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CITY

Benton

Kentucky · 4,718 residents (2025 est.) · 5.085 sq mi
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The short version

Benton has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $66,827. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $157,000.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,748
+13%since 2000
from 4,197 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
934 / sq mi
+13%since 2000
from 825 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.2
+1%since 2000
from 42.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,718 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K5K5K1990201020202024Benton
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$66,827
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,250 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,643
+64%since 2000
from $18,660 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
45.4%
+27.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.4%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 10.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.376
−20%since 2010
from 0.467 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information16.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services10.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food6.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Retail trade5.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration4.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$157,000
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$787
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $387 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
78.7%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 72.0% in 2000
21.3% rent
Vacancy rate
9.5%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.3%
−6.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
76.5%
+17.8 ptssince 2009
from 58.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.3
+12%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
54
RELATED:See current rent listings in Benton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.5%(4,090)
Black0.6%(26)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(38)
Asian0.3%(14)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.6%(194)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.4%(4,195)
Black1.5%(72)
Hispanic / Latino3.6%(170)
Asian2.1%(102)
Other4.4%(209)
Diversity Score26.9%(1,279)
Diversity Score
27
+483%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 18.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.7%
+22.0 ptssince 2000
from 73.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.8%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.2 min
+87%since 2000
from 14.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.9%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 84.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.1%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
13.4%
+10.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.8%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2011
from 2.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.4%
+9.8 ptssince 2011
from 50.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.1%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.2%
−34.7 ptssince 2009
from 63.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Female
51.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.4%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.9%
−40.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2012
from 14.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.1%
−83.9 ptssince 2013
from 90.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.0%
+16.5 ptssince 2017
from 71.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.3%
−2.1 ptssince 2016
from 99.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2016
from 0.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Benton, Kentucky?

Benton, Kentucky has about 4,748 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Benton, Kentucky?

The typical household in Benton, Kentucky earns about $66,827 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Benton, Kentucky expensive?

In Benton, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $157,000, and the typical rent is about $787 a month.

How educated are people in Benton, Kentucky?

About 20.1% of adults age 25 and over in Benton, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Benton, Kentucky?

About 11.4% of people in Benton, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Benton, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Benton, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 849 residents, a change of about 22 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →