About one in 5 of Benton’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are St. Joseph (8%), Lincoln (6%) and Grand Rapids (5%). Half commute less than 10 miles.

St. Joseph

Lincoln

Grand Rapids

St. Joseph

22%Work in townlive and work in Benton 10 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 9,473Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2021 · ACSWork & commute in Benton →

Health in Benton

D⁻

Health Grade D−

Healthier than 1% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Michigan

2better than MI·23worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 7 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▲ 9▼ 2 close Habits 1▲ 3▼ 0 close Care 3▼ 4 close Mind 4▼ 1 close Everyday needs 4▼ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

12.2%Fewer binge drinkersMI 15.9% · better 7.6%Fewer adults who have had cancerMI 8.9% · better 22%More adults facing a utility shut-offMI 8.7% · worse

Care nearby

Lakeland Hospital, St. JosephSt. Joseph · 4.6 mi · ER

Intercare Benton HarborBenton Harbor · 2.2 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP code 49022 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Benton →

Natural hazards in Benton

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 21% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🌪️ Tornadoes

1Does Benton flood?paid flood claims since 1991 NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 10 declared for Berrien County MapBenton vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Benton →

Climate in Benton

Full climate →

Benton has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 19°, and about 78 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

35° / 21°Winter

58° / 38°Spring

81° / 60°Summer

62° / 43°Fall

How much snow does Benton get?About 78 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 17, with the last in spring around May 4.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.1° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Benton →

Schools in Benton

All Benton schools →

School Grade D

The public schools Benton’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 95% of Michigan’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

See how Benton’s schools compare in MI →

DistrictCountryside AcademySchools5

Countryside Academy Elementary C-Elementary · Grades K–5 · 384 students Fair Plain East Elementary D-Elementary · Grades 4–5 · 150 students Brookview Montessori SchoolElementary · Grades PK–8 · 123 students Fair Plain Middle School D-Middle · Grades 6–8 · 240 students Countryside Academy MiddleHigh School C-Other · Grades 2–12 · 386 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within MI. Ratings are from neighbors.