Benton, Arkansas

Benton is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Arkansas, United States and a suburb of Little Rock. It was established in 1837.[4] At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 35,014, making it the 12th most populous city in Arkansas.[5] It is part of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city of Benton, first settled in 1833 and named after Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton, was formally chartered in 1836 when Arkansas became a state.[6]

For the city of a similar name, see Bentonville, Arkansas. For the county of the same name, see Benton County, Arkansas.
Benton, Arkansas
City
Saline County Courthouse, located in the heart of downtown Benton.
Saline County Courthouse, located in the heart of downtown Benton.
Location in Saline County and the state of Arkansas
Location in Saline County and the state of Arkansas
Benton, Arkansas is located in the United States
Benton, Arkansas
Benton, Arkansas
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 34°34′15″N 92°34′37″W
Country United States
State Arkansas
CountySaline
Government
 • TypeMayor-Council
 • MayorTom Farmer
 • City CouncilFrank Baptist
Kerry Murphy
Charles Cunningham
Joe Lee Richards
Bill Donnor
Jerry Ponder
Brad Moore
James Herzfeld
Steve Lee
Lori Terrell
Area
[1]
 • Total23.42 sq mi (60.65 km2)
 • Land22.88 sq mi (59.27 km2)
 • Water0.54 sq mi (1.39 km2)
Elevation
[2]
407 ft (124 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total35,014
 • Density1,530.06/sq mi (590.77/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
72015, 72018-19, 72158
Area code501
FIPS code05-05290[3]
GNIS feature ID0046394[2]
Websitewww.bentonar.org

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.4 square miles (48 km2), of which 17.9 square miles (46 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (2.71%) is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Benton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[7]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880452—
189064743.1%
19001,02558.4%
19101,70866.6%
19202,93371.7%
19303,44517.5%
19403,5021.7%
19506,27779.2%
196010,39965.7%
197016,49958.7%
198017,7177.4%
199018,1772.6%
200021,90620.5%
201030,68140.1%
202035,01414.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
Benton racial composition[9]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 27,156 77.56%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 3,441 9.83%
Native American 158 0.45%
Asian 488 1.39%
Pacific Islander 11 0.03%
Other/Mixed 1,730 4.94%
Hispanic or Latino 2,030 5.8%

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 35,014 people, 13,082 households, and 8,913 families residing in the city.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 21,906 people in 8,713 households, including 6,186 families, in the city. The population density was 1,221.2 inhabitants per square mile (471.5/km2). There were 9,315 housing units at an average density of 519.3 per square mile (200.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.81% White, 4.46% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.75% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 1.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[3] Of the 8,713 households 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.

The age distribution was 25.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median household income was $41,503 and the median family income was $51,064. Males had a median income of $32,493 versus $22,386 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,797. About 5.8% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.9% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public education for early childhood, elementary and secondary students is provided by:[10]

A small area near Frontage Road to the southeast is physically in the Harmony Grove School District, which operates Benton Harmony Grove High School.

Notable people

References
  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Benton, Arkansas
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  6. "Benton (Saline County)". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. The Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  7. "Benton, Arkansas Koppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  10. "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Saline County, AR" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  11. "Kenneth L. Henderson". intelius.com. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
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