Traverse City metropolitan area

Last updated
Traverse City MSA
Metropolitan area
Traverse City metropolitan statistical area
Traverse City Skyline.jpg
Downtown Traverse City
Kalkaska.jpg
Downtown Kalkaska
Lake Michigan Sleeping Bear Dunes.jpg
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Traverse City metropolitan area
Traverse City MSA
Country Flag of the United States.svg United States
State Flag of Michigan.svg  Michigan
Counties
Area
 • Total11,820 km2 (4,564 sq mi)
 • Land4,380 km2 (1,691 sq mi)
 • Water7,440 km2 (2,873 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total153,448
 • Estimate 
(2023)
156,371 Increase2.svg
 • Density13.0/km2 (33.6/sq mi)
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code 231

The Traverse City Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties in Northern Michigan, anchored by the city of Traverse City. This area is commonly referred to as Northwestern Michigan or the Traverse Bay Area, after Grand Traverse Bay. The area consists of the counties of Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau.

Contents

As of the 2020 census, the Traverse City metropolitan area had a population of 153,448. Nearly one in three residents of Northern Michigan (with a population of 506,658 in 2020) reside within the Traverse City metropolitan area. Grand Traverse County holds about 62% of the population of the metropolitan area, with a population of 95,238 in 2020.

The area was first designated as a micropolitan statistical area in 2003, then promoted to metropolitan statistical area status in 2023. [1] In 2020, the Traverse City micropolitan area was the sixth-largest by population in the United States.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Townships

Unincorporated places

Demographics

MSA Population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870 11,627—
1880 21,04581.0%
1890 31,69650.6%
1900 47,85351.0%
1910 53,12711.0%
1920 41,103−22.6%
1930 38,603−6.1%
1940 44,78516.0%
1950 50,14812.0%
1960 55,0279.7%
1970 63,91216.1%
1980 91,06342.5%
1990 106,49716.9%
2000 131,34223.3%
2010 143,3729.2%
2020 153,4487.0%
2023 (est.)156,3711.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [2]

As of the census [3] of 2000, there were 131,342 people, 51,760 households, and 36,176 families residing within the metropolitan area. The racial makeup of the metropolitan area was 96.15% White, 0.33% African American, 1.43% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.69% of the population.

The median income for a household in the metropolitan area was $40,913, and the median income for a family was $46,772. Males had a median income of $33,148 versus $23,026 for females. The per capita income for the metropolitan area was $20,408.

County2020 census2010 censusChangeLand areaDensity
Grand Traverse County 95,23886,986+9.49%464 sq mi (1,200 km2)
Leelanau County 22,30121,708+2.73%347 sq mi (900 km2)
Benzie County 17,97017,525+2.54%320 sq mi (830 km2)
Kalkaska County 17,93917,153+4.58%560 sq mi (1,500 km2)

The largest municipality within the metropolitan area is Garfield Township in Grand Traverse County, with a population of 19,499 at the 2020 census. Garfield Township, as well as neighboring East Bay Township and the city of Traverse City itself, are the only municipalities within the metropolitan area with a population greater than 10,000. The largest village in the metropolitan area is Kalkaska.

Transportation

Air service

The Traverse City metropolitan area is served by one regional airport, Cherry Capital Airport, located in Grand Traverse County. Other smaller, local airports within the area include:

Major highways

Public transit

The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) is a public transit agency serving Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties. The Kalkaska Public Transport Authority (KAT) operates public transit service in Kalkaska County, and the Benzie Bus operates public transit service between Benzie County and Traverse City. [4] [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leelanau County, Michigan</span> County in Michigan, United States

Leelanau County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,301. Since 2008, the county seat has been located within Suttons Bay Township, one mile east of the unincorporated village of Lake Leelanau. Before 2008, Leelanau County's seat was Leland. Leelanau County is included in the Traverse City metropolitan area of Northern Michigan. The largest settlement in Leelanau County by population is Greilickville, itself a suburb of Traverse City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalkaska County, Michigan</span> County in Michigan, United States

Kalkaska County is located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, its population was 17,939. The county seat is Kalkaska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Traverse County, Michigan</span> County in Michigan, United States

Grand Traverse County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 95,238, making it the largest county in Northern Michigan. Its county seat is Traverse City. The county is part of the Traverse City metropolitan area, which also includes neighboring Benzie, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benzie County, Michigan</span> County in Michigan, United States

Benzie County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,970. The county seat is Beulah. The county was initially set off in 1863 and organized in 1869. At 321 square miles (830 km2), Benzie County is the smallest of the 83 counties in Michigan in terms of land area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antrim County, Michigan</span> County in Michigan, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benzonia Township, Michigan</span> Civil township in Michigan, United States

