Traverse City metropolitan area

Last updated
Traverse City MSA
Northwestern Michigan, Grand Traverse Area
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
4,564 sq mi (11,820 km2)
 • Land1,691 sq mi (4,380 km2)
 • Water2,873 sq mi (7,440 km2)
 • Urban
56.6 sq mi (146.6 km2)
Population
 (2020)
153,448 (MI: 10th)
 • Estimate 
(2024)
156,634 Increase2.svg
 • Density33.6/sq mi (13.0/km2)
 •  Urban
59,493
 • Urban density1,051/sq mi (405.8/km2)
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 a metropolitan area in the northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, encompassing the counties of Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau, and anchored by the city of Traverse City. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the MSA had a population of 153,448, making it Michigan's tenth-largest metropolitan area. Between 2010 and 2020, the metropolitan area was also the fastest growing in Michigan. The region is colloquially referred to as "Northwestern Michigan", the "Grand Traverse Area", and less commonly, the "Traverse Bay Area".

Contents

Description

The four counties that comprise the metropolitan area were first designated a micropolitan statistical area in 2003. This was then upgraded to metropolitan statistical area status in 2023. [1]

Within the metropolitan area, the Census Bureau records an urban population of 59,493 as of the 2020 census. This is divided between the Traverse City—Garfield Urban Area, in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties, with a population of 56,890, and the Frankfort Urban Area, in Benzie County, with a population of 2,603. [2]

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 alone holds about 62% of the population of the metropolitan area, with a population of 95,238 in 2020.

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%
2024 (est.)156,6342.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [3]

As of the census [4] 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. [5] [6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "OMB Bulletin No. 23-01" (PDF).
  2. ↑ "2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications". Federal Register. 2022-12-29. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  3. ↑ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing" . Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  4. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ↑ "Home | Benzie Bus". www.benziebus.com. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  6. ↑ Authority, Kalkaska Public Transport. "Kalkaska Public Transport Authority". Kalkaska Public Transport Authority. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
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