Benton Heights, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Benton Heights, Michigan had a total population of 3,078, the 232nd largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $33,542, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 39.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (39.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Benton Heights Quick Facts
How Benton Heights 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 | 3,572 | 3,078 | -13.8% |
| Median household income | $33,871 | $33,542 | -1.0% |
| Median home value | $87,500 | $97,700 | +11.7% |
How Benton Heights 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Benton Heights 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 |
| Benton Harbor | 8,953 | $31,117 | 40.1% | $76,500 |
| 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 |
| 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 Heights
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skidway Lake | 3,008 | $39,265 | $59,100 | 7.5% | 37.9% |
| Gladwin | 3,098 | $43,005 | $126,900 | 14.6% | 17.4% |
| Manistique | 2,863 | $38,446 | $93,300 | 17.9% | 18.4% |
| Bad Axe | 2,992 | $44,688 | $125,200 | 22.1% | 20.2% |
| Corunna | 3,037 | $46,141 | $151,000 | 14.2% | 14.8% |
Population Overview
Benton Heights is a small community located in Michigan, within Berrien County. The total population is 3,078. It ranks as the 232nd most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Benton Heights is 30.9 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Benton Heights is $33,542. This is 54% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 58% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 39.5%. This is 199% 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 5.1%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $97,700. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Benton Heights is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Benton Heights is Black or African American, making up 50.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 24.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (24.0%) is well below the state average of 72.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (50.8% vs 13.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.8% vs 5.9%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
13.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 79.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Benton Heights, 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 Heights, Michigan?
Benton Heights, Michigan has a population of 3,078 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Benton Heights, MI?
The median household income in Benton Heights is $33,542, which is 58% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Benton Heights, MI?
The poverty rate in Benton Heights is 39.5%. This means approximately 1,196 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Benton Heights, Michigan?
Benton Heights's population is 24.0% White, 50.8% Black, 18.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Benton Heights, MI?
The median home value in Benton Heights is $97,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Benton Heights, Michigan?
13.9% of adults (25+) in Benton Heights hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.