South Haven city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

South Haven city is a small community located in Michigan, within Van Buren County. The total population is 3,994. It ranks as the 209th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.

Age Demographics

The median age in South Haven city is 59.5 years. This is 48% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. 18.9% 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 South Haven city is $64,338. This is 10% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 18% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.4%. This is 57% 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 4.5%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $372,200. Housing costs are 71% higher than the state median of $217,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 72.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in South Haven city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.2%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

42.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% higher 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 93.7%. Notably, 19.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for South Haven 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.