Benton County, Iowa

Last updated

Benton County
Benton County IA Courthouse.jpg
Map of Iowa highlighting Benton County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa in United States.svg
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°04′47″N92°04′03″W / 42.079722222222°N 92.0675°W / 42.079722222222; -92.0675
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Iowa.svg  Iowa
Founded1837
Named for Thomas Hart Benton
Seat Vinton
Largest cityVinton
Area
  Total
718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
  Land716 sq mi (1,850 km2)
  Water2.2 sq mi (6 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
25,575
  Density36/sq mi (14/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st
Website www.bentoncountyia.gov

Benton County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,575. [1] Its county seat and largest city is Vinton. [2] The county is named for Thomas Hart Benton, a U.S. Senator from Missouri.

Contents

Benton County is part of the Cedar Rapids, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area. [3]

History

Benton County was formed on December 21, 1837, from sections of Dubuque County. It was named after US Senator Thomas Hart Benton. [4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 718 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 716 square miles (1,850 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.3%) is water. [5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1850 672
1860 8,4961,164.3%
1870 22,454164.3%
1880 24,88810.8%
1890 24,178−2.9%
1900 25,1774.1%
1910 23,156−8.0%
1920 24,0804.0%
1930 22,851−5.1%
1940 22,8790.1%
1950 22,656−1.0%
1960 23,4223.4%
1970 22,885−2.3%
1980 23,6493.3%
1990 22,429−5.2%
2000 25,30812.8%
2010 26,0763.0%
2020 25,575−1.9%
2023 (est.)25,796 [6] 0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]
1790-1960 [8] 1900-1990 [9]
1990-2000 [10] 2010-2018 [11]
Population of Benton County from US census data BentonCountyIowaPop2020.png
Population of Benton County from US census data

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 25,575 in the county, with a population density of

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 26,076 in the county, with a population density of

2022 US Census population pyramid for Benton County from ACS 5-year estimates BentonCountyIA2022PopPyr.png
2022 US Census population pyramid for Benton County from ACS 5-year estimates

2000 census

As of the census [13] of 2000, there were 25,308 people, 9,746 households, and 7,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 35 inhabitants per square mile (14/km2). There were 10,377 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.84% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,746 households, out of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.70% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,427, and the median income for a family was $49,701. Males had a median income of $35,044 versus $23,978 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,891. About 4.6% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Townships

Benton County is divided into twenty townships:

Census-designated place

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Benton County. [1]

county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation (2020 Census)
1 Vinton City4,938
2 Belle Plaine City2,330
3 Atkins City2,056
4 Urbana City1,554
5 Walford (partially in Linn County )City1,366
6 Shellsburg City961
7 Blairstown City692
8 Newhall City876
9 Van Horne City713
10 Keystone City599
11 Norway City466
12 Garrison City344
13 Mount Auburn City162
14 Watkins CDP116
15 Luzerne City112

Politics

United States presidential election results for Benton County, Iowa [14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
2024 9,54965.81%4,73932.66%2211.52%
2020 9,18862.75%5,16035.24%2942.01%
2016 8,23259.46%4,67833.79%9346.75%
2012 6,94049.49%6,86248.93%2211.58%
2008 6,44747.00%7,05851.45%2121.55%
2004 6,65849.31%6,74749.97%960.71%
2000 5,46846.47%5,91550.27%3833.26%
1996 3,83537.31%5,54653.95%8988.74%
1992 3,46933.23%4,46742.79%2,50323.98%
1988 4,01140.20%5,87358.87%930.93%
1984 5,56652.13%4,99346.76%1191.11%
1980 5,32950.11%4,22339.71%1,08310.18%
1976 5,01446.85%5,51451.52%1751.64%
1972 5,27354.09%4,28243.92%1941.99%
1968 5,01652.06%3,94440.93%6757.01%
1964 3,45334.24%6,61465.59%170.17%
1960 5,97256.33%4,62043.58%90.08%
1956 5,63456.31%3,94639.44%4264.26%
1952 6,31659.09%3,83135.84%5425.07%
1948 3,77045.06%4,20950.30%3884.64%
1944 4,37848.43%4,61951.10%420.46%
1940 5,29849.55%5,36350.15%320.30%
1936 4,14441.72%5,60656.43%1841.85%
1932 3,42434.87%6,07061.82%3253.31%
1928 5,66962.68%3,30736.56%690.76%
1924 5,31458.13%1,45915.96%2,36925.91%
1920 6,53971.02%2,34325.45%3253.53%
1916 3,18954.16%2,55643.41%1432.43%
1912 1,83131.53%2,47242.56%1,50525.91%
1908 3,18055.08%2,41841.88%1753.03%
1904 3,60961.10%2,05734.82%2414.08%
1900 3,60956.89%2,57540.59%1602.52%
1896 3,60457.50%2,56040.84%1041.66%

Education

School districts: [15]

There was formerly a state-operated school, Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. United States Office of Management and Budget. "Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). pp. 5, 36. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  4. History of the Origin of the Place Names in Nine Northwestern States. 1908. p. 11.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  11. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 5, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  12. "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 - State County". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  15. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Benton County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022. - Text list, 2010 map, 2010 text list

42°04′47″N92°04′03″W / 42.07972°N 92.06750°W / 42.07972; -92.06750