Traverse City ZIP Code List — Grand Traverse County, MI

There are 4 unique ZIP codes in Traverse City, Michigan. Area code: 231.

ZIP codes

222.98

sq mi land

41.04

sq mi water

231

area code

Traverse City, MI ZIP code map

About Traverse City, MI

Traverse City, Michigan, is a vibrant city located in the northwestern part of the state. It is known for its stunning natural scenery, including beautiful lakes, rolling hills, and a bustling downtown area. With its charming small-town atmosphere, Traverse City is a popular destination for both tourists and residents alike.

Location & geography

Traverse City is situated in Grand Traverse County and is bordered by several notable waterways, including Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. The city lies approximately 80 miles northeast of Manistee and 55 miles northwest of Cadillac, contributing to its appeal as a scenic getaway. Covering a total land area of 270.29 square miles, with an additional 67.22 square miles designated as water, the region is characterized by its picturesque coastlines and lush landscapes.

Community & economy

The character of Traverse City is defined by its close-knit community and a strong sense of local pride. The city has a diverse economy, with key industries including tourism, agriculture, and healthcare, which provide a robust job market for its residents. Daily life in Traverse City is enriched by numerous outdoor activities, cultural events, and a commitment to preserving the area's natural beauty.

Transportation

Traverse City is accessible via several major highways, including U.S. Route 31 and M-72, which connect it to other northern Michigan destinations. The nearest airport is Cherry Capital Airport, which offers regional flights and serves as a gateway for travelers. Public transportation options are available locally, enhancing mobility within the city.

History

Traverse City was founded in the mid-19th century and quickly grew as a lumbering and shipping center due to its strategic location on the Great Lakes. Over the years, it has transitioned from a primary focus on timber to a thriving tourist destination, attracting visitors with its wineries, festivals, and outdoor activities. Notable events in the city's history include the establishment of the National Cherry Festival, which celebrates the area's abundant cherry harvest each summer.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Traverse City is that it is often referred to as the 'Cherry Capital of the World' due to its significant cherry production. The city also hosts the largest cherry festival in the United States, drawing thousands of visitors annually to celebrate this beloved fruit.

ZIP codes for Traverse City, MI (4)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
49684	Traverse City	Grand Traverse	View map
49685	Traverse City	Grand Traverse	View map
49686	Traverse City	Grand Traverse	View map
49696	Traverse City	Grand Traverse	View map

Demographics & statistics

77,926

Population

44.9

Median age

$74,713

Median household income

$42,937

Per capita income

$290,825

Median home value

$1,174

Median monthly rent

76.6%

Home ownership

10.3%

Poverty rate

4.0%

Unemployment

29,336

Housing units

41.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,700

Under 5

1,802

1,997

5–9

2,117

2,102

10–14

2,228

2,094

15–19

2,220

1,972

20–24

2,091

4,854

25–34

5,144

4,281

35–44

4,537

4,770

45–54

5,055

2,843

55–59

3,014

2,757

60–64

2,922

5,022

65–74

5,322

2,173

75–84

2,303

1,265

85+

1,341

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	14,424	19.0%
18 and over	63,502	81.0%
65 and over	17,426	21.9%
Median age	44.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91.8%

Two or more races 3.4%

Hispanic or Latino 1.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.1%

Black or African American 0.8%

Asian 0.7%

Other race 0.6%

Group	Count	%
White	72,642	91.8%
Two or more races	2,718	3.4%
Hispanic or Latino	1,229	1.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	858	1.1%
Black or African American	647	0.8%
Asian	561	0.7%
Other race	493	0.6%

Household income

Under $10k 4.1%

$10k–$15k 1.8%

$15k–$25k 6.0%

$25k–$35k 7.7%

$35k–$50k 10.1%

$50k–$75k 18.4%

$75k–$100k 15.5%

$100k–$150k 21.8%

$150k–$200k 7.1%

$200k+ 7.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.1%
$10k–$15k	1.8%
$15k–$25k	6.0%
$25k–$35k	7.7%
$35k–$50k	10.1%
$50k–$75k	18.4%
$75k–$100k	15.5%
$100k–$150k	21.8%
$150k–$200k	7.1%
$200k+	7.6%
Median income	$74,713

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.7%

$50k–$100k 2.3%

$100k–$150k 5.7%

$150k–$200k 12.9%

$200k–$300k 26.5%

$300k–$500k 29.4%

$500k–$1M 14.3%

$1M+ 3.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$290,825
Median rent / month	$1,174
Owner occupied	76.6%
Renter occupied	23.4%
Vacant	14.5%
Single-family detached	72.1%
Large apartment buildings	5.6%
Mobile homes	6.1%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.49

