Benton County, Tennessee

Benton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,864.[2] Its county seat is Camden.[3] The county was created in December 1835 and organized in 1836.[4][5]

Not to be confused with Benton, Tennessee.

Benton County
County
Benton County Courthouse in Camden
Benton County Courthouse in Camden
Official seal of Benton County
Seal
Map of Tennessee highlighting Benton County
Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
Map of the United States highlighting Tennessee
Tennessee's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°04′N 88°04′W
Country United States
State Tennessee
Founded1835
Named forDavid Benton (early settler)[1]
SeatCamden
Largest cityCamden
Area
 • Total436 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Land394 sq mi (1,020 km2)
 • Water41 sq mi (110 km2)  9.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total15,864 Decrease
 • Density40.26/sq mi (15.54/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts7th, 8th
Websitewww.bentoncountytn.gov

Benton County is located in northwest Tennessee, bordering the western branch of the Tennessee River and 30 miles south of the Kentucky border. Aside from Camden, other major communities include agrarian communities Big Sandy and Holladay. It is known well in the area for its duck hunting and fishing industries, and in the past, was recognized for sorghum production, although it is no longer produced there.

History

Benton County was formed in 1835 from part of Humphreys County. It was named in honor of David Benton (1779–1860), who was an early settler in the county and a member of the Third Regiment, Tennessee Militia in the Creek War.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 436 square miles (1,130 km2), of which 394 square miles (1,020 km2) is land and 42 square miles (110 km2) (9.6%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

State protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18404,772—
18506,31532.3%
18608,46334.0%
18708,234−2.7%
18809,78018.8%
189011,23014.8%
190011,8885.9%
191012,4524.7%
192012,046−3.3%
193011,237−6.7%
194011,9766.6%
195011,495−4.0%
196010,662−7.2%
197012,12613.7%
198014,90122.9%
199014,524−2.5%
200016,53713.9%
201016,489−0.3%
202015,864−3.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[2]
Age pyramid Benton County[11]

2020 census
Benton County racial composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 14,378 90.63%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 316 1.99%
Native American 50 0.32%
Asian 107 0.67%
Pacific Islander 4 0.03%
Other/Mixed 634 4.0%
Hispanic or Latino 375 2.36%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 15,864 people, 6,762 households, and 3,832 families residing in the county.

2000 census

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 16,537 people, 6,863 households, and 4,886 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 people per square mile (16 people/km2). There were 8,595 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (8/2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.44% White, 2.10% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,863 households, out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.00% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 27.00% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,679, and the median income for a family was $32,727. Males had a median income of $29,177 versus $19,038 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,646. About 11.90% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.90% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

Of the 16,459 people living in Benton County 0.03 percent are on some form of state advised probation.

Media

Radio stations

Newspapers

The Camden Chronicle

  • Tennessee Magnet Publications

Communities

City

Town

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Politics
United States presidential election results for Benton County, Tennessee[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 5,668 78.07% 1,529 21.06% 63 0.87%
2016 4,716 74.53% 1,474 23.29% 138 2.18%
2012 3,850 61.84% 2,258 36.27% 118 1.90%
2008 3,696 57.05% 2,645 40.82% 138 2.13%
2004 3,161 44.58% 3,869 54.57% 60 0.85%
2000 2,484 39.36% 3,700 58.63% 127 2.01%
1996 2,395 32.15% 4,341 58.27% 714 9.58%
1992 1,625 26.58% 3,896 63.72% 593 9.70%
1988 2,167 43.26% 2,826 56.42% 16 0.32%
1984 2,481 42.07% 3,398 57.62% 18 0.31%
1980 2,281 36.83% 3,811 61.54% 101 1.63%
1976 1,678 28.90% 4,088 70.41% 40 0.69%
1972 2,614 61.83% 1,479 34.98% 135 3.19%
1968 1,468 30.70% 1,059 22.15% 2,255 47.16%
1964 1,363 34.30% 2,611 65.70% 0 0.00%
1960 1,773 45.20% 2,030 51.75% 120 3.06%
1956 1,279 36.22% 2,231 63.18% 21 0.59%
1952 1,304 34.57% 2,452 65.01% 16 0.42%
1948 908 32.57% 1,757 63.02% 123 4.41%
1944 1,195 38.25% 1,901 60.85% 28 0.90%
1940 858 29.82% 1,996 69.38% 23 0.80%
1936 661 27.21% 1,762 72.54% 6 0.25%
1932 455 22.51% 1,540 76.20% 26 1.29%
1928 949 43.08% 1,241 56.33% 13 0.59%
1924 714 38.53% 1,097 59.20% 42 2.27%
1920 1,514 44.04% 1,914 55.67% 10 0.29%
1916 805 37.58% 1,313 61.30% 24 1.12%
1912 652 31.56% 1,095 53.00% 319 15.44%

See also

References
  1. Johnathan K.T. Smith, "Benton County," Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved: 31 March 2013.
  2. "Benton County, Tennessee". quickfacts.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "Tennessee: Individual County Chronologies". Tennessee Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  5. "Benton County". Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Tennessee Historical Society. December 25, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  11. Based on 2000 census data
  12. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
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