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Benson, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Benson is a small town in Illinois with a population of 482. Residents earn $74,886 per year, which is 0% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
482 Population 3,013/sq mi density
$74,886 Median Income $39,257 per capita
$118,200 Home Value $165,828 Zillow
$975 Median Rent 23.1% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$74,886 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$118,200 home value, $975/mo rent
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
13.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $74,886
0% lower than US avg
Home Value $118,200
58% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.0%
61% lower than US avg
Median Rent $975
16% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.5%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.8%
77% lower than US avg

How Benson Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population482
Median Age45.5 yrs
Density3,013/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans12.6%

Economy

A+
Median Income$74,886
Per Capita$39,257
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty2.8%
County GDP$1,783M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$118,200
Rent$975
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$165,828
Housing Units186
Rent Burden23.1%

Health

Obesity38.5%
Uninsured7.8%
Smoking14.9%
Depression24.0%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F (11°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.7 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation764 ft (233 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.0%
High School+96.0%
Graduate+2.7%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute25 min
Broadband89.7%
Libraries9

Is Benson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Benson receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Benson offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Benson is $74,886, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. Only 2.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Benson is $118,200, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $975 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

13.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Benson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.7 inches, including 21.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Benson has a population of 482 with a density of 3,013 people per square mile. The median age is 45.5 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.7%), with 1.7% Black.

Population

482
Total Population
3,013
People / sq mi
45.5yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.2%
Female 50.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Benson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.8%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.2%
76% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Benson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Benson is $74,886, which is 0% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Benson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$74,886
0% below US avg
Per Capita Income$39,257
Avg Weekly Wage$1,058
IRS Avg AGI$97,599

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.8%
77% below US avg
Establishments (County)803
County GDP$1,783M

Business (County)

Restaurants56
Healthcare42
Retail100
Manufacturing46

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,738
93% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.70%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.4 min
Drive Alone87.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Benson is $118,200, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $975 (16% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $165,828.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$118,200
58% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$165,828

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$975
16% below US avg
Rent Burden23.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied96.1%
Housing Units186
Median Year Built1953

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,738
93% above US avg
Effective Rate5.70%
In Benson, 38.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.8% of residents lack health insurance. 14.9% are current smokers. 24.0% report depression. 21.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Benson vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.5%
20% above US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure30.5%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.5%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.9%
6% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.2%
Physical Inactivity21.8%
Depression24.0%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress12.6%
Short Sleep35.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.2%
Uninsured7.8%
9% below US avg
Primary Care1:2,249
Dentists1:5,447
Mental Health1:2,252
Checkup Rate75.2%
Dental Visits63.6%
Premature Death5,803/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access74.8%
Healthcare Facilities42
Benson has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.7 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.3°F
5% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.7 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall21.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation764 ft (233 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density3,013/sq mi
Coordinates40.8507°N, 89.1211°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17203
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 13.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (61% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.1-point margin. 89.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.3%
D 28.2%

Winner: Republican by 42.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.0%
61% below US avg
High School+96.0%
Graduate Degree+2.7%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density3,013/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.7%
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities42
Restaurants56
Retail Stores100

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.4 min
Drive Alone87.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.3%

Nearby Cities

Roanoke, IL 1,987 pop · 5.5 mi Minonk, IL 1,909 pop · 6.0 mi El Paso, IL 2,871 pop · 9.3 mi Washburn, IL 1,026 pop · 10.1 mi Toluca, IL 1,313 pop · 10.6 mi Eureka, IL 5,095 pop · 12.5 mi Metamora, IL 4,094 pop · 13.5 mi Wenona, IL 1,006 pop · 14.1 mi Gridley, IL 1,339 pop · 14.6 mi Hudson, IL 2,048 pop · 18.3 mi Germantown Hills, IL 3,425 pop · 19.0 mi Lacon, IL 1,768 pop · 19.1 mi Washington, IL 15,946 pop · 19.1 mi Chillicothe, IL 6,185 pop · 20.4 mi
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