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CITY · 2020 ACS

Benton Harbor

Michigan · 9,103 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 $21,947. Population has fallen 19% since 2000, a loss of 2,079 residents. 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $59,000. At a median age of 31.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 63% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 31.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
9,103
−19%since 2000
from 11,182 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,078 / sq mi
−19%since 2000
from 2,552 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
31.8
+25%since 2000
from 25.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
9K10K11K12K13K1990201020202024Benton Harbor
20249K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$21,947
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $17,471 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,629
+74%since 2000
from $8,965 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
9.3%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
44.9%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 42.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade21.9%
US avg: 10%
Information12.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance4.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade3.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$59,000
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$661
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $445 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
33.4%
−4.6 ptssince 2000
from 38.0% in 2000
66.6% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+21%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic7.5%(679)
Black83.1%(7,569)
Hispanic / Latino5.1%(467)
Asian0.1%(13)
Other1.6%(147)
Diversity Score33%(3,001)
Diversity Score
33
+125%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.4%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
76.9%
+16.4 ptssince 2000
from 60.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 2.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.6 min
+43%since 2000
from 11.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
75.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 75.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
28.8%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 26.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
19.0%
−10.8 ptssince 2011
from 29.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.2%
+8.4 ptssince 2011
from 52.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
18.1%
−52.6 ptssince 2009
from 70.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
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
1.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.9%
−75.7 ptssince 2013
from 83.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare Benton Harbor to nearby cities

BENTON HARBOR VS
Niles
Income$51,376+134%
Home value$135,100+129%
Population11,665+33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BENTON HARBOR VS
Granger
Income$123,318+462%
Home value$331,100+461%
Population30,321+244%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BENTON HARBOR VS
South Bend
Income$55,786+154%
Home value$140,400+138%
Population103,201+1072%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BENTON HARBOR VS
Mishawaka
Income$54,291+147%
Home value$155,500+164%
Population51,226+482%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Benton Harbor, Michigan?

Benton Harbor, Michigan has about 9,103 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Benton Harbor, Michigan earns about $21,947 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 $59,000, and the typical rent is about $661 a month.

How educated are people in Benton Harbor, Michigan?

About 7.4% 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 44.9% 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 3,715 residents, a change of about -29 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 →

Benton Harbor, Michigan (2020): demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy