# Traverse City metropolitan area

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.
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. In 2020, the Traverse City micropolitan area was the sixth-largest by population in the United States.

## Communities
### Cities

* Frankfort
* Traverse City (Principal city)

### Villages

* Benzonia
* Beulah
* Elberta
* Empire
* Fife Lake
* Honor
* Kalkaska
* Kingsley
* Lake Ann
* Northport
* Suttons Bay
* Thompsonville

### Townships

* Acme Township
* Almira Township
* Bear Lake Township
* Benzonia Township
* Bingham Township
* Blaine Township
* Blair Township
* Blue Lake Township
* Boardman Township
* Centerville Township
* Clearwater Township
* Cleveland Township
* Coldsprings Township
* Colfax Township
* Crystal Lake Township
* East Bay Township
* Elmwood Charter Township
* Empire Township
* Excelsior Township
* Fife Lake Township
* Garfield Township (Grand Traverse County)
* Garfield Township (Kalkaska County)
* Gilmore Township
* Glen Arbor Township
* Grant Township
* Green Lake Township
* Homestead Township
* Inland Township
* Joyfield Township
* Kalkaska Township
* Kasson Township
* Lake Township
* Leelanau Township
* Leland Township
* Long Lake Township
* Mayfield Township
* Oliver Township
* Orange Township
* Paradise Township
* Peninsula Township
* Platte Township
* Rapid River Township
* Solon Township
* Springfield Township
* Suttons Bay Township
* Union Township
* Weldon Township
* Whitewater Township

### Unincorporated places

* Acme
* Bear Lake (Kalkaska County)
* Bendon
* Burdickville
* Cedar
* Chums Corner
* Grawn
* Greilickville
* Glen Arbor
* Glen Haven
* Interlochen
* Karlin
* Lake Leelanau
* Leland
* Manistee Lake
* Maple City
* Nessen City
* Old Mission
* Omena
* Peshawbestown
* Pilgrim
* Rapid City
* South Boardman
* Walton
* Williamsburg
* Yuba

## 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 $20,408.
| County | 2020 census | 2010 census | Change | Land area | Density |
| Grand Traverse County | 95,238 | 86,986 | +9.49% | 464 sq mi (1,200 km$^2$) | 205/sq mi (79/km$^2$) |
| Leelanau County | 22,301 | 21,708 | +2.73% | 347 sq mi (900 km$^2$) | 64/sq mi (25/km$^2$) |
| Benzie County | 17,970 | 17,525 | +2.54% | 320 sq mi (830 km$^2$) | 56/sq mi (22/km$^2$) |
| Kalkaska County | 17,939 | 17,153 | +4.58% | 560 sq mi (1,500 km$^2$) | 32/sq mi (12/km$^2$) |
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:
* Empire Airport
* Frankfort Dow Memorial Field
* Green Lake Airport
* Kalkaska City Airport
* Woolsey Memorial Airport
* Yuba Airport

### Major highways

* US 31
* US 131
* M-22
* M-37
* M-66
* M-72
* M-109
* M-113
* M-115
* M-186
* M-201
* M-204

### 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.