County · Iowa
Benton County, Iowa
Benton County, Iowa. Benton County had 26,004 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.6% since 2020, in line with Iowa (+1.5%). It holds 15 places (14 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 19011.
Benton County is one of the 3 counties of the Cedar Rapids, IA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
26,004
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 25,575 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,724
Median household income
$86,962
±$3,238 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$208,200
±$11,797 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$826
±$142 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Benton County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 25,575 residents in Benton County. The Census Bureau estimates 26,004 for July 1, 2025, up 1.6% since 2020, in line with Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 25,724 over 716 square miles of land.
| Measure | Benton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 25,724 | 3,210,507 | +88 |
| Households | 10,202±191 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.49±0.05 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,114±31 | 1,437,699 | no clear change |
Benton County's population since 2000
From 25,308 in 2000 to 26,004 in 2025: up 2.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Benton County?
Benton County holds 15 places: 14 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Vinton with 5,004 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Vinton | 4,938 | $66,495 |
|---|---|---|
| Belle Plaine | 2,330 | $73,656 |
| Atkins | 2,056 | $112,138 |
| Urbana | 1,554 | $115,655 |
| Shellsburg | 961 | $70,179 |
| Walford | 1,366 | $128,750 |
| Newhall | 876 | $67,443 |
| Van Horne | 774 | $77,344 |
| Blairstown | 713 | $79,375 |
| Keystone | 599 | $67,500 |
| Norway | 466 | $76,667 |
| Garrison | 344 | $60,313 |
| Mount AuburnGEOID 1954435 | 162 | $79,000 |
| WatkinsGEOID 1982515 | 116 | $96,296 |
| LuzerneGEOID 1947505 | 112 | $100,357 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Benton County?
The median resident of Benton County is 43.1 years old; 22.9% are under 18 and 19.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.4%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.8%. 0.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Benton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.1±0.7 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.9% | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.8%±0.1 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.0% | 7.3% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.4%±0.4 pts | 82.3% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.8%±0.4 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.3%±0.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.7%±1.1 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 11.2%±1.1 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.0%±0.8 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.2%±1.0 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.6%±2.0 pts | 31.4% | +3.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.2%±1.2 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 2.2% | – |
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 Benton County earn?
Half of Benton County's 10,202 households earn less than $86,962 a year (±$3,238), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $83,354 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Benton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $86,962±$3,238 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $101,158±$4,042 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,865±$1,515 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.4%±1.1 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.5%±1.7 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.8%±1.2 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.5%±1.6 pts | 88.9% | – |
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 Benton County?
Owners occupy 85.0% of Benton County's occupied homes and renters 15.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $208,200 by its owner (±$11,797). The median renter pays $826 a month including utilities, and 27.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Benton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $208,200±$11,797 | $208,000 | +$14,735 |
| Median gross rent | $826±$142 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 27.3%±8.4 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,524±$77 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 85.0%±1.8 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,114±31 | 1,437,699 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.9%±4.2 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 88.8%±1.8 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.9%±1.3 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 33.6%±2.1 pts | 23.5% | – |
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 Benton County building?
Builders took permits for 28 new housing units across Benton County in 2025 (28 single-family), 1.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Benton County get to work?
78.0% of Benton County's workers drive alone and 11.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.0%.
| Measure | Benton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.4%±1.6 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.0%±0.8 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.0%±2.3 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.7%±1.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.5%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.5%±1.5 pts | 11.3% | +7.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.9 min±1.1 | 19.8 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 are Benton County's census tracts?
Benton County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $66,114 (Tract 9603) to $113,398 (Tract 9601).
| Tract 960119011960100 | 3,020±246 | $113,398 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960219011960200 | 3,108±225 | $99,009 |
| Tract 960319011960300 | 5,178±158 | $66,114 |
| Tract 960419011960400 | 3,175±334 | $94,757 |
| Tract 960519011960500 | 5,901±304 | $103,545 |
| Tract 960619011960600 | 2,747±194 | $83,203 |
| Tract 960719011960700 | 2,595±232 | $74,811 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Benton County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 25th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 15th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 34th of 99 |
| Median household income | 6th of 99 |
| Median home value | 21st of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 49th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 86th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25th of 99 |
| Median age | 34th of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Benton County 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' school search.