Traverse County, Minnesota Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Traverse County is located in Minnesota with a total population of 3,279. It is the 87th most populous county out of 87 in Minnesota. The county encompasses 4 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Traverse County is 45.5 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 12.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Traverse County is $65,931. This is 25% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 16% lower. The poverty rate stands at 10.1%. This is 10% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $110,100. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Traverse County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 72.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Traverse County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.6%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 6.7%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.

Education

17.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.7%.