South Haven, MI

Michigan

South Haven is a small town in Michigan with a population of 3,994. Residents earn $64,338 per year, which is 14% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
3,994 Population 1,154/sq mi density
$64,338 Median Income $44,638 per capita
$372,200 Home Value $359,203 Zillow
$718 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
640 Violent Crime/100K 6,286 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$64,338 median income, 2.3% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.4 / 5.0
$372,200 home value, $718/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
640 violent crimes/100K (68% above avg)
A
Education
4.4 / 5.0
42.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $64,338
14% lower than US avg
Home Value $372,200
32% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 640/100K
68% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 42.1%
25% higher than US avg
Median Rent $718
38% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.5%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.7%
2% higher than US avg

How South Haven Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population3,994
Median Age59.5 yrs
Density1,154/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 79%

Economy

B+
Median Income$64,338
Per Capita$44,638
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty12.7%
County GDP$6,699M
Commute17 min

Housing

B
Home Value$372,200
Rent$718
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$359,203

Crime

F
Violent640/100K
Property6,286/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault343/100K
Burglary731/100K

Health

Obesity39.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.8%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain37.2 in/yr
Elevation620 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+42.1%
High School+93.7%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 36%
Commute17 min
EV Stations6
Libraries11

Is South Haven a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, South Haven receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high obesity rates. South Haven offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in South Haven is $64,338, 14% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. 12.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in South Haven is $372,200, 32% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $718 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.8x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 640 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,286 per 100,000, 221% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 42.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 93.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

South Haven experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

South Haven has a population of 3,994 with a density of 1,154 people per square mile. The median age is 59.5 years, 53% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (78.6%), with 1.7% Hispanic, 10.2% Black.

Population

3,994
Total Population
1,154
People / sq mi
59.5yrs
Median Age
53% above US avg
3.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47%
Female 53%

Race & Ethnicity

South Haven vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.7%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.3%
60% below US avg

Social Characteristics

South Haven vs U.S. Average

The median household income in South Haven is $64,338, which is 14% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: South Haven vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$64,338
14% below US avg
Per Capita Income$44,638
Avg Weekly Wage$1,158
IRS Avg AGI$77,443

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.7%
2% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,678
County GDP$6,699M

Business (County)

Restaurants218
Healthcare200
Retail338
Manufacturing226

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,953
99% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.87%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.8 min
Work from Home19.1%

Walkability

The median home value in South Haven is $372,200, 32% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $718 (38% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $359,203.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$372,200
32% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$359,203

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$718
38% 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-Occupied72.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,953
99% above US avg
Effective Rate1.87%
In South Haven, 39.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.8% report depression. 25.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: South Haven vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.5%
23% above US avg
Diabetes10.7%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure33.2%
Asthma12.4%
COPD7.4%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.3%
Physical Inactivity25.2%
Depression28.8%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress13.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.3%
Checkup Rate79.1%
Premature Death6,999/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access58.4%
Healthcare Facilities200
South Haven has a violent crime rate of 640 per 100,000 residents, 68% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,286 per 100,000 (221% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: South Haven vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent640.0/100K
68% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape251.4/100K
Robbery45.7/100K
Assault342.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,285.7/100K
221% above US avg
Burglary731.4/100K
Theft5,280.0/100K
Vehicle Theft274.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)22

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
South Haven has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.8°F
6% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.2 inches
2% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation620 ft (189 m)
Area3.5 sq mi (9.0 km²)
Population Density1,154/sq mi
Coordinates42.4013°N, 86.2684°W
County FIPS26005
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 42.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (25% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 27.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.9%
D 35.7%

Winner: Republican by 27.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+42.1%
25% above US avg
High School+93.7%
School Test Score5.23
A Education Grade (4.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,154/sq mi
Total Area3.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities200
Restaurants218
Retail Stores338

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)22
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.8 min
Work from Home19.1%

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