Benton Harbor is a city in Berrien County, Michigan. It is located 46 miles southwest of Kalamazoo and 71 miles southwest of Grand Rapids. According to the 2020 census, the city had a population of 9,103. It is the smaller of the two main cities in the Niles–Benton Harbor Metropolitan Area, which has a population of 156,813.

Benton Harbor and the nearby city of St. Joseph formed on opposite sides of the St. Joseph River and are often called the "Twin Cities." Fairplain and Benton Heights are unincorporated areas near Benton Harbor. Over 80 percent of the population is African American.

History

Benton Harbor was founded by Henry C. Morton, Sterne Brunson, and Charles Hull. Schools in the city are named after them. The area was once mostly wetlands near the Paw Paw River. A canal was built through the wetlands, which is why the city's name includes "harbor." In 1860, Brunson, Morton, Hull, and others planned the village and named it Brunson Harbor.

Brunson, Morton, and Hull gave land and asked for donations to build the canal, which finished in 1862. People had long believed a canal would help the town grow by draining wetlands and creating a place for ships to stop. The canal was first 25 feet wide but later widened to 50 feet in 1868. This helped the town become a center for shipping and manufacturing. By 1937, the eastern part of the canal was no longer used for boats, and most of it was closed in 1963.

In 1866, the settlement was renamed Benton Harbor to honor Thomas Hart Benton, a Missouri senator who helped Michigan become a state. The city was officially formed in 1891.

Starting in the 1950s, many stores in Benton Harbor moved outside the city. The city faced economic problems from 1970 to 1985.

The religious group called the House of David was started in Benton Harbor and once operated a local amusement park.

Benton Harbor had two major riots: one in 1966 and another in 2003. Smaller riots also happened in 1960, 1967, and 1990.

On August 30, 1966, a riot began after a meeting about recreation and police relations with Black residents. During the riot, an 18-year-old Black man named Cecil Hunt was killed in a drive-by shooting. Suspects were arrested, but the charges were later dropped. Governor George W. Romney sent troops from the Michigan National Guard, who left on September 5 when the riot ended.

In June 2003, people in Benton Harbor protested for two days after a Black motorcyclist named Terrance Shurn died in a crash while being chased by a police officer. Up to 300 state troopers and officers from nearby areas were sent to the city.

A state task force reported on the 2003 incident later that year. The riot indirectly led to the Jimmy Carter Work Project being held in Benton Harbor and Detroit in 2005.

Like the 2014–2019 Flint water crisis, Benton Harbor had high lead levels in its tap water in 2018. Water looked "bubbly and white" to "brown" and had a bad taste and smell. This was caused by lead pipes. Tests found 22 parts per billion of lead, higher than Flint’s 20 parts per billion and the federal limit of 15 parts per billion. Copper levels were also high, as reported by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Concerns focused on the health risks of lead poisoning. Free bottled water was given to residents and schools for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth. In September 2021, $10 million was planned to replace lead pipes. By December 1, 2023, all lead pipes were replaced, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

In the 2020s, Benton Harbor started a project to improve Ox Creek, a stream that flows through parts of the city and into the Paw Paw River. The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission and the University of Michigan are helping with the project.

Geography

The United States Census Bureau reports that the city covers an area of 4.68 square miles (12.12 km²), with 4.43 square miles (11.47 km²) being land and 0.25 square miles (0.65 km²) being water.

Benton Harbor has a humid continental climate, classified as Dfa according to the Köppen system. This climate type has warmer summers than typical for this category and milder winters compared to other similar climates. Lake-effect snow causes heavy snowfall during winter, even though overall precipitation is not extremely high. However, this is less than some areas farther north in the state. Summer high temperatures usually range between 77°F and 83°F (25°C to 28°C) from June to August. Mild nighttime temperatures help reduce the feeling of heat.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the city had 10,038 people, 3,548 households, and 2,335 families. The population density was 2,265.9 people per square mile (874.9 per square kilometer). There were 4,329 housing units, with an average density of 977.2 per square mile (377.3 per square kilometer). The racial makeup was 89.2% African American, 7.0% White, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up 2.2% of the population.

Of the 3,548 households, 44.3% had children under 18 living with them, 17.0% were married couples, 43.2% had a female householder without a husband, 5.6% had a male householder without a wife, and 34.2% were non-families. Twenty-eight point six percent of households included only one person, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.77, and the average family size was 3.41.

The median age in the city was 28.3 years. Thirty-five point one percent of residents were under 18, 10.4% were between 18 and 24, 24.5% were 25 to 44, 22.2% were 45 to 64, and 7.7% were 65 or older. The gender distribution was 46.5% male and 53.5% female.

At the 2000 census, the city had 11,182 people, 3,767 households, and 2,557 families. The population density was 2,545.7 people per square mile (982.9 per square kilometer). There were 4,492 housing units, with an average density of 1,022.7 per square mile (394.9 per square kilometer). The racial makeup was 92.40% African American, 5.48% White, 0.15% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up 0.58% of the population.

Of the 3,767 households, 42.0% had children under 18, 20.8% were married couples, 42.0% had a female householder without a husband, and 32.1% were non-families. Twenty-six point six percent of households included only one person, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.91, and the average family size was 3.53.

Age distribution was 39.6% under 18, 9.8% between 18 and 24, 25.9% between 25 and 44, 16.5% between 45 and 64, and 8.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 72.7 males.

The median household income was $17,471, and the median family income was $19,250. Males had a median income of $27,154, while females had a median income of $20,105. The per capita income was $8,965, the lowest in Michigan. Approximately 39.6% of families and 42.6% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 52.5% of those under 18 and 29.7% of those 65 or older.

