Benton Harbor Public RecordsMichigan

Benton Harbor, Berrien County, MI, has a transportation system dominated by personal vehicles, with 76% of residents commuting alone by car, 11% carpooling, and only 0.5% using public transit (primarily Twin Cities Area Transportation Authority buses). The average commute time is 19 minutes—below the national average. About 17% of households lack vehicle access, significantly higher than the Michigan average. The city’s infrastructure includes major roads like I-94 and US-31, with employment centered around Whirlpool Corporation headquarters, healthcare, and retail sectors. Walking and biking are limited due to infrastructure gaps.

Benton Harbor, located in Berrien County, Michigan, has a 2020 population of approximately 8,900. The median age is about 31 years. Females make up 54% and males 46% of residents. The city is predominantly African American (85%), with Whites at 8%, and Hispanics or Latinos around 4%. Other races and multiracial individuals compose the rest of the population.

Benton Harbor, MI, is primarily served by Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in nearby St. Joseph, alongside small clinics like InterCare Community Health Network. The city’s 2020 population was 9,103, predominantly African American (~84%), with a median household income under $22,000. Around 12.7% of residents under 65 are uninsured (US Census, 2021). Healthcare access is challenged by high poverty rates; common health issues include diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. Provider-to-population ratios lag national averages, with Berrien County reporting around 1 primary care physician per 1,740 residents. Local clinics offer sliding-scale fees to mitigate insurance gaps.

Benton Harbor, Berrien County, MI, has a homeownership rate of around 35%, with about 65% of residents renting. The median home value is approximately $60,000, substantially below the national average, while median gross rent is about $800 per month. Housing stock primarily consists of single-family homes and small multi-family units. Popular neighborhoods include Fairplain and the downtown area. Property values have seen modest growth of about 6% annually in recent years. Property tax rates average around 2.1%, contributing to affordable housing costs compared to state and national levels.

Benton Harbor, located in Berrien County, MI, has 14 public schools, including Benton Harbor High School. The high school graduation rate is about 66%, and only 7% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. SchoolDigger rates local schools below average, with average scores of 2/10. The city has adult education programs like the Adult Education Learning Center. School safety is a concern, with increased security initiatives in recent years. Programs in STEM, arts, and vocational education are available to support student engagement and educational attainment.