Traverse City metropolitan area


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".

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.
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.
Nearly one in three residents of Northern Michigan 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.

Demographics

As of the census 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--
Leelanau County--
Benzie County--
Kalkaska County--

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

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Public transit

The Bay Area Transportation Authority is a public transit agency serving Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties. The Kalkaska Public Transport Authority operates public transit service in Kalkaska County, and the Benzie Bus operates public transit service between Benzie County and Traverse City.