County · Minnesota
Traverse County, Minnesota
Traverse County, Minnesota. Traverse County had 3,130 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 6.9% since 2020, while Minnesota grew 2.2%. It holds 19 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 15 towns and townships) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 27155.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,130
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,360 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,243
Median household income
$62,989
±$7,635 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$114,100
±$12,238 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$615
±$66 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Traverse County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 3,360 residents in Traverse County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,130 for July 1, 2025, down 6.9% since 2020, while Minnesota grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,243 over 574 square miles of land.
| Measure | Traverse County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,243 | 5,739,445 | −68 |
| Households | 1,311±74 | 2,307,955 | −297 |
| Average household size | 2.39±0.13 | 2.43 | +0.39 |
| Housing units | 1,896±19 | 2,545,030 | −169 |
Traverse County's population since 2000
From 4,134 in 2000 to 3,130 in 2025: down 24.3%. 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 Traverse County?
Traverse County holds 19 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 15 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Wheaton with 1,330 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Wheaton | 1,460 | $45,781 |
|---|---|---|
| Browns ValleyGEOID 2708200 | 558 | $49,250 |
| Lake Valley TownshipGEOID 2715535126 | 198 | $114,821 |
| Leonardsville TownshipGEOID 2715536512 | 111 | $77,000 |
| Folsom TownshipGEOID 2715521554 | 111 | $124,375 |
| Monson TownshipGEOID 2715543684 | 110 | $88,393 |
| Taylor Township, Traverse CountyGEOID 2715564300 | 84 | $93,750 |
| Dollymount TownshipGEOID 2715516012 | 80 | $98,750 |
| DumontGEOID 2717090 | 75 | $132,708 |
| Croke TownshipGEOID 2715513762 | 73 | $67,083 |
| Tara Township, Traverse CountyGEOID 2715564246 | 72 | $93,750 |
| Windsor TownshipGEOID 2715570834 | 72 | $109,167 |
| TintahGEOID 2764948 | 67 | $36,607 |
| Parnell Township, Traverse CountyGEOID 2715549858 | 64 | $99,286 |
| Clifton Township, Traverse CountyGEOID 2715511944 | 59 | $111,250 |
| Arthur Township, Traverse CountyGEOID 2715502314 | 59 | $97,500 |
| Walls TownshipGEOID 2715567828 | 42 | $130,417 |
| Tintah TownshipGEOID 2715564966 | 33 | $69,531 |
| Redpath TownshipGEOID 2715553548 | 32 | $153,750 |
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 Traverse County?
The median resident of Traverse County is 46.1 years old; 21.6% are under 18 and 25.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.1%. 2.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Traverse County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.1±1.5 | 38.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.6%±0.6 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.4%±0.4 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.1% | 6.4% | +3.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.2%±0.5 pts | 75.9% | −4.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 5.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 3.6%±1.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.0%±1.3 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.4%±1.0 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.7%±1.5 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.0%±2.0 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 17.2%±2.6 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.9%±0.7 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.3%±2.5 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.6%±2.5 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.0%±0.9 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6%±0.9 pts | 1.8% | – |
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 County earn?
Half of Traverse County's 1,311 households earn less than $62,989 a year (±$7,635), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $63,943 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Traverse County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,989±$7,635 | $89,062 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $83,949±$5,987 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,082±$2,741 | $48,237 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.3%±2.9 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.0%±6.0 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.9%±3.7 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.5%±3.1 pts | 91.6% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 81.8% of Traverse County's occupied homes and renters 18.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $114,100 by its owner (±$12,238). The median renter pays $615 a month including utilities, and 42.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Traverse County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $114,100±$12,238 | $329,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $615±$66 | $1,280 | −$148 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.3%±14.1 pts | 38.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,292±$124 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.8%±3.2 pts | 72.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,896±19 | 2,545,030 | −169 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.2%±1.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 24.7%±12.4 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 82.5%±3.4 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.2%±1.3 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 27.8%±3.3 pts | 15.6% | – |
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 Traverse County building?
Builders took permits for 6 new housing units across Traverse County in 2025 (6 single-family), 1.9 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 Traverse County get to work?
70.2% of Traverse County's workers drive alone and 16.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | Traverse County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.5%±3.5 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5%±2.4 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 70.2%±4.0 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.1%±2.2 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 6.2%±1.9 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.8%±3.6 pts | 17.6% | +8.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.1 min±2.7 | 22.7 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 Traverse County's census tracts?
Traverse County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $53,843 (Tract 4601) to $74,000 (Tract 4602).
| Tract 460127155460100 | 2,100±111 | $53,843 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 460227155460200 | 1,143±112 | $74,000 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Traverse County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 87th of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 87th of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 81st of 87 |
| Median household income | 82nd of 87 |
| Median home value | 87th of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 85th of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 31st of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 84th of 87 |
| Median age | 14th of 87 |
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 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.