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CITY

Benson

North Carolina · 4,660 residents (2025 est.) · 2.99 sq mi
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The short version

Benson has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $67,102. Population has grown 46% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $279,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 94%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,282
+46%since 2000
from 2,923 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,432 / sq mi
+46%since 2000
from 978 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.6
+4%since 2000
from 34.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,660 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K3K3K4K4K1990201020202024Benson
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$67,102
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,582 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,040
+130%since 2000
from $14,350 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
45.8%
+37.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.4%
−10.6 ptssince 2000
from 25.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.390
−6%since 2010
from 0.415 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information18.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services8.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration8.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade4.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1%
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
$279,800
+94%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,097
+42%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $425 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
54.6%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 47.6% in 2000
45.4% rent
Vacancy rate
15.6%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.6%
−18.1 ptssince 2009
from 34.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 42.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.2
+40%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
89
RELATED:See current rent listings in Benson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic56.6%(1,655)
Black34%(993)
Hispanic / Latino7.3%(213)
Asian0.4%(13)
Other0%
Diversity Score67.9%(1,986)
2024
White, non-Hispanic61.6%(2,637)
Black18.8%(807)
Hispanic / Latino14%(599)
Asian0%(0)
Other5.6%(239)
Diversity Score70.3%(3,011)
Diversity Score
70
+4%since 2000
from 68 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.5%
+14.2 ptssince 2000
from 15.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.0%
+20.2 ptssince 2000
from 66.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.5%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.2 min
+55%since 2000
from 18.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.2%
−9.8 ptssince 2009
from 84.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.4%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
19.4%
+18.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% 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
5.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.9%
−17.6 ptssince 2011
from 20.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2011
from 61.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.1%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.8%
−24.8 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.4%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
49.6%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
4.8%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.0%
−37.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.0%
−4.0 ptssince 2012
from 17.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.0%
−66.2 ptssince 2013
from 75.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.5%
+32.8 ptssince 2017
from 55.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
88.3%
+15.3 ptssince 2016
from 72.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
11.5%
−14.3 ptssince 2016
from 25.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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BENSON VS
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BENSON VS
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BENSON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Benson, North Carolina?

Benson, North Carolina has about 4,282 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Benson, North Carolina?

The typical household in Benson, North Carolina earns about $67,102 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Benson, North Carolina expensive?

In Benson, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $279,800, and the typical rent is about $1,097 a month.

How educated are people in Benson, North Carolina?

About 29.5% of adults age 25 and over in Benson, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Benson, North Carolina?

About 14.4% of people in Benson, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Benson, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Benson, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,882 residents, a change of about 78 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 →

Benson, North Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy