Town · North Carolina
Benson, North Carolina
Benson, town, in Johnston County, North Carolina. Benson had 4,660 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 17.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,967 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 4,282 (±22). GEOID 3705040.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
4,660
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,967 · ACS 2020-2024: 4,282 ±22
Median household income
$67,102
±$14,459 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$279,800
±$48,342 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,097
±$186 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Benson and what county is it in?
Benson is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina. It covers 3.0 square miles of land, 1,327 residents per square mile in 2020.
Benson is in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Johnston County | 3,967 | 100.0% |
| Harnett County | land only, no residents | – |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Benson, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 4,660 people lived in Benson on July 1, 2025, up 17.1% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 3,967 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 4,282 (±22).
| Measure | Benson | Johnston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 4,282 ±22 | 234,263 | +551 |
| Households | 1,767 ±261 | 85,591 | +458 |
| Average household size | 2.36 ±0.35 | 2.72 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,093 ±300 | 91,218 | +582 |
Benson's population since 2000
From 2,923 in 2000 to 4,660 in 2025: up 59.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Benson as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Benson?
The median resident of Benson is 35.6 years old; 24.0% are under 18 and 19.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 61.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 18.8%. 4.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Benson | Johnston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.6 ±3.2 | 38.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.0% ±7.3 pts | 24.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.1% ±6.1 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Male | 50.4% ±5.3 pts | 49.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 14.0% ±5.8 pts | 16.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 61.6% ±10.3 pts | 61.4% | +18.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 18.8% ±9.2 pts | 16.7% | −19.2 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.0 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.0 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.0 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.6% ±5.1 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.0 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.8% ±2.1 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.7% ±5.7 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0% ±4.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 13.0% ±4.7 pts | 13.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.0% ±3.7 pts | 10.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.0% ±5.3 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.5% ±8.9 pts | 28.9% | +11.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.5% ±3.9 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.0% ±5.2 pts | 90.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1% ±1.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Benson earn?
Half of Benson's 1,767 households earn less than $67,102 a year (±$14,459), against $83,384 in Johnston County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $43,856 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $23,246 after inflation. 14.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Benson | Johnston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,102 ±$14,459 | $83,384 | +$23,246 |
| Mean household income | $78,981 ±$12,121 | $103,515 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,040 ±$7,183 | $38,897 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.4% ±5.9 pts | 10.6% | −17.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 29.5% ±16.7 pts | 15.3% | −32.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.3% ±8.9 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.6% ±6.6 pts | 95.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.5% ±6.5 pts | 89.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Benson?
Owners occupy 54.6% of Benson's occupied homes and renters 45.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $279,800 by its owner (±$48,342). The median renter pays $1,097 a month including utilities, and 35.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Benson | Johnston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $279,800 ±$48,342 | $305,600 | +$142,701 |
| Median gross rent | $1,097 ±$186 | $1,146 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.9% ±16.6 pts | 37.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,386 ±$95 | $1,665 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.6% ±11.2 pts | 76.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 45.4% ±11.2 pts | 23.9% | – |
| Housing units | 2,093 ±300 | 91,218 | +582 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.4% ±4.0 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.4% ±8.9 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.8% ±8.5 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.9% ±3.0 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.7% ±2.3 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 17.7% ±7.8 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.7% ±6.0 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.5% ±5.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Benson building?
Benson last reported building permits to the Census Bureau for 2023.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Benson work and get to work?
74.2% of Benson's workers drive alone and 19.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.2 minutes.
| Measure | Benson | Johnston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.0% ±7.5 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% ±5.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 74.2% ±11.6 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.4% ±5.9 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±2.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±2.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.4% ±10.6 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.2 min ±4.9 | 32.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Benson?
1 census tract lies mostly in Benson, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 414.02Johnston County | 5,933 | $71,471 |
| Tract 414.01Johnston County | 3,066 | $72,372 |
| Tract 415.10Johnston County | 1,718 | $52,242 |
| Tract 704.02Harnett County | 7,474 | $55,786 |
| Tract 413.02Johnston County | 3,860 | $61,997 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Benson) · Census block assignment files
How does Benson compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Benson is the 5,100th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 162nd-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Benson ranks 196th of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 162nd | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 33rd | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 103rd | 443 |
| Median household income | 196th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 224th | 443 |
| Median home value | 180th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 161st | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 189th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 183rd | 421 |
| Median age | 369th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 332nd | 443 |
| Work from home | 87th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 83rd | 439 |
Benson's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Benson with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Benson?
15 of the 57 figures for Benson on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Benson are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Benson.