County · North Dakota
Benson County, North Dakota
Benson County, North Dakota. Benson County had 5,759 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.4% since 2020, while North Dakota grew 2.6%. It holds 47 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs, 37 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 38005.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,759
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,964 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,808
Median household income
$64,033
±$5,343 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $76,657
Median home value
$90,000
±$18,066 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $249,900
Median gross rent
$588
±$85 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $954
How many people live in Benson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,964 residents in Benson County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,759 for July 1, 2025, down 3.4% since 2020, while North Dakota grew 2.6%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,808 over 1,389 square miles of land.
| Measure | Benson County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,808 | 784,841 | −1,065 |
| Households | 2,025±90 | 331,063 | −223 |
| Average household size | 2.86±0.13 | 2.28 | −0.19 |
| Housing units | 2,536±29 | 377,281 | −523 |
Benson County's population since 2000
From 6,964 in 2000 to 5,759 in 2025: down 17.3%. 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 Benson County?
Benson County holds 47 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 37 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Fort Totten with 1,038 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Fort TottenGEOID 3827700 | 1,160 | $20,250 |
|---|---|---|
| Mission Township | 935 | $43,625 |
| Wood Lake Township | 471 | $73,516 |
| Leeds | 442 | $86,172 |
| Maddock | 402 | $44,219 |
| Lallie TownshipGEOID 3800544420 | 325 | not published |
| Minnewaukan | 199 | $36,818 |
| OberonGEOID 3859020 | 101 | not published |
| EsmondGEOID 3824780 | 91 | $15,179 |
| Twin Tree TownshipGEOID 3800580420 | 83 | $72,500 |
| Lohnes TownshipGEOID 3800547620 | 78 | $168,333 |
| Warwick TownshipGEOID 3800583620 | 67 | $66,667 |
| Oberon TownshipGEOID 3800559060 | 62 | $89,167 |
| Broe TownshipGEOID 3800509740 | 58 | not published |
| North Viking TownshipGEOID 3800558180 | 57 | not published |
| WarwickGEOID 3883580 | 55 | $45,625 |
| Rock Township, Benson CountyGEOID 3800567300 | 54 | $54,750 |
| Arne TownshipGEOID 3800503180 | 54 | not published |
| Butte Valley TownshipGEOID 3800511260 | 50 | $90,694 |
| Albert TownshipGEOID 3800500980 | 48 | not published |
| Leeds TownshipGEOID 3800545620 | 45 | $94,063 |
| Pleasant Lake TownshipGEOID 3800563200 | 45 | not published |
| Irvine TownshipGEOID 3800540220 | 45 | not published |
| South Viking TownshipGEOID 3800574380 | 39 | not published |
| Hesper TownshipGEOID 3800537660 | 37 | $89,375 |
| Twin Lake TownshipGEOID 3800580380 | 36 | not published |
| West Bay TownshipGEOID 3800584620 | 35 | $93,750 |
| Riggin TownshipGEOID 3800566820 | 35 | $120,417 |
| York TownshipGEOID 3800587900 | 35 | $103,750 |
| Esmond TownshipGEOID 3800524820 | 35 | not published |
| Impark TownshipGEOID 3800539860 | 33 | not published |
| BrinsmadeGEOID 3809460 | 30 | not published |
| West Antelope TownshipGEOID 3800584540 | 30 | $88,750 |
| Isabel TownshipGEOID 3800540260 | 30 | not published |
| Iowa TownshipGEOID 3800540180 | 30 | not published |
| Rich Valley TownshipGEOID 3800566660 | 29 | $121,563 |
| Beaver TownshipGEOID 3800505620 | 29 | not published |
| Eldon TownshipGEOID 3800522780 | 28 | $103,269 |
| Knox TownshipGEOID 3800543300 | 28 | $188,365 |
| Minco TownshipGEOID 3800553060 | 25 | not published |
| Normania TownshipGEOID 3800557580 | 25 | $71,250 |
| McClellan TownshipGEOID 3800548980 | 25 | $65,000 |
| KnoxGEOID 3843260 | 22 | $61,250 |
| East Fork Township, Benson CountyGEOID 3800521620 | 21 | not published |
| Aurora TownshipGEOID 3800503860 | 18 | not published |
| YorkGEOID 3887860 | 17 | not published |
| Lake Ibsen TownshipGEOID 3800543900 | 14 | not published |
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 Benson County?
The median resident of Benson County is 32.6 years old; 33.5% are under 18 and 15.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 50.3%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 42.7%. 1.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Benson County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.6±0.5 | 35.9 | +2.1 |
| Under 18 years | 33.5%±0.3 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.9%±0.1 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.9% | 4.7% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 42.7%±0.2 pts | 81.7% | +2.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 50.3%±1.7 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6%±1.6 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.6%±0.7 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.1%±1.7 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6%±1.5 pts | 7.1% | – |
| With a disability | 13.1%±1.6 pts | 12.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.4%±2.8 pts | 6.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.6%±2.2 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.9%±2.8 pts | 32.7% | +5.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.0%±1.7 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 4.2% | – |
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 Benson County earn?
Half of Benson County's 2,025 households earn less than $64,033 a year (±$5,343), against $76,657 in North Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $58,663 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 25.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Benson County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $64,033±$5,343 | $76,657 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $81,345±$9,354 | $101,793 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,991±$2,762 | $43,389 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 25.6%±5.1 pts | 10.8% | −6.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 31.0%±8.7 pts | 11.1% | −17.9 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.5%±4.0 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.9%±3.2 pts | 88.7% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 73.1% of Benson County's occupied homes and renters 26.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $90,000 by its owner (±$18,066). The median renter pays $588 a month including utilities, and 27.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Benson County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $90,000±$18,066 | $249,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $588±$85 | $954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 27.0%±9.9 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,611±$139 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.1%±3.5 pts | 62.9% | +6.1 pts |
| Housing units | 2,536±29 | 377,281 | −523 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.8 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.4%±3.1 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.1%±3.3 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 14.9%±3.2 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.2%±2.7 pts | 11.5% | – |
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 Benson County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Benson County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 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 Benson County get to work?
73.9% of Benson County's workers drive alone and 4.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 16.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.4%.
| Measure | Benson County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.0%±3.5 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4%±1.7 pts | 2.8% | −2.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 73.9%±3.6 pts | 77.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.9%±2.7 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 7.4%±2.8 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.7%±1.4 pts | 8.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.1 min±1.5 | 17.9 min | −2.2 min |
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 Benson County's census tracts?
Benson County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $48,125 (Tract 9401) to $68,512 (Tract 9567).
| Tract 940138005940100 | 1,954±226 | $48,125 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 940238005940200 | 2,031±229 | $65,625 |
| Tract 956738005956700 | 1,823±106 | $68,512 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Benson County compare with North Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 21st of 53 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 37th of 53 |
| Residents per square mile | 24th of 53 |
| Median household income | 42nd of 53 |
| Median home value | 51st of 53 |
| Median gross rent | 46th of 53 |
| Poverty rate | 2nd of 53 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 42nd of 53 |
| Median age | 48th of 53 |
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 Benson 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.