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Benton County, Iowa

Coordinates: 42°04′47″N 92°04′03″W / 42.07972°N 92.06750°W / 42.07972; -92.06750
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Benton, Iowa.

Benton County
County
Benton County Courthouse
Benton County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Benton County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°04′47″N 92°04′03″W / 42.079722222222°N 92.0675°W / 42.079722222222; -92.0675
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1837
Named forThomas Hart Benton
SeatVinton
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 zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.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.

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

History

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

Geography

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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

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850672—
18608,4961,164.3%
187022,454164.3%
188024,88810.8%
189024,178−2.9%
190025,1774.1%
191023,156−8.0%
192024,0804.0%
193022,851−5.1%
194022,8790.1%
195022,656−1.0%
196023,4223.4%
197022,885−2.3%
198023,6493.3%
199022,429−5.2%
200025,30812.8%
201026,0763.0%
202025,575−1.9%
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

2020 census

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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

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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.[12]

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

2000 census

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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

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Cities

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Townships

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Benton County is divided into twenty townships:

Census-designated place

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Population ranking

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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

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United States presidential election results for Benton County, Iowa[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 9,188 62.75% 5,160 35.24% 294 2.01%
2016 8,232 59.46% 4,678 33.79% 934 6.75%
2012 6,940 49.49% 6,862 48.93% 221 1.58%
2008 6,447 47.00% 7,058 51.45% 212 1.55%
2004 6,658 49.31% 6,747 49.97% 96 0.71%
2000 5,468 46.47% 5,915 50.27% 383 3.26%
1996 3,835 37.31% 5,546 53.95% 898 8.74%
1992 3,469 33.23% 4,467 42.79% 2,503 23.98%
1988 4,011 40.20% 5,873 58.87% 93 0.93%
1984 5,566 52.13% 4,993 46.76% 119 1.11%
1980 5,329 50.11% 4,223 39.71% 1,083 10.18%
1976 5,014 46.85% 5,514 51.52% 175 1.64%
1972 5,273 54.09% 4,282 43.92% 194 1.99%
1968 5,016 52.06% 3,944 40.93% 675 7.01%
1964 3,453 34.24% 6,614 65.59% 17 0.17%
1960 5,972 56.33% 4,620 43.58% 9 0.08%
1956 5,634 56.31% 3,946 39.44% 426 4.26%
1952 6,316 59.09% 3,831 35.84% 542 5.07%
1948 3,770 45.06% 4,209 50.30% 388 4.64%
1944 4,378 48.43% 4,619 51.10% 42 0.46%
1940 5,298 49.55% 5,363 50.15% 32 0.30%
1936 4,144 41.72% 5,606 56.43% 184 1.85%
1932 3,424 34.87% 6,070 61.82% 325 3.31%
1928 5,669 62.68% 3,307 36.56% 69 0.76%
1924 5,314 58.13% 1,459 15.96% 2,369 25.91%
1920 6,539 71.02% 2,343 25.45% 325 3.53%
1916 3,189 54.16% 2,556 43.41% 143 2.43%
1912 1,831 31.53% 2,472 42.56% 1,505 25.91%
1908 3,180 55.08% 2,418 41.88% 175 3.03%
1904 3,609 61.10% 2,057 34.82% 241 4.08%
1900 3,609 56.89% 2,575 40.59% 160 2.52%
1896 3,604 57.50% 2,560 40.84% 104 1.66%

Education

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School districts:[15]

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

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "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.[dead link‍]
  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″N 92°04′03″W / 42.07972°N 92.06750°W / 42.07972; -92.06750

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