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CITY · 2020 ACS

Benson

Minnesota · 3,480 residents · 3.177 sq mi
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The short version

Benson has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $44,167. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $117,200. Households here earn about 40% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,480
+3%since 2000
from 3,376 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,095 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 1,063 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.5
+4%since 2000
from 41.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K3K4K1990201020202024Benson
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,167
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,234 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,586
+83%since 2000
from $17,269 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
30.8%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade15.9%
US avg: 10%
Information13.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance9.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services8.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical7.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration5.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade3.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food3%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$117,200
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$734
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $349 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
61.5%
−9.2 ptssince 2000
from 70.6% in 2000
38.5% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+34%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Benson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.6%(3,294)
Black0.2%(8)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(40)
Asian0.2%(8)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.1%(139)
2020
White, non-Hispanic87.5%(3,045)
Black1.5%(51)
Hispanic / Latino7%(245)
Asian1.1%(40)
Other1.2%(42)
Diversity Score25.4%(883)
Diversity Score
25
+515%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.3%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 20.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.2%
+14.7 ptssince 2000
from 78.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.3 min
+63%since 2000
from 11.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.9%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 81.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.8%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 2.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 64.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.2%
−22.7 ptssince 2009
from 54.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Female
50.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.2%
−91.1 ptssince 2013
from 92.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Benson to nearby cities

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BENSON VS
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BENSON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Benson, Minnesota?

Benson, Minnesota has about 3,480 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Benson, Minnesota?

The typical household in Benson, Minnesota earns about $44,167 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Benson, Minnesota expensive?

In Benson, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $117,200, and the typical rent is about $734 a month.

How educated are people in Benson, Minnesota?

About 27.3% of adults age 25 and over in Benson, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Benson, Minnesota?

About 8.6% of people in Benson, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Benson, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Benson, Minnesota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 245 residents, a change of about 8 percent over that period.

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

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