United States › Michigan › Benton Harbor CITY · 1990 CENSUS
Benton Harbor Michigan · 12,818 residents · 4.38 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO 2000 Census 2009 ACS 2010 ACS 2011 ACS 2012 ACS 2013 ACS 2014 ACS 2015 ACS 2016 ACS 2017 ACS 2018 ACS 2019 ACS 2020 ACS 2021 ACS 2022 ACS 2023 ACS 2024 ACS
The short version
Benton Harbor is home to 12,818 people in Michigan. 58.0% of residents live below the federal poverty line. The median age is 22.8, younger than the US median of 33.0. Owners hold 37% of the housing stock. That trails the Michigan median by roughly 71%. 3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, below the 20% national rate.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Younger
median age 22.8
US median: 33.0
Less educated
3% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01
Population & growth vs 25.4 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
9K 10K 11K 12K 13K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 Benton Harbor Age distribution, 1990
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02
Income & economy $8,866
−33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $17,471 in 2000
US average: $30,130
vs $8,965 in 2000
US average: $14,340
vs 42.6% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
$19,400
−34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $38,700 in 2000
US average: $93,722
$333
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $445 in 2000
US average: $450
vs 38.0% in 2000
63.1% rent
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 2000
White, non-Hispanic 5.4%(600)
Hispanic / Latino 0.6%(65)
1990
White, non-Hispanic 7.2%(924)
Hispanic / Latino 0.6%(83)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.
Ancestry
+ 6 more ancestry groups with data vs 4.2% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
vs 60.5% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
vs 2.2% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06
Commute & transportation vs 11.7 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07
Work & employment No data for the years selected.
Section 08
People & community No data for the years selected.
Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married 55.1%(1,638)
Women 15+
Never married 57.5%(2,159)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Section 09
Health coverage Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).
from 16.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
from 22.3% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
from 9.2% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
from 23.2% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
from 60.9% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
from 1.6% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
from 30.0% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
from 71.4% in 2020
US average: 36.7%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later) 10.3%(30)
Gulf War (1990s) 44.5%(130)
Share of the 292 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
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Frequently asked
How many people live in Benton Harbor, Michigan? Benton Harbor, Michigan has about 12,818 residents according to the 1990 Census.
What is the median household income in Benton Harbor, Michigan? The typical household in Benton Harbor, Michigan earns about $8,866 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Benton Harbor, Michigan expensive? In Benton Harbor, Michigan, the median home is worth about $19,400, and the typical rent is about $333 a month.
How educated are people in Benton Harbor, Michigan? About 3.3% of adults age 25 and over in Benton Harbor, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Benton Harbor, Michigan? About 58.0% of people in Benton Harbor, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.
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