Government

In 2009, the Michigan Treasury Department sent a team to examine the city's financial situation. The team's report showed many examples of poor management, including budgets that were "not useful as a financial management tool." The city had a $10 million shortage in its pension fund and growing budget deficits. In April 2010, Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Joseph Harris as Emergency Financial Manager. The city reduced its staff by between 30 and 70 employees.

Harris received more authority under a new law signed in March 2011 by Governor Rick Snyder. Harris had previously worked as the chief financial officer for the city of Detroit. On April 14, 2011, Harris stopped the elected city officials of Benton Harbor from making decisions. These officials could still meet but could not govern the city. The president of the Michigan AFL–CIO called this action "sad news for democracy in Michigan." However, City Commissioner Bryan Joseph supported the move, stating the city had been mismanaged for many years.

On January 4, 2012, city commissioners Marcus Muhammad and MaryAlice Adams held a press conference. They said that if an Emergency Financial Manager was still in place during the Senior PGA Championship in May, a group called "Occupy PGA" would protest at the event. Protest marches by Occupy PGA occurred during the tournament, but the event was not disrupted.

On January 11, 2013, the Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board (ELB) voted to replace Harris as Emergency Financial Manager. On February 1, 2013, the ELB appointed Tony R. Saunders II as the youngest Successor-Emergency Financial Manager for the city of Benton Harbor.

The Benton Harbor Public Library provides library services for the city. The town also has a police department.

Education

The city has two educational institutions: Benton Harbor Area Schools, which is part of the Berrien Regional Education Service Agency, and Lake Michigan College, a two-year community college located just east of Benton Harbor.

Economy

Whirlpool Corporation, the largest company that makes major home appliances, has its main office in Benton Charter Township. It also has a new campus called Riverview near the St. Joseph River in Benton Harbor and a Technical Center in St. Joseph.

Community organizations

The Black Autonomy Network Community Organization (BANCO) is a political and social justice group that works in Benton Harbor.

Transportation

• I-94 goes around the city to the east and south, linking to Kalamazoo and Detroit to the east and to Michigan City, Indiana, and Chicago, Illinois, to the south and southwest.
• BL I-94 passes through the downtown areas of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. It mostly follows the old path of US 12.
• I-196 starts nearby in Benton Township and travels north toward Holland, ending at Grand Rapids.
• US 31 is currently a highway (called the St. Joseph Valley Parkway) from the Indiana border northward. It connects with Main St. and I-94 in a partial cloverleaf, linking downtown Benton Harbor to US 31.
• M-63 acts as a loop route that connects with I-196 to the north. It runs through downtown St. Joseph and continues to I-94, then to M-139, where it ends. M-63 follows the old path of US 33.
• M-139 begins near Niles at US 12 and ends at BL I-94 on the Benton Harbor–Benton Township border (the northbound direction ends entirely within Benton Township). M-139 follows the old path of US 31 south of I-94.

The Charles Freeman Joseph Bridge on Whitwam Drive crosses the Paw Paw River and connects to St. Joseph. It is named after Benton Harbor’s first Black mayor and opened in late 2005.

The Amtrak station in St. Joseph is served daily by Amtrak’s Pere Marquette passenger train.

The Twin Cities Area Transportation Authority (TCATA) provides bus service in Benton Harbor and nearby areas. Originally only a dial-a-ride service, it now includes three fixed routes: Red Route, Green Route, and Blue Route. The Red Route covers Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, St. Joseph Charter Township, Lincoln Township, and Royalton Township. The Blue and Green Routes operate within Benton Harbor and Benton Township.

Southwest Michigan Regional Airport offers non-commercial air service.

Both Benton Harbor and nearby St. Joseph are commercial ports that receive bulk goods from lake freighters.

Media

Benton Harbor is covered by The Herald-Palladium newspaper, which is based in nearby St. Joseph Township. The city is also part of the South Bend/Elkhart television market. The Benton Spirit community newspaper has provided local news for the past 10 years. This paper was recognized by former Governor Granholm's 2003 Benton Harbor Task Force Report as an important communication partner that "helps actively in the full development of Benton Harbor." The city is served by radio stations WCXT, WCSY-FM, WIRX, WQYQ, WRRA-FM, WSJM-FM, and WYTZ-FM, as well as WHFB and some stations from the South Bend market. Most TV and radio stations from the Chicago market are also available from 60 miles (97 km) away across the lake.

Points of interest

In Benton Harbor, places of interest include Shiloh House, built in 1910, which was used as an administration building and men's dormitory for the House of David colony, a religious community that lived together; Morton House (on Morton Hill), built in 1849 by Eleazar Morton, which now serves as a museum; Jean Klock Park on Lake Michigan; and the Golf Club at Harbor Shores. In Benton Township, the Benton Harbor Fruit Market replaced the fruit market in the "flats" area of Benton Harbor, which was removed during an urban renewal project in 1967. The main shopping center in the area is The Orchards Mall.

Sports

In November 2006, an American Basketball Association (ABA) team called the Twin City Ballers played some games in Benton Harbor. However, the team left the city because few people attended the games. Another ABA team, the Lake Michigan Admirals, started playing in Benton Harbor in 2009. In 2012, the Admirals changed leagues and joined the Premiere Basketball League.

On September 6, 1920, Jack Dempsey defended his heavyweight title in Benton Harbor by defeating Billy Miske.

The city hosts the Maytag Ironman 70.3 Steelhead triathlon, which is a race that helps athletes qualify for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship.

Benton Harbor is the birthplace of Iris Kyle, the most successful professional bodybuilder in history. She has won ten overall Ms. Olympia titles, two heavyweight titles, seven Ms. International titles, and one heavyweight title.