Incorporated as a city in 1902, South Haven is a midwestern port city resting on the banks of Lake Michigan. The city’s busy lumber and farming industries contributed to its growth, and the city eventually provided lumber to larger metropolises like Chicago and became known for its more than 300 blueberry farms. The city was once a regional tourist destination thanks to its lakeside beaches and opportunities for recreation on the water, but the city is now home to nearly 4,600 permanent residents. However, major festivals and events can significantly increase the population in the summer. “It can ramp up to 20,000 people easily,” says Kathy Wagaman, director of the South Haven Chamber of Commerce. “Especially during major festivals like our Ice Breaker Festival in February and our National Blueberry Festival in August."
Downtown South Haven is home to a collection of thriving, locally loved shops and restaurants. Just downriver from the Dyckman Avenue bridge, the banks of the Black River hold a narrow alley of small businesses known as Old Harbor Village. Less than a tenth of a mile south of Old Harbor Village, the intersection of Center Street and Phoenix Street serves as the central hub of South Haven’s commercial activity. Here, residents can peruse boutique clothing and specialty shops, as well as local restaurants, breweries and wineries.
Homes in South Haven typically sell after spending 36 days on the market, slightly less than the national average of 44 days. Housing style range from small, ranch-style homes with less than 1,000 square feet to modern lakeside villas boasting more than 5,000 square feet. Homes tucked away from the water sell between $200,000 and $900,000, while homes along the shores of Lake Michigan can sell for $1 million and up. The median home price is $452,500, up 9% from the previous year.
Phoenix St. is South Haven's main retail center, with shops and restaurants to enjoy.
The South Haven Lighthouse welcomes nautical visitors to the town of South Haven.
1/2
Lake Michigan, a Pure Michigan Trail Town and a small collection of museums
The biggest natural draw to South Haven is Lake Michigan, where residents can kayak, join a fishing charter or sail the Lake’s cool blue waters. The city is also designated as a Pure Michigan Trail Town, highlighting its offering of scenic biking and hiking trails.
South Haven residents also have plenty of entertainment options in the colder months. The city has a small but vibrant art and history scene, kept alive by sites like the Michigan Maritime Museum and the South Haven Center for the Arts. For more family-focused fun, the Mitten Children’s Museum and the Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum offer hands-on exhibits for all ages.
Bathers and kayakers enjoy a day at South Beach in South Haven.
The South Haven Center for the Arts hosts exhibits and programs throughout the year.
1/2
South Haven Public Schools District
South Haven Public Schools earns an overall B-minus grade from Niche. With 1,798 students, the district maintains a 15:1 student-teacher ratio and an average graduation rate of 77%. Students are spread across three elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools. According to the district’s website, its strategic plan has four focus areas: improving communications, expanding student achievement, closing the achievement gap and improving conditions that impact student enrollment. South Haven’s only option for post-secondary education is Lake Michigan College. Offering more than 80 programs, the college hosts four campuses across the southwestern region of Michigan, including its South Haven Campus.
Bronson South Haven Medical System and other major employers
Bronson South Haven Hospital, one of the city’s largest employers, provides emergency medical services, and the city’s physicians’ offices are mainly concentrated around the hospital. Certified as a Level IV Trauma Center, Bronson can provide advanced trauma life support before transferring patients to a Level V Trauma Center—the highest level of the Trauma Center scale—if necessary. Other major employers in the city include South Haven Public Schools and the Holtec Palisades nuclear power plant.
The Holtec Palisades nuclear power plant is one of South Haven's top employers.
Bronson South Haven Hospital, a Level IV Trauma Center, is the city's largest employer.
1/2
Interstate 196 and the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport
Public transportation is limited to an on-demand ride service. Running through the east side of town, Interstate 196 connects residents with Grand Rapids 57 miles north. Following the interstate south, drivers can reach Interstate 94, which puts downtown Chicago 123 miles from South Haven. The South Haven Regional Airport is 5.3 miles south of the city, but the airport is limited to private and charter flights. For connections to destination flights, travelers will have to head 43 miles east to the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport.
South Haven Crime Rates
According to crime data from the FBI, the 2023 violent crime rate in South Haven was 274.93 per 100,000 people. The rate for property crime was 399.9 per 100,000. In comparison, the US violent crime rate was 120.98, and the property crime rate was 179.63.
Snowy South Haven Winters and Environmental Risks
The weather tends to be mild in the spring, summer and fall. The Lake Effect often brings snow to the city, says Jonathan Stowers, Realtor with Shores of South Haven, but winters have become more mild over the years. “You get some winters with excessive snow,” says Stowers, who grew up in the area. “But over time, the Michigan winters have become a lot less severe than they used to be.”
Roughly 25% of properties in South Haven are at risk of being impacted by flooding over the next 30 years. Commercial and residential property risks are minor, but infrastructure, roads and social properties like schools are at moderate risk. Fire and wind risks are minimal, though data indicates the city’s air quality is worse than 99% of other cities in Michigan.
The Future of South Haven
The 2108 South Haven Master Plan indicates that the city’s development plan focuses on preserving historical sites, increasing mixed-use properties that integrate commercial and residential properties and identifying a site for a central community gathering venue to host concerts and other events. According to information from the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, updates to the master plan will focus on coastal resiliency, housing needs and the environment.
There is an emphasis in South Haven on preserving historical sites.
South Haven, as a Pure Michigan town has much to be proud of.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
