Benson, Minnesota

Benson
City
The Swift County Courthouse is one of several buildings in Benson on the National Register of Historic Places.
Location of Benson within Swift County, Minnesota
Coordinates: 45°18′55″N95°36′21″W / 45.31528°N 95.60583°W / 45.31528; -95.60583
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Swift
Area [1]
• Total	3.12 sq mi (8.08 km2)
• Land	3.10 sq mi (8.03 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation [2]	1,040 ft (320 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,480
• Density	1,122.94/sq mi (433.55/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	56215
Area code	320
FIPS code	27-05212 [3]
GNIS feature ID	2394138 [2]
Website	www.bensonmn.org

Benson is a city in Swift County, Minnesota, United States, along the Chippewa River. The population was 3,240 at the 2010 census. ^[4] It is the county seat. ^[5]

History

Benson was platted in 1870 when the railroad was extended to that point. ^[6] As the end of the tracks, Benson became a lively trading center. Benson was the market for a 100-mile area in almost all directions. ^[7]

The city was named for Ben H. Benson, a Norwegian settler. ^[6] Benson was incorporated as a city in 1908. ^[6]

The town's early history included many tragedies, such as an 1872 smallpox epidemic, an 1876 grasshopper plague, and a fire in 1880 that wiped out a whole city block. ^[7]

In 1869, the first general store in Benson was established. ^[7] A post office has been in operation at Benson since 1870. ^[8] The Benson Public Library was established in 1911 after a generous donation. In 1912, the Swift County Hospital was built, originally housing 19 patients. ^[9] Benson's first one-room schoolhouse still stands as a historic site in Ambush Park and is open to the public. The current schools were established in 1890 (Benson High School]) and 1958 (Northside Elementary School).

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Benson has an area of 3.02 square miles (7.82 km²); 3.00 square miles (7.77 km²) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) is water. ^[10]

U.S. Highway 12 and Minnesota State Highways 9 and 29 are three of the main routes in the city.

Climate

Climate data for Benson, Minnesota, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1945–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	63 (17)	61 (16)	80 (27)	97 (36)	99 (37)	104 (40)	103 (39)	103 (39)	101 (38)	93 (34)	81 (27)	60 (16)	104 (40)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	41.3 (5.2)	45.1 (7.3)	62.2 (16.8)	79.6 (26.4)	89.7 (32.1)	93.4 (34.1)	93.6 (34.2)	91.8 (33.2)	88.8 (31.6)	82.0 (27.8)	62.3 (16.8)	44.2 (6.8)	96.2 (35.7)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	21.2 (−6.0)	26.0 (−3.3)	39.1 (3.9)	55.7 (13.2)	69.4 (20.8)	79.3 (26.3)	83.3 (28.5)	80.9 (27.2)	73.8 (23.2)	58.5 (14.7)	40.8 (4.9)	26.5 (−3.1)	54.5 (12.5)
Daily mean °F (°C)	11.0 (−11.7)	15.4 (−9.2)	28.7 (−1.8)	44.1 (6.7)	57.6 (14.2)	68.1 (20.1)	72.2 (22.3)	69.7 (20.9)	61.6 (16.4)	46.8 (8.2)	31.2 (−0.4)	17.4 (−8.1)	43.7 (6.5)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	0.8 (−17.3)	4.8 (−15.1)	18.4 (−7.6)	32.5 (0.3)	45.9 (7.7)	57.0 (13.9)	61.0 (16.1)	58.5 (14.7)	49.4 (9.7)	35.2 (1.8)	21.5 (−5.8)	8.3 (−13.2)	32.8 (0.4)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−19.9 (−28.8)	−15.7 (−26.5)	−4.6 (−20.3)	17.6 (−8.0)	31.5 (−0.3)	44.7 (7.1)	50.4 (10.2)	46.7 (8.2)	33.5 (0.8)	20.0 (−6.7)	2.9 (−16.2)	−13.2 (−25.1)	−22.7 (−30.4)
Record low °F (°C)	−35 (−37)	−35 (−37)	−27 (−33)	0 (−18)	20 (−7)	34 (1)	41 (5)	36 (2)	21 (−6)	10 (−12)	−21 (−29)	−28 (−33)	−35 (−37)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.74 (19)	0.81 (21)	1.50 (38)	2.59 (66)	3.34 (85)	4.10 (104)	4.00 (102)	3.77 (96)	2.75 (70)	2.45 (62)	1.24 (31)	0.82 (21)	28.11 (715)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	8.3 (21)	8.5 (22)	7.1 (18)	4.2 (11)	0.1 (0.25)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.3 (0.76)	5.7 (14)	8.4 (21)	42.6 (108.01)
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm)	9.9 (25)	11.4 (29)	10.7 (27)	3.3 (8.4)	0.1 (0.25)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.3 (0.76)	4.0 (10)	7.4 (19)	14.4 (37)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	6.8	6.0	7.0	8.7	11.0	12.3	9.8	9.5	8.9	9.0	5.5	6.6	101.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	5.6	4.8	3.3	1.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	2.3	5.3	22.9
Source 1: NOAA [11]
Source 2: National Weather Service [12]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	456		—
1890	877		92.3%
1900	1,525		73.9%
1910	1,677		10.0%
1920	2,111		25.9%
1930	2,095		−0.8%
1940	2,729		30.3%
1950	3,398		24.5%
1960	3,678		8.2%
1970	3,484		−5.3%
1980	3,656		4.9%
1990	3,235		−11.5%
2000	3,376		4.4%
2010	3,240		−4.0%
2020	3,480		7.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census ^[13] of 2010, there were 3,240 people, 1,469 households, and 828 families living in the city. The population density was 1,080.0 inhabitants per square mile (417.0/km²). There were 1,602 housing units at an average density of 534.0 per square mile (206.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.2% White, 0.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6% of the population.

