Harbor Beach, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harbor Beach, Michigan had a total population of 1,582, the 351st largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $40,809, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Harbor Beach Quick Facts
How Harbor Beach 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 | 1,576 | 1,582 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $39,844 | $40,809 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $104,200 | $116,600 | +11.9% |
How Harbor Beach 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+)
Harbor Beach Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Huron County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bad Axe | 2,992 | $44,688 | 20.2% | $125,200 |
| Sebewaing | 1,850 | $48,125 | 13.1% | $98,700 |
| Pigeon | 1,100 | $52,361 | 8.8% | $120,000 |
| Ubly | 785 | $54,886 | 19.0% | $111,700 |
| Elkton | 750 | $48,654 | 23.0% | $92,300 |
| Port Austin | 699 | $60,288 | 20.8% | $159,100 |
| Caseville | 634 | $55,729 | 6.5% | $178,300 |
| Bay Port | 474 | $48,333 | 9.8% | $118,000 |
| Kinde | 414 | $49,886 | 10.7% | $94,800 |
| Port Hope | 268 | $51,563 | 17.2% | $88,700 |
Cities Similar to Harbor Beach
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Au Sable | 1,643 | $42,431 | $113,600 | 10.8% | 13.5% |
| Mio | 1,474 | $40,750 | $90,600 | 18.4% | 25.9% |
| Tawas City | 1,614 | $46,014 | $138,000 | 19.3% | 12.7% |
| Standish | 1,554 | $35,395 | $97,900 | 13.7% | 20.1% |
| Manton | 1,511 | $45,982 | $125,000 | 7.5% | 13.5% |
Population Overview
Harbor Beach is a small community located in Michigan, within Huron County. The total population is 1,582. It ranks as the 351st most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harbor Beach is 46.1 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 15.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harbor Beach is $40,809. This is 44% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $116,600. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Harbor Beach is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Harbor Beach has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
19.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harbor Beach, 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 Harbor Beach, Michigan?
Harbor Beach, Michigan has a population of 1,582 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harbor Beach, MI?
The median household income in Harbor Beach is $40,809, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harbor Beach, MI?
The poverty rate in Harbor Beach is 16.3%. This means approximately 255 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harbor Beach, Michigan?
Harbor Beach's population is 94.3% White, 0.0% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harbor Beach, MI?
The median home value in Harbor Beach is $116,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Harbor Beach, Michigan?
19.4% of adults (25+) in Harbor Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.