COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Benton County

Iowa · 22,429 residents · 716.102 sq mi

Time machine

VIEWING

COMPARE TO

The short version

Benton County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $25,959. Population has declined 11% since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $37,800.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $30,130

Mid-age

median age 34.7

US median: 33.0

Less educated

10% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

More affordable

home values down 42%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

22,429

−11%vs 2000

vs 25,308 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

31 / sq mi

−11%vs 2000

vs 35 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

34.7

−7%vs 2000

vs 37.2 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

202426K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$25,959

−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $42,427 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$11,373

−40%vs 2000

vs $18,891 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

11.4%

+5.3 ptsvs 2000

vs 6.1% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$37,800

−42%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $85,800 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$281

−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $385 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

74.8%

−4.6 ptsvs 2000

vs 79.4% in 2000

25.2% rent

Afford Score

1.5

−28%vs 2000

vs 2.0 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Benton County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic98.4%(24,894)

Black0.2%(50)

Hispanic / Latino0.6%(156)

Asian0.2%(42)

Other0%

Diversity Score2.4%(620)

1990

White, non-Hispanic99.4%(22,304)

Black0%(10)

Hispanic / Latino0.2%(46)

Asian0.3%(75)

Other0.2%(40)

Diversity Score1.9%(424)

Diversity Score

−23%vs 2000

vs 2 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

9.6%

−4.3 ptsvs 2000

vs 13.9% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

78.2%

−9.6 ptsvs 2000

vs 87.8% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

2.4%

−1.3 ptsvs 2000

vs 3.7% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

29.8 min

+75%vs 2000

vs 17.0 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Benton County

Head to head

Compare Benton County to nearby counties

BENTON COUNTY VS

Linn County

Income$77,649+199%

Home value$214,300+467%

Population232,028+792%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

BENTON COUNTY VS

Tama County

Income$70,781+173%

Home value$148,600+293%

Population16,796−35%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

BENTON COUNTY VS

Iowa County

Income$71,223+174%

Home value$193,900+413%

Population16,504−37%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

BENTON COUNTY VS

Buchanan County

Income$78,236+201%

Home value$176,000+366%

Population20,883−20%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Benton County, Iowa?

Benton County, Iowa has about 22,429 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Benton County, Iowa?

The typical household in Benton County, Iowa earns about $25,959 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Benton County, Iowa expensive?

In Benton County, Iowa, the median home is worth about $37,800, and the typical rent is about $281 a month.

How educated are people in Benton County, Iowa?

About 9.6% of adults age 25 and over in Benton County, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Benton County, Iowa?

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

Keep going

Explore from here

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

How we source and harmonize this data →