Benton County, Iowa

Benton County
Benton County
U.S. county
	Benton County Courthouse
	Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
	Iowa's location within the U.S.
	Coordinates: 42°04′47″N 92°04′03″W / 42.079722222222°N 92.0675°W
Country	United States
State	Iowa
Founded	1837
Named for	Thomas Hart Benton
Seat	Vinton
Largest city	Vinton
Area
• Total	718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
• Land	716 sq mi (1,850 km2)
• Water	2.2 sq mi (6 km2) 0.3%
Population (2020)
• Total	25,575
• Density	36/sq mi (14/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	www.bentoncountyiowa.org

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.

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[]

Interstate 380
U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 151
U.S. Route 218
Iowa Highway 8
Iowa Highway 21
Iowa Highway 27
Iowa Highway 150

Adjacent counties[]

Black Hawk County (northwest)
Buchanan County (northeast)
Linn County (east)
Iowa County (south)
Tama County (west)

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1850	672	—
1860	8,496	1,164.3%
1870	22,454	164.3%
1880	24,888	10.8%
1890	24,178	−2.9%
1900	25,177	4.1%
1910	23,156	−8.0%
1920	24,080	4.0%
1930	22,851	−5.1%
1940	22,879	0.1%
1950	22,656	−1.0%
1960	23,422	3.4%
1970	22,885	−2.3%
1980	23,649	3.3%
1990	22,429	−5.2%
2000	25,308	12.8%
2010	26,076	3.0%
2020	25,575	−1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census^[6] 1790-1960^[7] 1900-1990^[8] 1990-2000^[9] 2010-2018^[10]

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 35.6124/sq mi (13.75001/km²). 96.29% of the population reported being of one race. 93.04% were non-Hispanic White, 0.45% were Black, 1.81% were Hispanic, 0.13% were Native American, 0.32% were Asian, 0.01% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 4.24% were some other race or more than one race. There were 11,076 housing units of which 10,282 were occupied.^[1]

2010 census[]

The 2010 census recorded a population of 26,076 in the county, with a population density of 36.419/sq mi (14.061/km²). There were 11,095 housing units, of which 10,302 were occupied.^[11]

2000 census[]

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Benton County

As of the census^[12] of 2000, there were 25,308 people, 9,746 households, and 7,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 35 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 10,377 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (6/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[]

Watkins

Population ranking[]

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

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2020 Census)
1	† Vinton	City	4,938
2	Belle Plaine	City	2,330
3	Atkins	City	2,056
4	Urbana	City	1,554
5	Walford (partially in Linn County)	City	1,366
6	Shellsburg	City	961
7	Blairstown	City	692
8	Newhall	City	876
9	Van Horne	City	713
10	Keystone	City	599
11	Norway	City	466
12	Garrison	City	344
13	Mount Auburn	City	162
14	Watkins	CDP	116
15	Luzerne	City	112

Politics[]

show

Presidential Elections Results

References[]

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
^ 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.
^ History of the Origin of the Place Names in Nine Northwestern States. 1908. p. 11.
^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
^ "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 - State -- County". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Retrieved March 6, 2011.^{[dead link]}
^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.

Coordinates: 42°04′47″N 92°04′03″W / 42.07972°N 92.06750°W / 42.07972; -92.06750

[cen2020-1] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved 12 August 2021.

[GR6-2] "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.

[GR1-5] "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.

[6] "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2014.

[7] "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 13, 2014.

[8] "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2014.

[9] "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2014.

[QF-10] "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2014.

[USCB-11] "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 - State -- County". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Retrieved March 6, 2011.^{[dead link]}

[GR2-12] "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.

[13] Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.

[1]

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[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
2020	62.8% 9,188	35.2% 5,160	2.0% 294
2016	59.5% 8,232	33.8% 4,678	6.8% 934
2012	49.5% 6,940	48.9% 6,862	1.6% 221
2008	47.0% 6,447	51.5% 7,058	1.6% 212
2004	49.3% 6,658	50.0% 6,747	0.7% 96
2000	46.5% 5,468	50.3% 5,915	3.3% 383
1996	37.3% 3,835	54.0% 5,546	8.7% 898
1992	33.2% 3,469	42.8% 4,467	24.0% 2,503
1988	40.2% 4,011	58.9% 5,873	0.9% 93
1984	52.1% 5,566	46.8% 4,993	1.1% 119
1980	50.1% 5,329	39.7% 4,223	10.2% 1,083
1976	46.9% 5,014	51.5% 5,514	1.6% 175
1972	54.1% 5,273	43.9% 4,282	2.0% 194
1968	52.1% 5,016	40.9% 3,944	7.0% 675
1964	34.2% 3,453	65.6% 6,614	0.2% 17
1960	56.3% 5,972	43.6% 4,620	0.1% 9
1956	56.3% 5,634	39.4% 3,946	4.3% 426
1952	59.1% 6,316	35.8% 3,831	5.1% 542
1948	45.1% 3,770	50.3% 4,209	4.6% 388
1944	48.4% 4,378	51.1% 4,619	0.5% 42
1940	49.6% 5,298	50.2% 5,363	0.3% 32
1936	41.7% 4,144	56.4% 5,606	1.9% 184
1932	34.9% 3,424	61.8% 6,070	3.3% 325
1928	62.7% 5,669	36.6% 3,307	0.8% 69
1924	58.1% 5,314	16.0% 1,459	25.9% 2,369
1920	71.0% 6,539	25.5% 2,343	3.5% 325
1916	54.2% 3,189	43.4% 2,556	2.4% 143
1912	31.5% 1,831	42.6% 2,472	25.9% 1,505
1908	55.1% 3,180	41.9% 2,418	3.0% 175
1904	61.1% 3,609	34.8% 2,057	4.1% 241
1900	56.9% 3,609	40.6% 2,575	2.5% 160
1896	57.5% 3,604	40.8% 2,560	1.7% 104

show v t Municipalities and communities of Benton County, Iowa, United States
County seat: Vinton
Cities	Atkins Belle Plaine Blairstown Garrison Keystone Luzerne Mount Auburn Newhall Norway Shellsburg Urbana Van Horne Vinton Walford‡
Townships	Benton Big Grove Bruce Canton Cedar Eden Eldorado Florence Fremont Harrison Homer Iowa Jackson Kane Leroy Monroe Polk St. Clair Taylor Union
CDP	Watkins
Unincorporated communities	Irving Rogersville Spencers Grove
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
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