City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Benson, MN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Benson - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

3,449
Residents
$51,124
Median income
$146,100
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Benson - the verdict

Benson ranks in the 21st percentile for household income and the 94th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

21st
percentile, household income
26th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
94th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Benson, MN

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 3,449 residents in Benson, a small town within Minnesota. Median household income here is $51,124 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.5%. Home values in Benson run a median of $146,100, and the median resident age is 40.9 years. Educational attainment runs 29.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 55.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 6 residential building permits were authorized in Benson (Low Activity), per Census BPS data. Benson reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 262.8 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Benson's yearly average temperature at 43.7°F with 28.1 inches of precipitation per year and 42.6 inches of snowfall.

Minnesota tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $973 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Minnesota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 19.6 minutes, with 84.7% driving alone and 1.1% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 25.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

3,449 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$51,124 /yr

Poverty 4.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Benson compare to other US cities?

Here's how Benson stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 21% higher than other cities
Home value 26% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 94% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Minnesota and the picture shifts: Benson ranks #36 of 229 Minnesota cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Benson's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Minnesota, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

21stIncome percentile
94thSafety percentile

21st percentile nationally for median household income · 94th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Benson's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Benson's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 65 Avg. percentile National median
Benson's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Benson's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$146,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 74% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Benson $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Benson, MN Benson, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Benson, MN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Benson, MN median $51,124/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Benson, MN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Benson, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
3,449
Median Income
$51,124
Median Home Value
$146,100
Median Age
40.9
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Labor force participation
55.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
262.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
204.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
58.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
43.7°F
Annual Precipitation
28.1"
Annual Snowfall
42.6"

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,400 residents3,420 residents3,440 residents3,460 residents3,480 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,469 residents 3,444 residents ▼ -0.7%
Benson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
6
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
6
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 10
2023 2
2024 6

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.6 minutes
Drive Alone
84.7%
Carpool
4.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
7.0%
Work from Home
1.1%
Other
2.8%

Based on 1,497 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Minnesota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Minnesota state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Minnesota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Benson sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
25.1 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Sleepy Eye
3,438 people
Eveleth
3,470 people
Hanover
3,495 people
Plainview
3,501 people
Breckenridge
3,369 people
Montgomery
3,366 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Benson's 3,449 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Mount Olive CDP (Jefferson County), AL
3,449 people
Goulding, FL
3,448 people
Orange, OH
3,448 people
Blanchard, LA
3,452 people
Elma, WA
3,452 people
Tiger Point, FL
3,453 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Benson's $51,124 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Correctionville, IA
$51,125 median income
Spanish Lake, MO
$51,125 median income
Long Beach, WA
$51,125 median income
Franklin, NE
$51,121 median income
Seaford, DE
$51,120 median income
Hartley, IA
$51,118 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Benson, MN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Benson, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 92.8% 7.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.8% White 92.8% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 7.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Benson compares to nearby Minnesota cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Benson (this city) 3,449 $51,124
Sleepy Eye 3,438 $64,811
Eveleth 3,470 $47,721
Hanover 3,495 $147,944
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Benson, MN?

What is the population of Benson, MN? +

The population of Benson, MN stands at 3,449 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Benson, MN? +

Benson households earn a median of $51,124 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Benson? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Benson; the closest available measure is the Minnesota state average, a cost of living index of 98.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Minnesota vary by metro area.

Is Benson, MN safe? +

Benson has a total crime rate of 262.8 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Benson, MN? +

Homes in Benson carry a median value of $146,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Benson? +

Climate normals put Benson's yearly average temperature at 43.7°F, 28.1 inches of precipitation, and 42.6 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.