Traverse City, Michigan

Traverse City, Michigan
City of Traverse City
Downtown Traverse City
Downtown Traverse City
Grand Traverse County Courthouse
Grand Traverse County Courthouse
Flag of Traverse City, Michigan
Official seal of Traverse City, Michigan
Etymology: French: la grande traverse (the long crossing)
Nickname(s): 
"Traverse", "T.C.", "The Cherry Capital (of the World)", "Cherryland", "Queen City of the North", "Coast Guard City", "Hockeytown North"
Map
Map
Map
Map
Coordinates: 44°46′05″N 85°37′20″W / 44.76806°N 85.62222°W / 44.76806; -85.62222
Country United States
State Michigan
Counties Grand Traverse
Leelanau
SettledJune 13, 1847 (1847-06-13)
IncorporatedApril 18, 1881 (village)
May 18, 1895 (city)
Founded byPerry Hannah, Albert Lay, Horace Boardman
Government
 • TypeCouncil–manager
 • MayorAmy Shamroe (D)[1]
 • City managerLiz Vogel
Area
 • City8.61 sq mi (22.30 km2)
 • Land8.28 sq mi (21.43 km2)
 • Water0.34 sq mi (0.87 km2)
Elevation
626 ft (191 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City15,678
 • Density1,894.39/sq mi (731.43/km2)
 • Metro
153,448 (Traverse City metropolitan area)
Demonym"Traverse Citian(s)"[3]
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
49684, 49685, 49686, 49696
Area code231
FIPS code26-80340
GNIS feature ID1615042[4]
Websitewww.traversecitymi.gov

Traverse City (/ˈtrævərs/ TRAV-ərs) is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Grand Traverse County,[5] although a small portion extends into Leelanau County. It is the largest city in the 21-county Northern Michigan region. The population was 15,678 at the 2020 census, with 153,448 in the four-county Traverse City metropolitan area. Traverse City is also the second-largest city in Michigan north of the Tri-Cities, behind Marquette.

Traverse City is located at the head of the East and West arms of Grand Traverse Bay, a 32-mile-long (51 km) bay of Lake Michigan. Grand Traverse Bay is divided into arms by the 17-mile-long (27 km) Old Mission Peninsula, which is attached at its base to Traverse City. The city borders four townships–East Bay, Elmwood, Garfield, and Peninsula–all of which contain substantial suburban sprawl.

Traverse City is nicknamed "the Cherry Capital of the World", as the area surrounding Grand Traverse Bay is a hotspot for cherry production.[6][7] The city hosts the National Cherry Festival, attracting approximately 500,000 visitors annually.[8] The Traverse City area is also well known for its wine production,[9] and has two American Viticultural Areas located adjacent to the city. Traverse City is home to the Traverse City State Hospital, a former state psychiatric institution. The city is also home to Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City.[10][11]

  1. ^ Krause, Sheldon; Wheaton, Zachariah (November 7, 2023). "Amy Shamroe wins Traverse City mayoral race; all proposals approved". 9&10 News. Cadillac, Michigan: WWTV-TV. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  3. ^ "MyNorth.com". August 9, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  4. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  6. ^ "Traverse City- Cherry Capital". Michigan History. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  7. ^ "It's all about the cherries..." www.traversecity.com. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  8. ^ "National Cherry Festival". Local Legacies: Celebrating Community Roots. Library of Congress. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  9. ^ Brooker, Jena (May 12, 2021). "Rising temperatures could make Michigan the next great wine hub". Grist. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  10. ^ "History – The Village TC". Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  11. ^ "Air Station Traverse City, Michigan". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved March 18, 2024.