Benton Harbor was founded by Henry C. Morton, Sterne Brunson and Charles Hull, who all now have or have had schools named after them.

It had long been recognized that a canal would be crucial to the town's development, both to drain the marsh and to provide a berthing area for ships.

[13] On August 30, 1966, a riot began after a meeting discussing recreational facilities and police relations with respect to black residents.

[14] During the riot, a black 18-year-old named Cecil Hunt was killed in a drive-by shooting; suspects were arrested but the assault charge was later dismissed.

[14][15] Governor George W. Romney dispatched troops from the Michigan National Guard, who stood down on September 5 when the riot dissipated.

[16] In June 2003, several citizens in Benton Harbor demonstrated for two days when black motorcyclist Terrance Shurn, being chased by a police officer, crashed into a building and died.

As many as 300 state troopers and law enforcement personnel from neighboring communities were called to Benton Harbor.

[13][17][18][19][20][21] Indirectly, the riot contributed to the Jimmy Carter Work Project's 2005 activities being held in Benton Harbor and Detroit.

[25][26] High levels of copper were also noted in the annual consumer confidence reports that have been required by Environmental Protection Agency.

Due to lake-effect snow there is very high snowfall relative to precipitation in winter, but far lower than some locations that are farther north in the state.

Summer high temperatures range from 77 to 83 °F (25 to 28 °C) from June to August, but the apparent heat is normally moderated by mild nights.

The team's report was a long list of mismanagement to the point that budgets were "effectively meaningless as a financial management tool.

In April 2010, Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Joseph Harris as Emergency Financial Manager.

[39] On April 14, 2011, Harris suspended the decision-making powers of Benton Harbor's elected city officials, who can hold meetings but are not allowed to govern.

[39] On January 4, 2012, city commissioners Marcus Muhammad and MaryAlice Adams held a press conference where they stated that if there was still an emergency financial manager administering the city when Benton Harbor hosted the Senior PGA Championship in May, an "Occupy PGA movement should sit in on the golf greens and driving ranges in protest.

On February 1, 2013, the ELB appointed Tony R. Saunders II as the youngest Successor-Emergency Financial Manager for the city of Benton Harbor.

Black Autonomy Network Community Organization (BANCO) is a political and social justice coalition working in Benton Harbor.

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

Benton Harbor is served by The Herald-Palladium newspaper, whose offices are in nearby St. Joseph Township, and is part of the South Bend/Elkhart television market.

Benton Harbor is served by sister radio stations WCXT, WCSY-FM, WQLQ, WIRX, WQYQ, WSJM-FM, and WYTZ, as well as WHFB and some in the South Bend market.

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