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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Benton Harbor

Michigan · 12,818 residents · 4.381 sq mi
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The short version

Benton Harbor has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $8,866. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $19,400. At a median age of 22.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 71% less than the Michigan median.

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

12,818
+15%vs 2000
vs 11,182 in 2000
1990 – 2025
2,926 / sq mi
+15%vs 2000
vs 2,552 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
22.8
−10%vs 2000
vs 25.4 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 19902024
9K10K11K12K13K1990201020202024Benton Harbor
20249K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$8,866
−33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $17,471 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
$5,622
−37%vs 2000
vs $8,965 in 2000
US average: $14,340
58.0%
+15.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 42.6% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

$19,400
−34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $38,700 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
$333
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $445 in 2000
US average: $450
36.9%
−1.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 38.0% in 2000
63.1% rent
2.2
−1%vs 2000
vs 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Benton Harbor on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic5.4%(600)
Black92.1%(10,303)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(65)
Asian0.1%(15)
Other0%
Diversity Score14.6%(1,635)
1990
White, non-Hispanic7.2%(924)
Black92.4%(11,838)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(83)
Asian0.1%(7)
Other0.4%(49)
Diversity Score19.1%(2,449)
19
+31%vs 2000
vs 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

3.3%
−0.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 4.2% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
47.4%
−13.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 60.5% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
1.1%
−1.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 2.2% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

13.3 min
+14%vs 2000
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.

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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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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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