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	10.3%
2000–2009	18.7%
1990–1999	16.5%
1980–1989	13.4%
1970–1979	17.5%
1960–1969	4.7%
1950–1959	6.8%
1940–1949	2.2%
1939 or earlier	9.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.2%
1 bedroom	9.2%
2 bedrooms	24.7%
3 bedrooms	41.8%
4 bedrooms	18.3%
5+ bedrooms	4.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.0%
1 vehicle	32.3%
2 vehicles	41.7%
3 or more	20.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	75.4%
Electricity	12.8%
Propane / LP gas	8.7%
Fuel oil	0.9%
Wood	1.4%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	15,445	50.0%
Cohabiting couple	2,790	9.3%
Male householder, no spouse	5,336	14.9%
Female householder, no spouse	9,133	25.8%
Households with children under 18	7,819	25.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	12,167	36.0%
Average household size	2.40

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	32.3%	26.1%
Married	53.2%	47.8%
Separated	0.6%	1.4%
Widowed	2.6%	7.9%
Divorced	11.3%	16.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.4%

Some HS, no diploma 3.2%

HS graduate 20.7%

Some college, no degree 23.0%

Associate's degree 10.9%

Bachelor's degree 25.4%

Graduate / professional 15.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	95.5%
Bachelor's or higher	41.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	1,197	6.8%
Kindergarten	510	3.0%
Elementary school	6,759	41.7%
High school	3,414	21.1%
College / grad school	4,550	27.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 25.1%

Retail trade 13.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.7%

Professional & management 10.3%

Manufacturing 9.9%

Construction 7.5%

Finance & real estate 7.2%

Other services 4.2%

Transportation & utilities 3.9%

Public administration 3.3%

Wholesale trade 2.0%

Information 1.2%

Agriculture & mining 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	40.5%
Service	17.1%
Sales & office	22.6%
Natural resources & construction	7.7%
Production & transportation	12.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.4%
Government	9.9%
Self-employed	7.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	73.0%
Carpool	9.3%
Public transit	0.9%
Walk	2.1%
Other means	2.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.9

Poverty

All people 10.3%

Under 18 years 17.5%

18 and over 8.6%

Married-couple families 3.1%

Female-led households 22.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	36.6%
Retirement income	30.7%
Supplemental Security	4.0%
Cash public assistance	2.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	7.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	16.1%
High cholesterol	16.8%
Heart disease	3.2%
Stroke	1.4%
Asthma	5.3%
Arthritis	14.4%
Kidney disease	1.4%
Pulmonary disease	3.4%
Cancer	3.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	9.9%
No physical activity	8.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	14.5%
Fair or poor health	6.1%
Poor mental health	7.5%
Poor physical health	4.9%
No health insurance	3.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	37.4%
Visited dentist	36.5%
Cholesterol screening	46.0%
Teeth loss	4.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	4,952	7.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	12.4%
Under 18	4.2%
18–64 years	9.2%
65 and over	27.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	76.8%
Public insurance	37.0%
Uninsured under 19	1.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	74,424	95.5%
Spanish	509	0.7%
Other Indo-European	303	0.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	131	0.2%
Other languages	75	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	76,251	97.9%
Born in same state	75,616	97.1%
Born in different state	59,844	77.3%
Foreign born	635	0.8%
Naturalized citizen	1,675	2.2%
Not a US citizen	1,110	67.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	11,868	15.2%
Italian	10,097	13%
Arab	3,982	5.1%
English	2,733	3.5%
German	1,996	2.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	1,828	2.3%
Irish	475	0.6%
Dutch	436	0.6%
Norwegian	252	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.2%
Internet access	95.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Traverse City, MI have?

Traverse City, MI has 4 ZIP codes: 49684, 49685, 49686, 49696. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.

What is the main ZIP code for Traverse City, MI?

The primary ZIP code for Traverse City, MI is 49684. The city uses area code 231 for phone service.

What county is Traverse City, MI in?

Traverse City is located in Grand Traverse County, Michigan.

How many ZIP codes are in Traverse City, MI?

Traverse City, MI has 4 ZIP codes.

What ZIP code covers downtown Traverse City and the waterfront along Grand Traverse Bay?

Downtown Traverse City and the waterfront areas are primarily located in ZIP code 49684, which encompasses the central business district and popular attractions along the bay.

Which ZIP codes serve the Traverse City area schools including Traverse City Central High School and Traverse City West High School?

The Traverse City Public Schools are distributed across ZIP codes 49684 and 49685, with Central High School located in 49684 and West High School serving students in the 49685 area.