City profile · Michigan · Census ACS 2023

Harbor Beach, MI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Harbor Beach - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,576
Residents
$39,844
Median income
$104,200
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Harbor Beach - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Harbor Beach places in the 8th percentile for household income and the 79th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

8th
percentile, household income
11th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
79th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Harbor Beach, MI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,576 residents in Harbor Beach, a small town within Michigan. Median household income here is $39,844 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 10.0%. Harbor Beach's housing stock carries a median value of $104,200, and the median resident age is 47.8 years. About 17.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 43.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Harbor Beach reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 637.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 45.4°F with 34.0 inches of precipitation per year and 47.2 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Michigan run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Michigan scores 96.2 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $973 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Michigan run around $238, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 59.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

1,576 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Michigan

Median Household Income

$39,844 /yr

Poverty 10.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Michigan average

How does Harbor Beach compare to other US cities?

Where Harbor Beach sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 8% higher than other cities
Home value 11% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 79% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Michigan, Harbor Beach ranks #57 of 254 Michigan cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Harbor Beach against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Michigan only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Michigan-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Harbor Beach near the bottom of Michigan's cities

Among the 727 Michigan cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Harbor Beach ranks #576 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Harbor Beach only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#666 of 718
7th percentile in Michigan
Median Gross Rent
#576 of 727
0th percentile in Michigan
Median Home Value
#556 of 721
23rd percentile in Michigan
Poverty Rate
#302 of 727
58th percentile in Michigan
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#412 of 727
43rd percentile in Michigan

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Michigan only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

8thIncome percentile
79thSafety percentile

8th percentile nationally for median household income · 79th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Harbor Beach's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Harbor Beach's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 59 Avg. percentile National median
Harbor Beach's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Harbor Beach's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$104,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 89% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Harbor Beach $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Harbor Beach, MI Harbor Beach, MI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Harbor Beach, MI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Harbor Beach, MI median $39,844/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Harbor Beach, MI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Harbor Beach, MI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 43.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,576
Median Income
$39,844
Median Home Value
$104,200
Median Age
47.8
Poverty Rate
10.0%
Labor force participation
43.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
637.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
127.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
510.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
45.4°F
Annual Precipitation
34.0"
Annual Snowfall
47.2"

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,540 residents1,560 residents1,580 residents1,600 residents1,620 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,602 residents 1,556 residents ▼ -2.9%
Harbor Beach's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
69.0%
Carpool
2.4%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
18.4%
Work from Home
5.8%
Other
3.9%

Based on 549 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Michigan - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$238
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Michigan state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Michigan state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Harbor Beach sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
59.0 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Michigan

Dimondale
1,582 people
Homer
1,584 people
Centreville
1,591 people
Elk Rapids
1,558 people
Standish
1,616 people
Lake LeAnn
1,522 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Harbor Beach's 1,576 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Del Norte, CO
1,576 people
Gilman, IL
1,576 people
Rowley, MA
1,576 people
Clay, PA
1,576 people
Dysart, IA
1,575 people
White Sands, NM
1,577 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Harbor Beach's $39,844 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Nowata, OK
$39,853 median income
Foreman, AR
$39,833 median income
Pollard, AR
$39,833 median income
Lawrenceville, VA
$39,833 median income
Pine River, MN
$39,858 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Harbor Beach, MI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Harbor Beach, MI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.6% White 95.0% Black or African American 1.3% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 3.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Harbor Beach compares to nearby Michigan cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Harbor Beach (this city) 1,576 $39,844
Dimondale 1,582 $112,333
Homer 1,584 $49,271
Centreville 1,591 $65,952
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Harbor Beach, MI?

What is the population of Harbor Beach, MI? +

Harbor Beach, MI counts 1,576 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Harbor Beach, MI? +

Median annual household income in Harbor Beach runs $39,844, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Harbor Beach? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Harbor Beach; the closest available measure is the Michigan state average, a cost of living index of 96.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Michigan vary by metro area.

Is Harbor Beach, MI safe? +

Harbor Beach has a total crime rate of 637.8 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Harbor Beach, MI? +

Homes in Harbor Beach carry a median value of $104,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Harbor Beach? +

Climate normals put Harbor Beach's yearly average temperature at 45.4°F, 34.0 inches of precipitation, and 47.2 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.