South Haven: Demographics & People
About 3,998 people live in South Haven, in 2,047 households. Population grew 0.1% from 3,994 (2022) to 3,998 (2024). Median age 61.7 years. (20.5y older than Van Buren County; 24.0y older than Michigan). Children under 18 are 13% of the population. Population is 80% White (non-Hispanic) and 7% Black. 61% of households are family-led. County is gaining 2,114 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 32% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 2.0 people per household (vs Michigan avg 2.4).
- 39% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Michigan 44%).
- 121 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Michigan 66).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.1% from 3,994 (2022) to 3,998 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~4,001 (extrapolated at 0.1%/yr trend).
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 120,502 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.1% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 3,994 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 3,998 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 3,998 people (vs Michigan 45,758) |
| Population Estimate | 4,007 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 61.7y is 22.8 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 13% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 61.7 years (vs Michigan 37.7y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 13.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 3,998 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 521 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 527.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 1,278.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 1,672 |
| Population under 18 | 521 |
| Median age | 61.7 years (vs Michigan 37.7y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 3,998 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| White residents | 3,139 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 409 |
| Asian residents | 51 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 190 |
| Diversity Index · Simpson Index | 36.8% |
| Diversity Index · Interpretation | less diverse |
| Asian population | 1.1% (vs Michigan 1.7%) |
| Black population | 7.0% (vs Michigan 7.5%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 6.9% (vs Michigan 5.2%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 80.5% (vs Michigan 66.5%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.1% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 6% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 2,513 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 1,233 |
| Share born in this state | 62.9% |
| Share born in another state | 37.1% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 30.8% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.1% |
| Naturalized citizens | 6.2% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 171 |
| From Europe | 15 |
| From Africa | 44 |
Households & Family Composition
2,047 households. Averaging 2.0 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 61% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 1,220 families, 12% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 666 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 1,220 |
| Married couples with children | 152 |
| Single-parent households | 26 |
| Average household size | 2.01 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 16.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 38 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 38 |
| Family households | 1,248 households (vs Michigan 10,723) |
| Households that are families | 61.0% (vs Michigan 56.3%) |
| Total households | 2,047 households (vs Michigan 18,535) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 10.6% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 2,114 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 10.6% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 121,301 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 119,187 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 2,114 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 189 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 4.9% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 104 residents live in group quarters (2.6% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 104 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 6 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 26005 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 26 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 005 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Allegan |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 14.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 13.10 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 17.00 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 26005 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Allegan County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Micropolitan |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 3,330 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 26005 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Allegan County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 53.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 53.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 60.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 118,081 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 5.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 6 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 5 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 13.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 3,998, stable, retirement community, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 3,998 people (vs Michigan 45,758) |
| Town Summary · County | Allegan County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade