Benton County | |
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![]() Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota | |
![]() Minnesota's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 45°42′N94°00′W / 45.7°N 94°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | October 27, 1849 (created) 1850 (organized) [1] |
Named for | Thomas Hart Benton |
Seat | Foley |
Largest city | Sauk Rapids |
Area | |
• Total | 413 sq mi (1,070 km2) |
• Land | 408 sq mi (1,060 km2) |
• Water | 4.8 sq mi (12 km2) 1.2% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 41,379 |
• Estimate (2023) | 41,600 ![]() |
• Density | 97.9/sq mi (37.8/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 6th |
Website | www |
Benton County is a county in the East Central part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 41,379. [2] Its county seat is Foley. [3]
Benton County is part of the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Combined Statistical Area.
Established in 1849 and organized in 1850, the county is one of the oldest in Minnesota. [4] It was named for Thomas Hart Benton, a United States Senator from Missouri. [5] Its county seat for many years was Sauk Rapids, at the confluence of the Sauk and Mississippi Rivers. The county seat moved to Watab in 1856 and returned to Sauk Rapids in 1859. Sauk Rapids became the terminus of a railroad line in 1874, but was destroyed by a tornado in 1886. In 1897 the county seat moved to Foley, where it remains. As St. Cloud expanded into a metropolitan area, the northern part of Benton County became a suburb.
The Mississippi River flows southeast along Benton County's western border, and the Platte River flows south through the county's northwest corner, discharging into the Mississippi at the county's western border. The terrain consists of low rolling hills, wooded or devoted to agriculture. [6] It generally slopes to the south and east, although its western portion slopes into the river valleys. The county's highest point is a small hill near the midpoint of the northern border, 1 mi (1.6 km) north of Brennyville, at 1,311 ft (400 m) ASL. [7] The county has a total area of 413 square miles (1,070 km2), of which 408 square miles (1,060 km2) is land and 4.8 square miles (12 km2) (1.2%) is water. [8] It is the fifth-smallest county in Minnesota by land area and fourth-smallest by total area.
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In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Foley have ranged from a low of 2 °F (−17 °C) in January to a high of 82 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −43 °F (−42 °C) was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 107 °F (42 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.62 inches (16 mm) in February to 4.17 inches (106 mm) in June. [10]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1850 | 418 | — | |
1860 | 627 | 50.0% | |
1870 | 1,558 | 148.5% | |
1880 | 3,012 | 93.3% | |
1890 | 6,284 | 108.6% | |
1900 | 9,912 | 57.7% | |
1910 | 11,615 | 17.2% | |
1920 | 14,073 | 21.2% | |
1930 | 15,056 | 7.0% | |
1940 | 16,106 | 7.0% | |
1950 | 15,911 | −1.2% | |
1960 | 17,287 | 8.6% | |
1970 | 20,841 | 20.6% | |
1980 | 25,187 | 20.9% | |
1990 | 30,185 | 19.8% | |
2000 | 34,226 | 13.4% | |
2010 | 38,451 | 12.3% | |
2020 | 41,379 | 7.6% | |
2023 (est.) | 41,600 | [11] | 0.5% |
U.S. Decennial Census [12] 1790-1960 [13] 1900-1990 [14] 1990-2000 [15] 2010-2020 [2] |
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (NH) | 35,821 | 86.6% |
Black or African American (NH) | 1,991 | 4.81% |
Native American (NH) | 184 | 0.44% |
Asian (NH) | 463 | 1.12% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 8 | 0.02% |
Other/Mixed (NH) | 1,696 | 4.1% |
Hispanic or Latino | 1,216 | 2.94% |
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,226 people, 13,065 households, and 8,518 families in the county. The population density was 83.9 per square mile (32.4/km2). There were 13,460 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.22% White, 0.78% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 47.8% were of German, 12.1% Polish and 8.8% Norwegian ancestry.
There were 13,065 households, out of which 35.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.80% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% 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 3.14.
The county population contained 27.10% under the age of 18, 12.20% from 18 to 24, 31.00% from 25 to 44, 18.70% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,968, and the median income for a family was $51,277. Males had a median income of $33,214 versus $22,737 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,008. About 4.50% of families and 7.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.30% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.
Benton County voters have tended to vote Republican for the past few decades. In 2016 Donald Trump won the county with 64.2%, the highest share of the vote for any presidential candidate since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932. [17]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 14,382 | 64.61% | 7,280 | 32.70% | 598 | 2.69% |
2016 | 12,872 | 64.17% | 5,640 | 28.12% | 1,546 | 7.71% |
2012 | 10,849 | 55.30% | 8,173 | 41.66% | 597 | 3.04% |
2008 | 10,338 | 53.46% | 8,454 | 43.71% | 547 | 2.83% |
2004 | 10,043 | 54.63% | 8,059 | 43.84% | 282 | 1.53% |
2000 | 7,663 | 51.40% | 6,009 | 40.31% | 1,236 | 8.29% |
1996 | 4,835 | 36.54% | 6,006 | 45.39% | 2,392 | 18.08% |
1992 | 5,053 | 35.16% | 5,156 | 35.88% | 4,162 | 28.96% |
1988 | 6,060 | 50.33% | 5,861 | 48.68% | 119 | 0.99% |
1984 | 6,830 | 57.48% | 4,922 | 41.42% | 131 | 1.10% |
1980 | 5,513 | 46.79% | 5,272 | 44.75% | 997 | 8.46% |
1976 | 4,099 | 37.38% | 6,235 | 56.86% | 631 | 5.75% |
1972 | 4,652 | 49.35% | 4,282 | 45.43% | 492 | 5.22% |
1968 | 3,470 | 43.29% | 4,022 | 50.17% | 524 | 6.54% |
1964 | 2,818 | 37.47% | 4,679 | 62.22% | 23 | 0.31% |
1960 | 3,324 | 44.23% | 4,175 | 55.56% | 16 | 0.21% |
1956 | 3,591 | 57.77% | 2,609 | 41.97% | 16 | 0.26% |
1952 | 3,856 | 59.54% | 2,587 | 39.95% | 33 | 0.51% |
1948 | 2,297 | 38.19% | 3,632 | 60.38% | 86 | 1.43% |
1944 | 2,988 | 56.76% | 2,258 | 42.90% | 18 | 0.34% |
1940 | 3,491 | 55.76% | 2,742 | 43.79% | 28 | 0.45% |
1936 | 1,783 | 30.67% | 3,111 | 53.52% | 919 | 15.81% |
1932 | 1,329 | 24.84% | 3,901 | 72.92% | 120 | 2.24% |
1928 | 2,373 | 46.29% | 2,732 | 53.30% | 21 | 0.41% |
1924 | 1,629 | 41.90% | 572 | 14.71% | 1,687 | 43.39% |
1920 | 2,920 | 78.83% | 554 | 14.96% | 230 | 6.21% |
1916 | 1,020 | 49.09% | 945 | 45.48% | 113 | 5.44% |
1912 | 468 | 24.38% | 562 | 29.27% | 890 | 46.35% |
1908 | 1,001 | 54.11% | 765 | 41.35% | 84 | 4.54% |
1904 | 1,205 | 71.90% | 433 | 25.84% | 38 | 2.27% |
1900 | 849 | 51.58% | 751 | 45.63% | 46 | 2.79% |
1896 | 778 | 46.61% | 867 | 51.95% | 24 | 1.44% |
1892 | 426 | 25.63% | 577 | 34.72% | 659 | 39.65% |
Position | Name | District | |
---|---|---|---|
Commissioner and Chairperson | Scott Johnson | District 1 | |
Commissioner | Ed Popp | District 2 | |
Commissioner | Steve Heinen | District 3 | |
Commissioner and Vice Chair | Jared J. Gapinski | District 4 | |
Commissioner and Chairperson | Beth Schlangen | District 5 |
Position | Name | Affiliation | District | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Senate | Jeff Howe [20] | Republican | District 13 | |
Senate | Aric Putnam [21] | Democrat | District 14 | |
Senate | Andrew Mathews [22] | Republican | District 15 | |
House of Representatives | Tim O'Driscoll [23] | Republican | District 13B | |
House of Representatives | Dan Wolgamott [24] | Democrat | District 14B | |
House of Representatives | Shane Mekeland [25] | Republican | District 15B |
Position | Name | Affiliation | District | |
---|---|---|---|---|
House of Representatives | Tom Emmer [26] | Republican | 6th | |
Senate | Amy Klobuchar [27] | Democrat | N/A | |
Senate | Tina Smith [28] | Democrat | N/A |
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Hubbard County is a county in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,344. Its county seat is Park Rapids.
Crow Wing County is a county in the East Central part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 66,123. Its county seat is Brainerd. The county was formed in 1857, and was organized in 1870.
Foley is a city and the county seat of Benton County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,711 at the 2020 census.
Graham Township is a township in Benton County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 582 as of the 2010 census.
Mayhew Lake Township is a township in Benton County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 831 as of the 2010 census. Mayhew Lake Township was named for George V. Mayhew, an early settler of Benton County who became a state legislator.
Minden Township is a township in Benton County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,514 as of the 2020 census. Minden Township was organized in 1858.
Rice is a city in Benton County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,275 at the 2010 census. Its zip code also encompasses Graham, Langola, and Watab townships.
Sauk Rapids Township is a township in Benton County, Minnesota, United States near the Mississippi River. The population was 584 at the 2010 census.
Watab Township is an urban township in Benton County, Minnesota, United States, located north of the mouth of Watab Creek on the opposite side of the Mississippi River in Sartell. The population was 3,093 as of the 2010 census.
Sauk Rapids is a city in Benton County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 13,862 at the 2020 census and is 13,896 according to 2021 census estimates, about a third of Benton County's population. It is on a set of rapids on the Mississippi River near its confluence with the Sauk River.
Royalton is a city in Morrison and Benton counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota, along the Platte River. The population was 1,281 at the 2020 census. The city is located mainly within Morrison County.
Sartell is a city in Benton and Stearns Counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota that straddles the Mississippi River. It is part of the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 19,351 at the 2020 census, making it St. Cloud's most populous suburb and the fourth-largest city in central Minnesota, after St. Cloud, Elk River, and Willmar.
St. Cloud or Saint Cloud is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the largest population center in the state's central region. The population was 68,881 at the 2020 census, making it Minnesota's 12th-largest city. St. Cloud is the county seat of Stearns County and was named after the city of Saint-Cloud, France, which was named after the 6th-century French monk Clodoald.
Minnesota's 6th congressional district includes most or all of Benton, Carver, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright, and Anoka counties. Many of the Twin Cities' outer northern and western suburbs are included within the boundaries of this district, such as Blaine, Andover, Chaska, Ramsey, St. Michael-Albertville, Elk River, Chanhassen, Otsego, Lino Lakes, Buffalo, Ham Lake, Monticello, Waconia, Big Lake, East Bethel, and Victoria. The St. Cloud Area is the other major center of population for the district, including the cities of St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park.
The St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, consists of two counties in central Minnesota, anchored by the city of St. Cloud. In the 2010 census, the MSA had a population of 201,093; a July 1, 2012, Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 190,014. As of the 2020 census, the population was 199,671.
Watab is an unincorporated community in Watab Township, Benton County, Minnesota, United States. The community is located near the junction of River Road and 75th Street. Nearby places include Sauk Rapids, Sartell, and Rice.
Fruitville, also known locally as Fruthville, is an unincorporated community in Mayhew Lake Township, Benton County, Minnesota, United States. The community is located along Benton County Road 13 at 40th Avenue NE near Sauk Rapids and Foley.