Benton Heights, MI

Michigan

Benton Heights is a small town in Michigan with a population of 3,572. Residents earn $33,871 per year, which is 55% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
3,572 Population 925/sq mi density
$33,871 Median Income $17,217 per capita
$87,500 Home Value
$546 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$33,871 median income, 3.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$87,500 home value, $546/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $33,871
55% lower than US avg
Home Value $87,500
69% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.4%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $546
53% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 53.2%
66% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 32.8%
165% higher than US avg

How Benton Heights Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population3,572
Median Age30.6 yrs
Density925/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 20%

Economy

C
Median Income$33,871
Per Capita$17,217
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty32.8%
County GDP$3,313M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$87,500
Rent$546
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity53.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.2%
Heart Disease9.8%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain38.2 in/yr
Elevation648 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.4%
High School+77.3%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute15 min
Libraries11

Is Benton Heights a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Benton Heights receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Benton Heights offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Benton Heights is $33,871, 55% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 32.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Benton Heights is $87,500, 69% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $546 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Benton Heights experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.2 inches, including 77.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Benton Heights has a population of 3,572 with a density of 925 people per square mile. The median age is 30.6 years, 21% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (51.7%), with 19.9% White, 12.2% Hispanic.

Population

3,572
Total Population
925
People / sq mi
30.6yrs
Median Age
21% below US avg
3.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.3%
Female 49.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Benton Heights vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only79.3%
1% above US avg
Spanish20.7%
54% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Benton Heights vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Benton Heights is $33,871, which is 55% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 32.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Benton Heights vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$33,871
55% below US avg
Per Capita Income$17,217
Avg Weekly Wage$986
IRS Avg AGI$64,208

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate32.8%
165% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,643
County GDP$3,313M

Business (County)

Restaurants164
Healthcare123
Retail254
Manufacturing94

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,255
79% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate7.15%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.7 min
Work from Home4.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Benton Heights is $87,500, 69% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $546 (53% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$87,500
69% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$546
53% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$807
1 Bedroom$891
2 Bedrooms$1,113
3 Bedrooms$1,419
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied47.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,255
79% above US avg
Effective Rate7.15%
In Benton Heights, 53.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.2% report depression. 46.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Benton Heights vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity53.2%
66% above US avg
Diabetes21.3%
Heart Disease9.8%
High Blood Pressure47.8%
Asthma15.0%
COPD15.1%
Stroke6.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking11.9%
Physical Inactivity46.5%
Depression27.2%
Mental Distress24.7%
Physical Distress22.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.1%
Checkup Rate78.8%
Premature Death9,267/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access59.9%
Healthcare Facilities123

Crime Rates: Benton Heights vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Benton Heights has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.2 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall77.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation648 ft (198 m)
Area3.9 sq mi (10.0 km²)
Population Density925/sq mi
Coordinates42.1222°N, 86.4151°W
County FIPS26159
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.9%
D 41.7%

Winner: Republican by 15.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.4%
66% below US avg
High School+77.3%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density925/sq mi
Total Area3.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities123
Restaurants164
Retail Stores254

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.7 min
Work from Home4.9%

Nearby Cities

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