Traverse City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, the largest in the 21-county Northern Michigan region. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 14,532. It is the county seat of Grand Traverse County6. Despite its small population, Traverse City functions as the major commercial nexus for a seven-county area totaling over 7,000 km2 and, along with cross-peninsula rival Alpena, is one of Northern Michigan's two anchor cities.
Traverse City is the self-proclaimed Cherry Capital of the World. Besides cherries, the surrounding countryside produces grapes and is one of the centers of wine production in the Midwest. Tourism, both summer and winter, is another key industry. Freshwater beaches, a mild summer climate, upscale golf resorts, a nearby National Lakeshore, prodigious snowfall, nearby ski resorts and thousands of square miles of surrounding forests make Traverse City Michigan's most popular tourist destination, ahead of nearby Petoskey and Ludington.
Traverse City is a home rule charter city, incorporated on May 18, 1895. The city is governed by six commissioners and a mayor, elected at large. Together they comprise a seven-member legislative body. An appointed city manager serves as chief executive for city operations.
The city sits at the head of Grand Traverse Bay, a long protected water of Lake Michigan. The city sits at the base of the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas. The Boardman River forms Boardman Lake in the city before draining into the Bay.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.5 km2 (8.7 mi2). 21.8 km2 (8.4 mi2) of it is land and 0.8 km2 (0.3 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 3.45% water.
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 14,532 people, 6,443 households, and 3,485 families residing in the city. The population density is 667.2/km2 (1,728.7/mi2). There are 6,842 housing units at an average density of 314.1/km2 (813.9/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 96.00% White, 0.65% African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. 1.67% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,443 households out of which 24.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% are married couples living together, 11.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 45.9% are non-families. 35.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.15 and the average family size is 2.82.
In the city the population is spread out with 20.3% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $37,330, and the median income for a family is $46,912. Males have a median income of $31,587 versus $22,512 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,247. 8.4% of the population and 4.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.2% of those under the age of 18 and 7.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
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Traverse City, MI
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