Benton Heights, MI — City Data, Demographics & Statistics
Berrien County · Michigan
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for Benton Heights based on 8 key metrics — compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
3,572
2023 ACS
Median Income
$33,871
2023
Median Home Value
$87,500
2023
Median Rent
$546
2023
Median Age
30.6
Unemployment
5.6%
Cost of Living Index
62.1
100 = national avg
Benton Heights is a city in Berrien County, Michigan, with a population of 3,572 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Benton Heights is one of the communities in Michigan.
The median household income in Benton Heights is $33,871, and the median home value is $87,500. The cost of living index is 62.1 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $546 per month. The unemployment rate is 5.6%, and the median age is 30.6 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
3,572
Male
1,797
50.3%
Female
1,775
49.7%
Median Age
30.6
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
6.9%
High School or Higher
29.1%
Foreign Born
8.8%
Veterans
3.9%
Married
23.0%
Avg Household Size
2.4
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.606
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
Black
51.7%
Foreign Born
8.8%
Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.
Hispanic/Latino
24.2%
863 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
75.8%
Hispanic/Latino Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Asian Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)American Indian & Alaska Native Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
3,344
English Only
77.8%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
672 speakers
Limited English
5.7%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
94.3%
Limited English Proficiency
5.7%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
139
3.9% of population
Disability Rate
52.5%
73 with disability
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
120
86.3%
Female Veterans
19
13.7%
Disability Status
With Disability
73
Without Disability
66
Disability Rate
52.5%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
1,229
#1 Ancestry
Sub-Saharan African
15.7% (561)
#2 Ancestry
Italian
5.7% (204)
#3 Ancestry
German
3.0% (107)
Top 14 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
1,450
Family Households
766
52.8%
Married Couples
344
23.7%
Non-Family Households
684
47.2%
Single Mother Households
212
14.6%
Single Father Households
210
14.5%
Living Alone
656
45.2%
Children Under 18
Total Children
1,178
In Married Couple
475
40.3%
With Single Mother
266
22.6%
With Single Father
437
37.1%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$43,449
Married Couple Income
$60,549
Single Mother Income
$26,071
Single Father Income
$42,813
Avg Family Size
2.4
Avg Non-Family Size
2.1
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
5
Grandparents Responsible
0
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$33,871
-54% vs national
Per Capita Income
$17,217
-54% vs national
Poverty Rate
41.3%
+204% vs national
Gini Index
0.4313
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
5.6%
+7% vs national
SNAP Recipients
44.7%
of households
How Benton Heights Compares
Benton Heights vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with under 10,000 residents. Benton Heights is highlighted.
Median Household Income
Benton Heights, MI has a median household income of $33,871, making it the 26,692nd highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Benton Heights has a higher median household income than 5% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
Benton Heights, MI has a per capita income of $17,217, making it the 27,013th highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Benton Heights has a higher per capita income than 4% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
Benton Heights, MI has a poverty rate of 41.3%, making it the 1,292nd highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that Benton Heights has a higher poverty rate than 96% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
Benton Heights, MI has a unemployment rate of 5.6%, making it the 10,195th highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that Benton Heights has a higher unemployment rate than 67% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Benton Heights. The median household income here is $33,871.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
-1% vs MI avg
Labor Force
1,439
Employed
1,359
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
6.9%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
29.1%
of adults 25+
Median Age
30.6
Work from Home
4.9%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the Niles, MI metro area
Highest-Paying Job
Mechanical Engineers
Top Median Wage
$102.9K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
62.1
100 = national avg
-37.9 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$27,346
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$64,635
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$902
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,184
per month
The median household income in Benton Heights, MI is $33,871, which is 53.7% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $17,217. The poverty rate of 41.3% is higher than the MI state average of 14.1%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4313, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 5.6%, compared to the state average of 5.6%. The labor force is 1,439. 6.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. About 83.3% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 62.1, which is 37.9% below the national average. Housing costs are below the national average at an index of 55.7. A single adult needs to earn approximately $27,346 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotRedfin — January 2026
Median Sale Price
$87,500
Median List Price
$86,400
Price Per Sq Ft
$46
Days on Market
97
Active Inventory
4
Months of Supply
1.0
Seller's market
Market CompetitivenessRedfin
Sold Above List
0.0%
Off Market in 2 Weeks
0.0%
Sale-to-List Ratio
86.2%
Buyer's market
Price TrendsRedfin
Market ActivityRedfin
Homes Sold
4
New Listings
2
Pending Sales
2
Price Per Square FootRedfin
Median Sale $/SF
$46
Median List $/SF
$62
House Price IndexFHFA
How much have housing prices increased in Benton Heights, MI? According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index for the Niles, MI metro area, home prices have risen 552.6% over the past 40 years. Over 20 years, prices grew 94.8%. The 10-year growth rate is 103.5%. Over the last 5 years, prices increased 57.4%. In the most recent 2-year period, the index rose 16.3%. The FHFA HPI tracks average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings of single-family properties with conforming mortgages. Because this is a metro-level index, it reflects the broader Niles, MI housing market rather than Benton Heights alone.
