County · Missouri
Benton County, Missouri
Benton County, Missouri. Benton County had 20,536 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.9% since 2020, faster than Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 6 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 29015.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,536
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,394 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,151
Median household income
$52,567
±$3,278 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$177,900
±$14,266 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$773
±$55 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Benton County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 19,394 residents in Benton County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,536 for July 1, 2025, up 5.9% since 2020, faster than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 20,151 over 704 square miles of land.
| Measure | Benton County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,151 | 6,191,814 | +1,044 |
| Households | 8,573±303 | 2,508,227 | +701 |
| Average household size | 2.31±0.08 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,594±37 | 2,825,287 | −640 |
Benton County's population since 2000
From 17,180 in 2000 to 20,536 in 2025: up 19.5%. 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 6 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Warsaw with 2,338 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 54.5 years old; 17.3% are under 18 and 31.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.1%. 0.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Benton County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 54.5±0.3 | 39.0 | +0.9 |
| Under 18 years | 17.3%±0.4 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 31.4%±0.3 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.0% | 5.2% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.6%±1.2 pts | 76.3% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 2.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.1%±1.2 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.9%±0.7 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.0%±1.5 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 24.8%±2.6 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.2%±1.6 pts | 8.8% | −2.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.9%±1.9 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.0%±2.0 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.1%±1.4 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±0.9 pts | 2.5% | – |
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 8,573 households earn less than $52,567 a year (±$3,278), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $49,534 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Benton County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,567±$3,278 | $70,702 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $70,221±$8,250 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,477±$5,132 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.9%±3.2 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 27.8%±8.1 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.5%±2.5 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.3%±3.0 pts | 89.3% | – |
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 83.8% of Benton County's occupied homes and renters 16.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $177,900 by its owner (±$14,266). The median renter pays $773 a month including utilities, and 43.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Benton County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $177,900±$14,266 | $230,300 | +$33,293 |
| Median gross rent | $773±$55 | $1,033 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.3%±10.2 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,160±$54 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.8%±2.4 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,594±37 | 2,825,287 | −640 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.7%±3.8 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.1%±2.3 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 21.0%±2.3 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.3%±0.9 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.1%±1.1 pts | 13.3% | – |
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 4 new housing units across Benton County in 2025 (4 single-family), 0.2 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?
76.6% of Benton County's workers drive alone and 7.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Benton County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 42.7%±2.4 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±1.8 pts | 4.0% | −4.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.6%±3.4 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.5%±2.9 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 2.0%±1.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.6%±1.9 pts | 13.0% | +2.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.5 min±3.1 | 23.5 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 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $35,968 (Tract 4608.02) to $62,273 (Tract 4602).
| Tract 460129015460100 | 3,387±377 | $57,436 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 460229015460200 | 2,775±338 | $62,273 |
| Tract 460329015460300 | 4,764±467 | $47,831 |
| Tract 460429015460400 | 2,313±317 | $51,534 |
| Tract 4607.0129015460701 | 1,086±181 | $61,607 |
| Tract 4607.0229015460702 | 1,998±266 | $51,676 |
| Tract 4608.0129015460801 | 1,411±204 | $53,102 |
| Tract 4608.0229015460802 | 2,417±319 | $35,968 |
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 Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 55th of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 16th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 63rd of 115 |
| Median household income | 90th of 115 |
| Median home value | 44th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 53rd of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 15th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 94th of 115 |
| Median age | 3rd of 115 |
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.