County · Michigan
Grand Traverse County, Michigan
Grand Traverse County, Michigan. Grand Traverse County had 96,729 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.6% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). It holds 19 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs, 13 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 24 census tracts. GEOID 26055.
Grand Traverse County is one of the 4 counties of the Traverse City, MI metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
96,729
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 95,238 · ACS 2020-2024: 96,166
Median household income
$81,647
±$3,008 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$339,400
±$8,651 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$1,288
±$65 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
How many people live in Grand Traverse County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 95,238 residents in Grand Traverse County. The Census Bureau estimates 96,729 for July 1, 2025, up 1.6% since 2020, faster than Michigan (+0.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 96,166 over 464 square miles of land.
| Measure | Grand Traverse County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 96,166 | 10,077,761 | +3,985 |
| Households | 40,287±624 | 4,076,369 | +2,968 |
| Average household size | 2.34±0.04 | 2.42 | −0.07 |
| Housing units | 47,003±84 | 4,622,236 | +3,061 |
Grand Traverse County's population since 2000
From 77,654 in 2000 to 96,729 in 2025: up 24.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Grand Traverse County?
Grand Traverse County holds 19 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 13 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Garfield Charter Township with 19,698 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Garfield Charter Township | 19,499 | $66,082 |
|---|---|---|
| Traverse City | 15,678 | $74,087 |
| East Bay Township | 11,589 | $85,291 |
| Long Lake Township | 9,956 | $96,220 |
| Blair Township | 8,994 | $71,582 |
| Green Lake Township | 6,703 | $92,784 |
| Peninsula Township | 6,068 | $137,787 |
| Paradise Township | 4,952 | $74,084 |
| Acme Township | 4,456 | $110,281 |
| Whitewater Township | 2,688 | $93,958 |
| Mayfield Township, Grand Traverse County | 1,786 | $74,432 |
| Fife Lake Township | 1,526 | $83,194 |
| Kingsley | 1,431 | $67,321 |
| Grant Township, Grand Traverse County | 1,212 | $81,250 |
| Chums CornerGEOID 2615715 | 1,065 | $100,855 |
| GrawnGEOID 2634620 | 816 | $57,908 |
| InterlochenGEOID 2640800 | 694 | $104,883 |
| Union Township, Grand Traverse CountyGEOID 2605581320 | 468 | $108,438 |
| Fife Lake | 456 | $68,472 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Grand Traverse County?
The median resident of Grand Traverse County is 43.5 years old; 19.4% are under 18 and 22.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.1%. 2.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Grand Traverse County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.5±0.4 | 40.2 | +0.7 |
| Under 18 years | 19.4% | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.0%±0.1 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.4% | 5.9% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.5%±0.5 pts | 72.4% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 3.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.1%±0.5 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.0%±0.3 pts | 7.2% | −0.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.4%±0.4 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6%±0.7 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 12.7%±0.8 pts | 14.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.3%±0.6 pts | 4.9% | −2.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.7%±0.6 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 40.6%±1.4 pts | 32.4% | +4.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.8%±1.0 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
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 Grand Traverse County earn?
Half of Grand Traverse County's 40,287 households earn less than $81,647 a year (±$3,008), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $78,241 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Grand Traverse County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $81,647±$3,008 | $72,875 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $105,300±$3,395 | $98,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,034±$1,435 | $40,735 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.6%±1.3 pts | 13.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.2%±3.8 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.5%±1.1 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.9%±1.2 pts | 90.5% | – |
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 Grand Traverse County?
Owners occupy 77.2% of Grand Traverse County's occupied homes and renters 22.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $339,400 by its owner (±$8,651). The median renter pays $1,288 a month including utilities, and 38.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Grand Traverse County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $339,400±$8,651 | $231,600 | +$77,878 |
| Median gross rent | $1,288±$65 | $1,129 | +$118 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.2%±4.8 pts | 41.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,566±$49 | $1,569 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.2%±1.6 pts | 73.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 47,003±84 | 4,622,236 | +3,061 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.6%±2.8 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.5%±1.4 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.7%±0.9 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.0%±0.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.9%±1.2 pts | 14.6% | – |
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 many new homes is Grand Traverse County building?
Builders took permits for 475 new housing units across Grand Traverse County in 2025 (453 single-family), 4.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Grand Traverse County get to work?
70.7% of Grand Traverse County's workers drive alone and 15.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Grand Traverse County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.0%±1.1 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±0.8 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 70.7%±1.8 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.1%±1.0 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 2.2%±0.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.2%±1.3 pts | 13.5% | +9.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.6 min±0.7 | 24.2 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 are Grand Traverse County's census tracts?
Grand Traverse County is divided into 24 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $29,750 (Tract 5513.03) to $134,911 (Tract 5509).
All 24 census tracts of Grand Traverse County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Grand Traverse County compare with Michigan's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 22nd of 83 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 35th of 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 18th of 83 |
| Median household income | 9th of 83 |
| Median home value | 5th of 83 |
| Median gross rent | 3rd of 83 |
| Poverty rate | 73rd of 83 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9th of 83 |
| Median age | 46th of 83 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Grand Traverse County 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' school search.