Metro area: Niles, MI
Benton Heights vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with under 10,000 residents. Benton Heights is highlighted.
Median Home Value
Benton Heights, MI has a median home value of $87,500, making it the 23,865th highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that Benton Heights has a higher median home value than 15% of all the cities we measured.
Median Rent
Benton Heights, MI has a median rent of $546, making it the 21,294th highest median rent out of 22,337 cities in our database. This means that Benton Heights has a higher median rent than 5% of all the cities we measured.
Median Price Per Sq Ft
Benton Heights, MI has a price per square foot of $46, making it the 19,890th highest price per square foot out of 20,748 cities in our database. This means that Benton Heights has a higher price per square foot than 4% of all the cities we measured.
Rent Burden
Benton Heights, MI has a rent burden of 19.3%, making it the 9,729th highest rent burden out of 21,928 cities in our database. This means that Benton Heights has a higher rent burden than 56% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$87,500
Median Rent
$546
Total Housing Units
1,628
Vacancy Rate
10.9%
Owner Occupied
47.4%
Renter Occupied
52.6%
Median Property Tax
$1,290
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$593
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$1,290
per year
Effective Tax Rate
1.47%
of home value
Median Home Value
$87,500
Estimated Mean Tax
$1,647
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($1,290) by the median home value ($87,500). In Benton Heights, MI, this works out to an effective rate of 1.47%. This is above the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The current median sale price in Benton Heights, MI is $87,500 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 97 days on the market. 0.0% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 1.0 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $46. The median rent is $546 per month (Census ACS). About 47.4% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1955. There are 1,628 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $1,290. The effective tax rate is 1.47%, above the national average.
Crime data is not yet available for Benton Heights. The FBI UCR/NIBRS program does not cover all jurisdictions.
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
81.7
Relatively Moderate
Expected Annual Loss
81.9
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
44.1
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
98.4
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
12
Public Assistance
$742K
Individual Assistance
$1.6M
Most Common Type
Flood
5 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Mar 2020 | $394K | $1.5M |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation → | Hurricane | Sep 2005 | $4K | — |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding → | Severe Storm | Jun 2004 | — | $69K |
| Snow → | Snowstorm | Jan 2001 | $171K | — |
| Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 → | Snowstorm | Jan 1999 | $173K | — |
| Flooding → | Flood | Mar 1982 | — | — |
| Severe Storms & Flooding → | Flood | Sep 1980 | — | — |
| Blizzards & Snowstorms → | Snowstorm | Jan 1978 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, High Winds & Flooding → | Flood | Apr 1975 | — | — |
| Severe Storms & Flooding → | Flood | Apr 1973 | — | — |
| Severe Storms & Flooding → | Flood | Dec 1972 | — | — |
| Hurricane Katrina → | Unknown | — | — | — |
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
309
Total Claims Paid
$4,428,607
Avg Claim Payout
$14,332
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
2
Federal Funding
$84,260
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.00
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 90.4: Mitigation Plan - Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $51,818 |
| 91.3: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE | 1 | $32,442 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Benton Heights has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are strong wind, hail, cold wave. The area has had 12 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is flood (5 declarations). 309 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $741,729 in public assistance recovery funding. $1,556,747 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 2 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
53.2%
17.1pp above the national average
Depression Rate
27.0%
3.5pp above the national average
Diabetes Rate
22.2%
10.3pp above the national average
Uninsured Rate
17.5%
6.9pp above the national average
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Outcomes
Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.
