Benton Harbor, MI

Full City Profile · Michigan · Van Buren County County

2.2 /5.0
C Fair
9,023 Population 2,055/sq mi density
$29,652 Median Income $19,108 per capita
$75,500 Home Value $160,358 Zillow
$775 Median Rent 40.3% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
1,851 Violent Crime/100K 5,600 property/100K
C
Overall
2.2 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Economy
1.2 / 5.0
$29,652 median income, 20.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$75,500 home value, $775/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,851 violent crimes/100K (387% above avg)
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.8% bachelor's degree or higher

Benton Harbor, MI

At a Glance

Median Income
$29,652
61% below
$19,108 per capita
Home Value
$75,500
73% below
Zillow: $160,358
Median Rent
$775/mo
33% below
40.3% of income on rent
Violent Crime
1,851/100K
387% above
5,600/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
7.8%
77% below
80.7% high school+
Unemployment
20.8%
478% above
42.3% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
56.0%
74% above
27.9% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
50°F

How Benton Harbor Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Benton Harbor's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
39%
Home Value
27%
Rent
67%
Poverty
341%
Bachelor's
23%
Unemployment
578%
Crime
487%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Benton Harbor a Good Place to Live?

C
2.2 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Benton Harbor residents earn a median household income of $29,652 , which is 61% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $19,108. The unemployment rate stands at 20.8% (478% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 42.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,643 business establishments, including 164 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Benton Harbor is $75,500 , 73% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $160,358. Median rent is $775/month, with 40.3% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 96.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1959.

Safety & Crime

Benton Harbor reports 1,851 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 387% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 5,600/100K.

Education

7.8% of adults in Benton Harbor hold a bachelor's degree or higher (77% below the national average). 80.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.3/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Benton Harbor has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.0 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population9,023
Median Age33.2 yrs
Density2,055/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Foreign Born1.1%
Veterans3.2%

Economy

F
Median Income$29,652
Per Capita$19,108
Unemployment20.8%
Poverty42.3%
County GDP$3,313M
Avg Weekly Wage$986

Housing

A+
Home Value$75,500
Rent$775
Ownership36.5%
Zillow$160,358
Housing Units4,517
Rent Burden40.3%

Crime

F
Violent1,851/100K
Property5,600/100K

Health

Obesity56.0%
Diabetes22.6%
Smoking27.9%
Heart Disease9.3%
Premature Death9,267/100K

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
Rain35.0 in/yr
Elevation622 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.8%
High School+80.7%
Graduate+2.8%
School Score5.3/10

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute18 min
Broadband77.1%
Internet Speed99 Mbps
EV Stations5
Libraries11

Did You Know?

The median home in Benton Harbor was built in 1959.
The nearest airport is Southwest Michigan Regional (2 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.429 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
15.4% of the population has a disability.
There are 164 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 10 fatal vehicle crashes.