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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Benton Harbor

Michigan · 11,182 residents · 4.38 sq mi
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The short version

Benton Harbor is home to 11,182 people in Michigan. 42.6% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Owners hold 38% of the housing stock. The median age is 25.4, younger than the US median of 35.2. That trails the Michigan median by roughly 61%. 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, below the 24% national rate.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 25.4
US median: 35.2
Less educated
4% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 51%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

11,182
−13%since 1990
from 12,818 in 1990
1990 – 2025
25.4
+11%since 1990
from 22.8 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Land area
4.38 sq mi
Population, 19902024
9K10K11K12K13K19902000201020202024Benton Harbor
20249K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2000
Under 510.4%(1,162)
US avg: 6.8%
5 to 912%(1,345)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 1411.3%(1,259)
US avg: 7.3%
15 to 199.2%(1,025)
US avg: 7.2%
20 to 246.5%(732)
US avg: 6.7%
25 to 3413%(1,456)
US avg: 14.2%
35 to 4412.9%(1,441)
US avg: 16%
45 to 5410.2%(1,143)
US avg: 13.4%
55 to 646.3%(701)
US avg: 8.6%
65 to 745.1%(573)
US avg: 6.5%
75 to 842.4%(265)
US avg: 4.4%
85 and over0.7%(80)
US avg: 1.5%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

$17,471
+50%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $8,866 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$8,965
+59%since 1990
from $5,622 in 1990
US average: $21,522
42.6%
−15.4 ptssince 1990
from 58.0% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$38,700
+51%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $19,400 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$445
+1%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $333 in 1990
US average: $602
38.0%
+1.2 ptssince 1990
from 36.9% in 1990
62.0% rent
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic7.2%(924)
Black92.4%(11,838)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(83)
Asian0.1%(7)
2000
White, non-Hispanic5.4%(600)
Black92.1%(10,303)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(65)
Asian0.1%(15)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Hispanic origin
Mexican5.7%(509)
Ancestry
Subsaharan African15.5%(1,392)
German2.7%(245)
American2.2%(195)
English1.9%(173)
Slovak1.2%(106)
Irish1%(89)
Finnish1%(88)
Dutch0.4%(33)
Italian0.3%(28)
Austrian0.2%(14)
Polish0.1%(13)
+ 6 more ancestry groups with data
Belgian0.1%(11)
Swedish0.1%(11)
Nigerian0.1%(6)
Welsh0.1%(6)
French0%(1)
Section 05

Education

4.2%
+0.9 ptssince 1990
from 3.3% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
60.5%
+13.1 ptssince 1990
from 47.4% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
2.2%
+1.1 ptssince 1990
from 1.1% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

11.7 min
−12%since 1990
from 13.3 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Marital status
Men 15+
Never married49.9%(1,603)
Married36.9%(1,184)
Widowed3.3%(107)
Divorced9.9%(317)
Women 15+
Never married47.6%(2,035)
Married29.6%(1,265)
Widowed8.9%(380)
Divorced14%(597)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Section 09

Health coverage

Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).

6.6%
−9.8 ptssince 2013
from 16.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
23.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2020
from 22.3% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
7.3%
−1.9 ptssince 2020
from 9.2% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
14.1%
−9.1 ptssince 2020
from 23.2% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
65.4%
+4.5 ptssince 2020
from 60.9% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
0.8%
−0.8 ptssince 2020
from 1.6% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
28.8%
−1.2 ptssince 2020
from 30.0% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
72.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2020
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)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)44.5%(130)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era4.1%(12)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War0%(0)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%

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 11,182 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Benton Harbor, Michigan?

The typical household in Benton Harbor, Michigan earns about $17,471 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 $38,700, and the typical rent is about $445 a month.

How educated are people in Benton Harbor, Michigan?

About 4.2% 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 42.6% of people in Benton Harbor, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Benton Harbor, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Benton Harbor, Michigan has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,636 residents, a change of about -13 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →