Benton Harbor city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Benton Harbor city is a small city located in Michigan, within Berrien County. The total population is 9,023. It ranks as the 111th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in Benton Harbor city is 33.2 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. With 28.3% of the population under 18, Benton Harbor city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Benton Harbor city is $29,652. This is 58% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 62% lower. The poverty rate stands at 41.9%. This is 221% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 20.8%. This is 257% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $75,500. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Benton Harbor city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 36.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 50% lower than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Benton Harbor city is Black or African American, making up 80.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 9.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (9.3%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (80.2% vs 13.2%).

Education

7.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 75% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Benton Harbor city, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. For official data, visit data.census.gov.