There were 1,469 households, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.6% were non-families. 38.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the city was 43.6 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 22.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[3] of 2000, there were 3,376 people, 1,451 households, and 880 families living in the city. The population density was 1,360.5 inhabitants per square mile (525.3/km²). There were 1,566 housing units at an average density of 631.1 per square mile (243.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.07% White, 0.24% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.18% of the population.

There were 1,451 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,234, and the median income for a family was $44,638. Males had a median income of $31,280 versus $23,444 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,269. About 3.2% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.

Alternative energy

Benson is home to the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC), which produces a variety of ethanol products including E85. ^[14] The plant also produces food-grade ethyl alcohol for adult beverages. ^[15]

Transport

The city owns and operates the Benson Municipal Airport Veterans Field. ^[16]

Notable people

• Lyn Yvonne Abramson, Professor of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Scott Anfinson, Minnesota State Archaeologist, 2005-2016
• Cynthia Breen, President, North American Division of Estee Lauder Corporation, 2005-2017
• Edgar Dale, Professor, College of Education and Human Ecology, Ohio State University, 1929-1970, internationally renowned developer of the Cone of Experience theory
• Darwin Hall, American politician, U.S. House of Representatives, 1889-1891
• Jonathan Holmquist, Emeritus Professor of Spanish and Portuguese, Temple University
• Alfred I. Johnson, politician, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, 1955-1959
• James A. Johnson, Chairman and CEO, Fannie Mae, 1991-1998; Chairman, Kennedy Center for the Arts and Brookings Institution
• Maxwell E. Johnson, Professor, Department of Theology, University of Notre Dame
• Mark Kennedy, American politician, U.S. House of Representatives, 2001-2007
• Clifford Orin Olson, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Pacific Lutheran University, 1926-41, 1946
• Martha Ostenso, novelist and screenwriter, author of Wild Geese and 15 other novels, born in Norway (1900), emigrated to Minnesota, lived in rural Benson as a child
• Sandra Peterson, politician, Minnesota House of Representatives, 2005-2013

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Benson, Minnesota
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census. Retrieved April 23, 2011.^{[ dead link ]}
5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
6. Upham, Warren. Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p.  540.
7. "History of Benson, MN Area". City of Benson. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
8. "Swift County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
9. "History of Swift County-Benson Hospital". Swift County Benson Hospital. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
11. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Benson, MN". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
12. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Minneapolis". National Weather Service. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 13, 2012.
14. "Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company E85" . Retrieved April 11, 2019.
15. "Glacial Grain Spirits" . Retrieved April 11, 2019.
16. "Benson Municipal Airport" . Retrieved April 11, 2019.

External links

• City Website
• Benson Public Schools