Benton Harbor is a city located in Berrien County Michigan. Benton Harbor has a 2024 population of 8,803. Benton Harbor is currently declining at a rate of -0.81% annually and its population has decreased by -3.16% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 9,090 in 2020.
The average household income in Benton Harbor is $41,132 with a poverty rate of 44.2%. The median age in Benton Harbor is 33.6 years: 29.6 years for males, and 37.4 years for females.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Benton Harbor was:
Race | Population | Percentage (of total) |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 7,953 | 87.39% |
| White | 837 | 9.2% |
| Two or more races | 259 | 2.85% |
| Other race | 52 | 0.57% |
| Native American | 0 | 0% |
| Asian | 0 | 0% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 0 | 0% |
Black or African American
White
Two or more races
Other race
Native American
Asian
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Household Type | Count | Average Size | Owner | Renter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | 3,867 | 2.32 | 36.9 | 63.1 |
| Female | 1,812 | 2.89 | 23.8 | 76.2 |
| Non Family | 1,335 | 1.14 | 34.5 | 65.5 |
| Married | 526 | 3.11 | 78.9 | 21.1 |
| Male | 194 | 3.04 | 61.3 | 38.7 |
2.78
Average Family Size
2.32
Average Household Size
36.9%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
Male
Female
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 9th to 12th Grade | 826 | 14.67% |
| Associates Degree | 386 | 6.85% |
| Bachelors Degree | 316 | 5.61% |
| Graduate Degree | 157 | 2.79% |
| High School Graduate | 1,921 | 34.11% |
| Less Than 9th Grade | 312 | 5.54% |
| Some College | 1,713 | 30.42% |
Less Than 9th Grade
9th to 12th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Graduate Degree
High School Graduation Rate
Bachelors Rate
Race | Total | High School | Bachelors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 4,793 | 3,757 | 272 |
| White | 566 | 499 | 152 |
| Hispanic | 160 | 125 | 14 |
| 2+ Races | 154 | 143 | 49 |
| Other Race | 20 | 7 | 0 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among 2+ races people with a rate of 92.86%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among 2+ races people with a rate of 31.82%.
All
Male
Female
Name | Average | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelors Degree | $58,015 | $72,098 | $35,250 |
| Graduate Degree | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| High School Graduate | $22,541 | $27,731 | $21,377 |
| Less Than 9th Grade | $0 | $0 | $15,603 |
| Overall | $20,959 | $29,738 | $16,795 |
| Some College | $17,220 | $35,577 | $15,498 |
$20,959
Average Earnings
$29,738
Average Male
$16,795
Average Female
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
95.08% of Benton Harbor residents speak only English, while 4.92% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 4.9% of the population.
rate
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 7,906 | 3,521 | 44.54% |
| White | 658 | 274 | 41.64% |
| Hispanic | 252 | 114 | 45.24% |
| Multiple | 254 | 103 | 40.55% |
| Other | 52 | 47 | 90.38% |
44.2%
Overall Poverty Rate
35.85%
Male Poverty Rate
51.29%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Benton Harbor is Other, with 90.38% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Benton Harbor is Multiple, with 40.55% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 7.15%. Among those working part-time, it was 50.9%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 50.66%.
rate
Rate | Poverty |
|---|---|
| Less Than 9th Grade | 63.4% |
| Some College | 48.18% |
| High School | 27.2% |
| Bachelors or Greater | 7.04% |
rate
Rate | Poverty |
|---|---|
| Female Unemployed | 85% |
| Male Unemployed | 62.45% |
| Female Employed | 34.52% |
| Male Employed | 4.51% |
Households
Families
MarriedFamilies
NonFamilies
Name | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Families | $27,000 | $40,544 |
| Households | $26,592 | $41,132 |
| Married Families | $57,063 | $-999,999,999 |
| Non Families | $20,979 | $37,246 |
mean
median
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
16.9%
Overall Marriage Rate
19.7%
Male Marriage Rate
14.6%
Female Marriage Rate
male
female
The age group where males are most likely to be married is 45-54, while the female age group most likely to be married is 45-54.
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Second Gulf War
First Gulf War
Vietnam
Korea
World War II
268
Number of Veterans
143
Male Veterans
125
Female Veterans
War | Veterans |
|---|---|
| First Gulf War | 127 |
| Vietnam | 33 |
| Second Gulf War | 17 |
| Korea | 15 |
| World War II | 0 |
count
Age Group | Veterans |
|---|---|
| 35 to 54 | 143 |
| 55 to 64 | 72 |
| 75+ | 30 |
| 65 to 74 | 18 |
| 18 to 34 | 5 |
count
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Black | 251 | 4.46% |
| White | 17 | 2.4% |
| Hispanic | 15 | 7.89% |
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
19.03%
Veteran Poverty Rate
13.81%
Veteran Disability Rate
LaborForceParticipation
63.3%
Labor Force Participation
50.5%
Employment Rate
20.2%
Unemployment Rate
LaborForceParticipation
LaborForceParticipation
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
77.45%
Born in Benton Harbor
99.35%
Native Born
0.65%
Foreign Born
0.43%
Non Citizen
0.22%
Naturalized
99.35% of Benton Harbor residents were born in the United States, with 77.45% having been born in Michigan. 0.43% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from North America.
Year | Population | Growth | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2029 | 8,445 | -71 | -0.83% |
| 2028 | 8,516 | -72 | -0.84% |
| 2027 | 8,588 | -72 | -0.83% |
| 2026 | 8,660 | -71 | -0.81% |
| 2025 | 8,731 | -72 | -0.82% |
| 2024 | 8,803 | -72 | -0.81% |
| 2023 | 8,875 | -65 | -0.73% |
| 2022 | 8,940 | -70 | -0.78% |
| 2021 | 9,010 | -80 | -0.88% |
| 2020 | 9,090 | -645 | -6.63% |
| 2019 | 9,735 | -73 | -0.74% |
| 2018 | 9,808 | -51 | -0.52% |
| 2017 | 9,859 | -44 | -0.44% |
| 2016 | 9,903 | -61 | -0.61% |
| 2015 | 9,964 | -63 | -0.63% |
| 2014 | 10,027 | -7 | -0.07% |
| 2013 | 10,034 | -13 | -0.13% |
| 2012 | 10,047 | -11 | -0.11% |
| 2011 | 10,058 | 36 | 0.36% |
| 2010 | 10,022 | 0 | 0% |
| 2000 | 11,182 | -1,636 | -12.76% |
| 1990 | 12,818 | -1,889 | -12.84% |
| 1980 | 14,707 | -1,774 | -10.76% |
| 1970 | 16,481 | -2,655 | -13.87% |
| 1960 | 19,136 | 367 | 1.96% |
| 1950 | 18,769 | 2,101 | 12.6% |
| 1940 | 16,668 | 1,234 | 8% |
| 1930 | 15,434 | 3,201 | 26.17% |
| 1920 | 12,233 | 3,048 | 33.18% |
| 1910 | 9,185 | 2,623 | 39.97% |
| 1900 | 6,562 | 2,870 | 77.74% |
| 1890 | 3,692 | -4,753 | -56.28% |