Benton Harbor, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Benton Harbor, Michigan had a total population of 8,953, the 113th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $31,117, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 40.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (40.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 21.6% is notably above the national average.
Benton Harbor Quick Facts
How Benton Harbor Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,023 | 8,953 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $29,652 | $31,117 | +4.9% |
| Median home value | $75,500 | $76,500 | +1.3% |
How Benton Harbor Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Benton Harbor Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Berrien County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niles | 11,803 | $51,376 | 17.8% | $135,100 |
| St. Joseph | 7,986 | $84,057 | 7.3% | $299,000 |
| Fair Plain | 7,330 | $52,817 | 26.6% | $169,400 |
| Buchanan | 4,223 | $56,163 | 7.1% | $154,300 |
| Paw Paw Lake | 3,889 | $67,674 | 17.8% | $191,700 |
| Benton Heights | 3,078 | $33,542 | 39.5% | $97,700 |
| Watervliet | 2,156 | $61,167 | 15.9% | $137,500 |
| Bridgman | 2,077 | $66,603 | 14.5% | $238,400 |
| Berrien Springs | 2,018 | $65,134 | 13.4% | $159,900 |
| Three Oaks | 1,503 | $66,985 | 9.1% | $215,700 |
Cities Similar to Benton Harbor
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Park | 8,628 | $29,309 | $79,200 | 17.3% | 40.9% |
| Ecorse | 9,064 | $40,241 | $65,400 | 8.4% | 29.4% |
| Beecher | 8,412 | $37,515 | $51,500 | 5.2% | 31.3% |
| Muskegon Heights | 9,841 | $35,239 | $68,000 | 8.6% | 34.1% |
| Houghton | 8,474 | $43,456 | $254,500 | 68.6% | 40.1% |
Population Overview
Benton Harbor is a small city located in Michigan, within Berrien County. The total population is 8,953. It ranks as the 113th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Benton Harbor is 32.8 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 30.8% of the population under 18, Benton Harbor has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Benton Harbor is $31,117. This is 57% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 61% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 40.1%. This is 204% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 21.6%. This is 279% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $76,500. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Benton Harbor is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 36.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 50% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Benton Harbor is Black or African American, making up 81.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 8.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.3%) is well below the state average of 72.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (81.5% vs 13.1%).
Education
7.4% 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 77% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Benton Harbor, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Benton Harbor, Michigan?
Benton Harbor, Michigan has a population of 8,953 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Benton Harbor, MI?
The median household income in Benton Harbor is $31,117, which is 61% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Benton Harbor, MI?
The poverty rate in Benton Harbor is 40.1%. This means approximately 3,553 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Benton Harbor, Michigan?
Benton Harbor's population is 8.3% White, 81.5% Black, 5.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Benton Harbor, MI?
The median home value in Benton Harbor is $76,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Benton Harbor, Michigan?
7.4% of adults (25+) in Benton Harbor hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.