Benzonia Township is a civil township of Benzie County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 1,870.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blaine Township, Michigan</span> Civil township in Michigan, United States

Blaine Township is a civil township of Benzie County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 484. It is located in the southwest portion of the county. There are no significant population centers in the township; the nearest towns are Arcadia to the south, Benzonia to the northeast, and Elberta to the northwest. M-22 is the township's main thoroughfare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acme Township, Michigan</span> Civil township in Michigan, United States

Acme Township is a civil township of Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 4,456, a slight increase from 4,375 at the 2010 census. The southwestern portion of the township is largely urbanized, due to its proximity to Traverse City. Much of the rest of the township is agricultural, with the area being a cherry growing hotspot. The township lies upon the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay, a bay of Lake Michigan. A portion of the township is within the Grand Traverse Reservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garfield Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan</span> Charter township in Michigan, United States

Garfield Township, officially the Charter Township of Garfield, is a charter township of Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township had a total population of 19,499.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Lake Township, Michigan</span> Charter township in Michigan, United States

Long Lake Township, officially the Charter Township of Long Lake, is a charter township of Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,956 at the 2020 census, an increase from 8,662 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elmwood Township, Leelanau County, Michigan</span> Charter township in Michigan, United States

Elmwood Township is a charter township of Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,892 at the 2020 census, making it the largest township in Leelanau County by population. The southeasternmost township of Leelanau County, Elmwood Township is suburbanized, as it is immediately adjacent Traverse City, the largest city in Northern Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Empire Township, Michigan</span> Civil township in Michigan, United States

Empire Township is a civil township of Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 764 at the 2020 census. On the shores of Lake Michigan, Empire Township contains a substantial amount of land within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greilickville, Michigan</span> Census-designated place & unincorporated community in Michigan, United States

Greilickville is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the population was 1,634, up from 1,530 at the 2010 census. The community is located within Elmwood Charter Township, and is located in the extreme southeast of the Leelanau Peninsula.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northport, Michigan</span> Village in Michigan, United States

Northport is a village in Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located near the northern tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, Northport is located within Leelanau Township, and lies on the shore of Grand Traverse Bay, a bay of Lake Michigan. Northport had a population of 496 at the 2020 census. The village is located about 29 miles (47 km) north of Traverse City, and is part of that city's metropolitan area. From 1863 to 1883, Northport served as the county seat of Leelanau County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore</span> Protected area

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a U.S. national lakeshore in the northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Located within Benzie and Leelanau counties, the park extends along a 35-mile (56 km) stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou islands, preserving a total of 71,199 acres. The park is known for its outstanding natural features, including dune formations, forests, beaches, and ancient glacial phenomena. The lakeshore also contains many cultural features, including the 1871 South Manitou Island Lighthouse, three former stations of the Coast Guard, and an extensive rural historic farm district.

The Leelanau Peninsula is a peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan that extends about 30 miles (50 km) from the western side of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan into Lake Michigan, forming Grand Traverse Bay. It is often referred to as the "little finger" of the mitten-shaped lower peninsula. The peninsula is a tourist hotspot, especially due to the popularity of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which adorns the southwestern coast of the peninsula. The peninsula is also largely agricultural, and is a production hotspot for cherries and wine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Michigan</span> Northern region of Michigans lower peninsula

Northern Michigan, also known as Northern Lower Michigan, is a region of the U.S. state of Michigan. A popular tourist destination, it is home to several small- to medium-sized cities, extensive state and national forests, lakes and rivers, and a large portion of Great Lakes shoreline. The region has a significant seasonal population much like other regions that depend on tourism as their main industry. Northern Lower Michigan is distinct from the more northerly Upper Peninsula and Isle Royale, which are also located in "northern" Michigan. In the northernmost 21 counties in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, the total population of the region is 506,658 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians</span> Ethnic group

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians is a federally recognized Native American tribe located in northwest Michigan on the Leelanau Peninsula. Sandra Witherspoon is the current tribal chairperson, elected in May 2024 to a four-year term after succeeding David Arroyo, who served a single term from 2020 to 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Platte River (Michigan)</span> River in Michigan

The Platte River is a 29.5-mile-long (47.5 km) river in the northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Beginning at Long Lake in Grand Traverse County, the Platte River flows west across Benzie County before ending at Platte Bay, a small bay of Lake Michigan, in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The river drains an area of about 193 square miles (500 km2).

The Northwest Educational Services is a coordinating School District in Michigan, USA.

References

  1. ↑ "OMB Bulletin No. 23-01" (PDF).
  2. ↑ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing" . Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  3. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. ↑ "Home | Benzie Bus". www.benziebus.com. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  5. ↑ Authority, Kalkaska Public Transport. "Kalkaska Public Transport Authority". Kalkaska Public Transport Authority. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
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