 532nd | 1,281 |
| Residents per square mile | 153rd | 1,356 |
| Median household income | 609th | 1,354 |
| Per capita income | 132nd | 1,355 |
| Median home value | 61st | 1,354 |
| Median gross rent | 557th | 1,212 |
| Poverty rate | 471st | 1,213 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 119th | 1,350 |
| Median age | 728th | 1,356 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,214th | 1,356 |
| Work from home | 106th | 1,062 |
| Travel time to work | 1,271st | 1,356 |
Traverse City's figures with every place in Michigan (CSV)
Every place in Michigan, sortable · Compare Traverse City with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Traverse City?
6 of the 57 figures for Traverse City on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Traverse City are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Traverse City.