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Population Review

Traverse City, Michigan Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates

The population of Traverse City, Michigan is 15,491 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 71st-largest city in Michigan. The median household income is $71,731, the median home value is $367,600, and the median age is 42.2.

The population has grown 7.2% since 2010 (14,724 → 15,782).

15,491

Population

1872

People / sq mi

$71,731

Median Income

$367,600

Median Home Value

Traverse City covers 8.3 sq mi of land at 1872 people per square mile.

About Traverse City, MI

Traverse City is a city in Michigan with a population of 15,491. It ranks #71 among cities in Michigan by population. The median age is 42.2, older than the national median. The population is 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

The median household income in Traverse City is $71,731, near the US median of $74,580. 4.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $367,600, with monthly rent averaging $983. The homeownership rate of 60.9% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Traverse City reflects 47.0% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 15.7% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 18.8 minutes each way.

Traverse City city Population History (2010-2024)

The city of Traverse City city had a population of 14,724 in 2010 and 15,782 in 2024, a 7.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 15,782 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.50%.

2024 · 16K20102024

15,782

Population (2024)

14,724

Population (2010)

15,782

Peak (2024)

0.50%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
201014,724
201114,880
201214,974
201315,058
201415,202
201515,332
201615,437
201715,506
201815,656
201915,738
202015,674
202115,625
202215,683
202315,718
202415,782

Race & Ethnicity

White90.8%
Black or African American1.7%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)2.0%
Two or More Races0.0%

Economy & Income

$71,731

Median Household Income

$53,630

Per Capita Income

4.9%

Poverty Rate

2.9%

Unemployment Rate

Housing

$367,600

Median Home Value

$983

Median Rent

60.9%

Owner-Occupied

Education

95.7%

High School+

47.0%

Bachelor's+

Commute

3.0%

Drive Alone

59.7%

Public Transit

15.7%

Work From Home

18.8 min

Avg Commute

Community Profile

22.0%

Foreign Born

95.2%

Non-English at Home

5.0%

Veterans

11.5%

With Disability

95.5%

Health Insurance

95.8%

Internet Access

Employment by Industry

Professional, Scientific & Management29.2%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate11.5%
Manufacturing10.6%
Education, Health Care & Social Services10.5%
Information9.3%
Construction4.5%
Arts, Entertainment & Food Services3.2%
Public Administration2.3%
Retail Trade2.0%
Transportation & Warehousing1.5%
Agriculture & Mining0.6%

Largest cities in Michigan

Largest counties in Michigan

Part of Michigan

Metro areas in Michigan

City rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Traverse City, Michigan has a population of 15,491 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 71st-largest city in Michigan.

The median household income in Traverse City, Michigan is $71,731, with 4.9% of residents living below the federal poverty level.

The median home value in Traverse City, Michigan is $367,600, with median monthly rent at $983 and a homeownership rate of 60.9%.

The median age in Traverse City, Michigan is 42.2 years. The population is 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

The population has grown 7.2% since 2010 (14,724 → 15,782).

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.