High Cholesterol
34.7%
Arthritis
33.5%
Cancer (excl. skin)
5.9%
Teeth Lost (65+)
40.7%
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Frequent Mental Distress
24.5%
14+ days in past month
Depression
27.0%
Loneliness
39.2%
Lack of Support
32.5%
Disability Prevalence
Any Disability
50.4%
Mobility
28.4%
Cognitive
26.3%
Hearing
8.9%
Vision
15.4%
Self-Care
11.9%
Independent Living
20.5%
Health-Related Social Needs
Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health
Benton Heights has an obesity rate of 53.2%, which is 17.1pp above the national average. The depression rate is 27.0%, 3.5pp above the national average. About 17.5% of adults lack health insurance. 79.2% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
5
With Emergency Services
5
Avg CMS Rating
3.0 / 5
Nearest Hospital
9.4 mi
Corewell Health Watervliet Hos...
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corewell Health Watervliet Hospital | 9.4 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | — | Yes |
| Ascension Borgess Lee Hospital | 17.1 mi | Critical Access Hospitals | — | Yes |
| Bronson Lakeview Hospital | 27.2 mi | Critical Access Hospitals | 4/5 | Yes |
| Memorial Hospital Of South Bend | 32.3 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 3/5 | Yes |
| Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center | 32.7 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 2/5 | Yes |
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Drive Alone
83.3%
+6% vs national
Work From Home
4.9%
-47% vs national
Carpool
10.6%
Walk
0.6%
How Benton Heights's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
Traffic Fatalities
Source: NHTSA FARS (2020)Fatalities
1
2020
1-Year Avg
1
fatalities/yr
Alcohol-Related
1
100% of total
Nighttime
1
dark conditions
Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.
Commute data for Benton Heights, MI covers travel times and transportation modes. 83.3% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 4.9% work from home, which is below the MI state average of 9.1%. 10.6% of workers carpool. In 2020, there were 1 traffic fatality from 1 fatal crash.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
82.1%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
50.3%
of households
No Internet
7.0%
of households
Total Households
1,450
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
90.6%
of households
Smartphone
86.4%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
56.1%
of households
Tablet
31.5%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
19.3¢
per kWh
+1% vs Under 10,000 avg
Commercial Rate
14.0¢
per kWh
-9% vs Under 10,000 avg
Industrial Rate
8.3¢
per kWh
-30% vs Under 10,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$119
residential
-19% vs Under 10,000 avg
13% above the national average of 17.1¢/kWh
Residential electricity in Michigan averages 19.3¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1¢. The average monthly electric bill is $119. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
Benton Heights vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (Under 10,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (¢/kWh)
Commercial Rate (¢/kWh)
Industrial Rate (¢/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
82.1% of households in Benton Heights have broadband internet access. 50.3% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 31.0% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 7.0% of households have no internet access. 28.5% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Benton Heights is located in Berrien County, MI. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Benton Heights.
Election Overview
Source: Berrien County (2024)2024 Winner
Republican
Dem Votes
38,323
45.4%
GOP Votes
44,975
53.2%
Total Votes
84,478
Margin
R+7.9%
Shift from 2020
R+0.5pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 38,323 | 44,975 | 84,478 | 45.4% | 53.2% | R+7.9 |
| 2020 | 37,438 | 43,519 | 82,391 | 45.4% | 52.8% | R+7.4 |
| 2016 | 29,496 | 38,646 | 71,882 | 41.0% | 53.8% | R+12.7 |
In the 2024 presidential election, Berrien County recorded 84,478 total votes. Republicans won the county with 53.2% of the vote compared to 45.4% for Democrats, a margin of R+7.9%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+0.5pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Berrien County has shifted 4.9 percentage points toward Democrats.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
7
Total Population
72,531
Avg Median Income
$63,472
Avg Home Value
$181,571
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49022 | 29,796 | $39,859 | $140,500 | $797 | 67.3 |
| 49038 | 8,577 | $60,396 | $196,200 | $944 | 39.0 |
| 49084 | 38 | $41,875 | $169,600 | N/A | 0.1 |
| 49085 | 23,575 | $101,763 | $287,300 | $1,099 | 24.1 |
| 49098 | 5,791 | $56,899 | $150,500 | $1,253 | 32.6 |
| 49111 | 3,121 | $65,702 | $164,400 | $617 | 43.4 |
| 49126 | 1,633 | $77,813 | $162,500 | $738 | 15.4 |
Benton Heights, MI has 7 ZIP codes with a combined population of 72,531. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is $63,472. The average median home value is $181,571. The average median monthly rent is -$95,237,317.
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