1st Advantage MortgageThe median Traverse County household earns $62,989, and 11% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Who lives in Traverse County
- What Traverse County households earn
- Jobs and commutes in Traverse County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Traverse County
- Traverse County and the counties next door
- Towns and communities in Traverse County
- Debt-to-income at Traverse County's medians
- More Traverse County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Traverse County
- Who licenses lenders for Traverse County residents
- Steps before you apply in Traverse County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Traverse County
Traverse County is home to about 3,243 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 87th most populous of 87 county-level areas in Minnesota. Land area is 574 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 6 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Traverse County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 4 Census places inside Traverse County, Wheaton leads by population with about 1,389; 4 of the 4 are incorporated. Because Traverse County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
What Traverse County households earn
Half of Traverse County households take in less than $62,989 a year and half take in more, 29% below the Minnesota median of $89,062. Only 81 Minnesota counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Traverse County | Difference from Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.4% | +13.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.1% | +2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | -9.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.9% | -5.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 29% of Traverse County households make $100,000 or more, and 30% make less than $35,000. 11.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.3%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.462 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Traverse County median.
Jobs and commutes in Traverse County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Traverse County residents work in education and health care and 19% in agriculture, forestry and mining. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 19% locally and 2% for Minnesota. The survey's unemployment rate for Traverse County averages 4.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.1%). Long commutes are the exception here: 7% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Traverse County share | +/- vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.0% | -4.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 18.7% | +16.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.6% | +0.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.5% | -4.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.2% | -2.4 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.3% | -0.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Rent, home values and ownership in Traverse County
Renters in Traverse County pay a median of $615 a month, 52% below the Minnesota figure of $1,280. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 65% of renter households here. With a median value of $114,100, a typical Traverse County house costs 1.8 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 82% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1962.
| Home costs | Traverse County | Minnesota | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $615/mo | $1,280/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $114,100 | $329,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 65% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.2% | 2.9% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Traverse County and the counties next door
Distances run center to center, from Big Stone County at 24 miles out to Wilkin County at 41. Stevens County leads the group on income ($75,733), Roberts County trails ($65,130), and Traverse County out-earns 0 of the six. Some neighbors are in North Dakota and South Dakota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Traverse County resident follows Minnesota rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse County | - | $62,989 | $615/mo | 82% |
| Big Stone County, MN | 24 mi | $70,400 | $745/mo | 80% |
| Grant County, MN | 25 mi | $73,917 | $797/mo | 79% |
| Roberts County, SD | 25 mi | $65,130 | $658/mo | 71% |
| Stevens County, MN | 26 mi | $75,733 | $951/mo | 63% |
| Richland County, ND | 41 mi | $75,432 | $740/mo | 68% |
| Wilkin County, MN | 41 mi | $71,410 | $564/mo | 80% |
Towns and communities in Traverse County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Traverse County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 1,954 residents, leaving about 40% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheaton | city | 1,389 | $45,781 | $609 | 3 mi |
| Browns Valley | city | 382 | $49,250 | n/a | 21 mi |
| Dumont | city | 140 | $132,708 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Tintah | city | 43 | $36,607 | n/a | 18 mi |
Debt-to-income at Traverse County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Traverse County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Traverse County: $5,249
- Rent at the median, $615, takes 12% of that
- Under a 43% cap, $2,257 total minus rent leaves $1,642
If your rent is above $615, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
More Traverse County figures
17% of Traverse County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 1.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Traverse County | Minnesota | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.1 | 38.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.6% | 39.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.7% | 6.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 1.9% | 4.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.8% | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 16.8% | 17.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.3% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 56.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.8% |
| 60+ min | 4.0% |
Local borrowing considerations for Traverse County
What the Traverse County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Retirees. At a median age of 46.1, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Renters under pressure. When 65% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Who licenses lenders for Traverse County residents
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is the place to verify any lender's Minnesota license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Minnesota: Minnesota personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Traverse County
Steps that save money for Traverse County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Minnesota borrowers.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Minnesota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Traverse County earn?
The median is $62,989; 29% earn $100,000 or more and 30% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Traverse County?
$615 a month at the median, about 12% of median household income.
Should Traverse County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 82% of Traverse County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Traverse County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Wheaton, Browns Valley, Dumont, Tintah.
Does living in Traverse County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Traverse County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.