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CITY · 2010 ACS

Benton Harbor

Michigan · 10,038 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 $17,301. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $61,400. At a median age of 28.3, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 64% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 28.3
US median: 37.2
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 25%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
10,038
−10%since 2000
from 11,182 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,291 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 2,552 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
28.3
+11%since 2000
from 25.4 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
9K10K11K12K13K1990201020202024Benton Harbor
20249K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$17,301
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $17,471 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$9,529
+6%since 2000
from $8,965 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
4.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
48.7%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 42.6% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.456
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade18.5%
US avg: 10.9%
Information13.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Other services1.7%
US avg: 7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2.4%
Wholesale trade1.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Public administration0.5%
US avg: 4.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 3.1%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$61,400
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,700 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$512
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $445 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
20.2%
−17.8 ptssince 2000
from 38.0% in 2000
66.5% rent
Vacancy rate
21.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 20.8% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
34.9%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 32.8% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
67.5%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 64.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.5
+60%since 2000
from 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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic6.4%(641)
Black88.7%(8,899)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(220)
Asian0.1%(6)
Other2.2%(217)
Diversity Score25%(2,514)
Diversity Score
25
+71%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
6.5%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
70.6%
+10.1 ptssince 2000
from 60.5% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
3.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 2.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.2 min
+22%since 2000
from 11.7 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
76.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 75.5% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
15.9%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
2.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.3%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
2.1%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
28.3%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 26.2% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
13.2%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
13.0%
−57.8 ptssince 2009
from 70.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.2%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 43.8% in 2009
Female
53.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
6.6%
−34.3 ptssince 2009
from 41.0% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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Head to head

Compare Benton Harbor to nearby cities

BENTON HARBOR VS
Niles
Income$51,376+197%
Home value$135,100+120%
Population11,665+33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BENTON HARBOR VS
Granger
Income$123,318+613%
Home value$331,100+439%
Population30,321+244%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BENTON HARBOR VS
South Bend
Income$55,786+222%
Home value$140,400+129%
Population103,201+1072%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BENTON HARBOR VS
Mishawaka
Income$54,291+214%
Home value$155,500+153%
Population51,226+482%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Benton Harbor, Michigan?

Benton Harbor, Michigan has about 10,038 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Benton Harbor, Michigan earns about $17,301 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 $61,400, and the typical rent is about $512 a month.

How educated are people in Benton Harbor, Michigan?

About 6.5% 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 48.7% 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 2,780 residents, a change of about -22 percent over that period.

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

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