Population 3,243 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Traverse County
Household size in Traverse County
| Period | Traverse County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.14 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.19 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.03 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.46 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.32 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Traverse County run small, averaging 2.46 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. That is in line with the rest of Minnesota. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.14, but in a place this small, survey estimates can swing a lot from one release to the next.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Traverse County
| Period | Traverse County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.6 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 48.4 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.7 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.2 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.4 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Traverse County skews older: half of its residents are older than 46.2, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Traverse County is older than at least four in five Minnesota counties.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Traverse County
| Period | Traverse County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.2% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.7% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.6% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.6% of households in Traverse County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Few Minnesota counties have a lower share of single-parent households: only three of 87.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Traverse County
Renters in Traverse County
| Period | Traverse County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.7% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.3% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.4% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.2% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Traverse County is largely a place of homeowners: only 18.2% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 59.3% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Traverse County
| Period | Traverse County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.9% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.4% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.1% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.8% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +8.9 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 29.8% of the housing in Traverse County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Of Minnesota's 87 counties, only five have a higher vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Traverse County
| Period | Traverse County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1951 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1953 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1959 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1964 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +12 | +5 | +6 |
Traverse County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1964, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Traverse County
| Period | Traverse County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $472 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $612 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $783 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $707 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$235 | +$522 | +$606 |
Rent in Traverse County runs $707 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent takes 30.8% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Of Minnesota's 87 counties, only four have lower rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Traverse County
Bachelor's degrees in Traverse County
| Period | Traverse County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.5% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.7% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.4% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.8% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Traverse County: 16.8% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Of Minnesota's 87 counties, only four have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Traverse County
| Period | Traverse County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.2% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.4% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.3% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.7% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.5 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Traverse County: 94.7% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Minnesota as a whole looks much the same.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Traverse County
| Period | Traverse County | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.7% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 2.8% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.0% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Traverse County runs below the national rate: 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. The picture is much the same across Minnesota. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Traverse County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse County | 2.46 | 46.2 | 5.6% | 18.2% | 29.8% | 1964 | $707 | 16.8% | 94.7% | 4.2% |
| Roberts County | 2.87 | 38.5 | 14.8% | 28.8% | 21.5% | 1971 | $681 | 18.0% | 91.5% | 6.1% |
| Marshall County | 2.56 | 43.0 | 6.0% | 19.7% | 31.5% | 1968 | $783 | 25.5% | 92.4% | 0.3% |
| Pope County | 2.29 | 45.7 | 6.1% | 16.5% | 20.0% | 1970 | $1,007 | 24.3% | 95.6% | 1.2% |
| Benton County | 2.49 | 37.0 | 12.2% | 33.3% | 5.9% | 1987 | $1,176 | 26.8% | 92.8% | 4.0% |
| McPherson County | 2.09 | 49.4 | 5.1% | 18.7% | 24.2% | 1964 | $637 | 27.4% | 83.8% | 1.1% |
| Mille Lacs County | 2.55 | 42.2 | 11.4% | 22.1% | 14.5% | 1985 | $1,158 | 18.3% | 91.9% | 4.4% |
| Kanabec County | 2.47 | 45.7 | 9.8% | 15.5% | 14.8% | 1982 | $1,040 | 15.8% | 90.7% | 4.6% |
| Campbell County | 2.12 | 50.2 | 0.7% | 23.7% | 16.1% | 1961 | $969 | 36.0% | 91.9% | 3.1% |
| Burnett County | 2.37 | 54.9 | 5.4% | 14.1% | 48.1% | 1982 | $833 | 22.2% | 93.6% | 4.5% |
| Corson County | 3.48 | 29.4 | 28.7% | 40.9% | 16.2% | 1974 | $521 | 18.3% | 85.3% | 26.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Pickett County, TN · Love County, OK · Loving County, TX · Lowndes County, AL · Lucas County, IA · Luce County, MI · Lunenburg County, VA · Pershing County, NV · Petroleum County, MT · Phelps County, NE
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Traverse County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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