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Benton, CA

California

Benton is a small town in California with a population of 368. Residents earn $65,035 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
368 Population 13/sq mi density
$65,035 Median Income $22,960 per capita
$277,500 Home Value
44°F Avg Temperature 323 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$65,035 median income, 0.6% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$277,500 home value
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,035
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $277,500
2% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.2%
49% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.2%
0% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.7%
22% lower than US avg

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

People

Population368
Median Age49.4 yrs
Density13/mi²
Male / Female57% / 43%
Largest GroupWhite 66%
Veterans22.2%

Economy

A
Median Income$65,035
Per Capita$22,960
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty9.7%
County GDP$1,565M
Commute32 min

Housing

A
Home Value$277,500
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units172
Rent Burden23.6%

Health

Obesity32.2%
Uninsured7.0%
Smoking13.7%
Depression25.5%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F (7°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain23.7 in/yr
Sunny Days323/yr
Elevation5,367 ft (1,636 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.2%
High School+82.8%
Graduate+3.3%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 38% / D 58%
Commute32 min
Broadband97.9%
Libraries7

Is Benton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Benton receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage, strong internet connectivity. Benton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Benton is $65,035, 13% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. 9.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Benton is $277,500, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

17.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Benton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. With 323 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 23.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Benton has a population of 368 with a density of 13 people per square mile. The median age is 49.4 years, 27% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (66%), with 28% Hispanic.

Population

368
Total Population
13
People / sq mi
49.4yrs
Median Age
27% above US avg
28.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.8%
Female 43.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Benton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.2%
15% above US avg
Spanish9.8%
27% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Benton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Benton is $65,035, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Benton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,035
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,960
Avg Weekly Wage$1,010
IRS Avg AGI$85,469

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.7%
22% below US avg
Establishments (County)724
County GDP$1,565M

Business (County)

Restaurants162
Healthcare35
Retail74
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,611
117% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate2.74%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.9 min
Drive Alone83.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Benton is $277,500, 2% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$277,500
2% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden23.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied81.1%
Housing Units172
Median Year Built1991

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,611
117% above US avg
Effective Rate2.74%
In Benton, 32.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 7.0% of residents lack health insurance. 13.7% are current smokers. 25.5% report depression. 21.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.2%
0% below US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure29.4%
Asthma11.1%
COPD6.0%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.7%
2% below US avg
Binge Drinking18.7%
Physical Inactivity21.0%
Depression25.5%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress13.7%
Short Sleep34.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.2%
Uninsured7.0%
19% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,204
Dentists1:2,163
Mental Health1:436
Checkup Rate70.6%
Dental Visits63.8%
Premature Death4,739/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access68.3%
Healthcare Facilities35
Benton has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. Annual precipitation is 23.7 inches. The area enjoys 323 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average43.9°F
19% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days323 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall23.7 inches
38% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation5,367 ft (1,636 m)
Area28.5 sq mi (73.7 km²)
Population Density13/sq mi
Coordinates37.8224°N, 118.4877°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06051
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 17.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 20.3-point margin. 97.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 37.8%
D 58.1%

Winner: Democrat by 20.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.2%
49% below US avg
High School+82.8%
Graduate Degree+3.3%
School Test Score4.69
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density13/sq mi
Total Area28.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access97.9%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities35
Restaurants162
Retail Stores74

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.9 min
Drive Alone83.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.0%

Nearby Cities

Crowley Lake, CA 1,129 pop · 22.5 mi Dixon Lane-MeadowCreek, CA 2,963 pop · 30.4 mi Mammoth Lakes, CA 7,233 pop · 30.6 mi West Bishop, CA 2,697 pop · 31.8 mi Bishop, CA 3,793 pop · 31.9 mi Big Pine, CA 1,464 pop · 46.6 mi Hawthorne, NV 2,876 pop · 49.1 mi Yosemite Valley, CA 1,848 pop · 59.8 mi North Fork, CA 2,914 pop · 69.7 mi Oakhurst, CA 4,956 pop · 70.7 mi Tonopah, NV 1,938 pop · 71.1 mi Auberry, CA 3,043 pop · 73.2 mi Ahwahnee, CA 1,532 pop · 74.3 mi Coarsegold, CA 4,301 pop · 77.7 mi
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