Benton, IA

Iowa

Benton is a small town in Iowa with a population of 23. Residents earn $46,250 per year, which is 38% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
23 Population 30/sq mi density
$46,250 Median Income $24,939 per capita
$72,500 Home Value
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$46,250 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$72,500 home value
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $46,250
38% lower than US avg
Home Value $72,500
74% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.3%
22% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population23
Median Age54.9 yrs
Density30/mi²
Male / Female57% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans21.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$46,250
Per Capita$24,939
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$234M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$72,500
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units15

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.0 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,101 ft (336 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.3%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score6.09

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute19 min
Broadband10.0%
Libraries1

Is Benton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Benton receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Benton stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Benton is $46,250, 38% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Benton is $72,500, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

26.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Benton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.0 inches, including 20.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Benton has a population of 23 with a density of 30 people per square mile. The median age is 54.9 years, 41% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

23
Total Population
30
People / sq mi
54.9yrs
Median Age
41% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.5%
Female 43.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Benton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Benton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Benton is $46,250, which is 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Benton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$46,250
38% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,939
Avg Weekly Wage$889
IRS Avg AGI$60,255

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)182
County GDP$234M

Business (County)

Restaurants13
Healthcare11
Retail18
Manufacturing4

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,583
88% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate9.08%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.1 min
Drive Alone83.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Benton is $72,500, 74% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$72,500
74% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$659
1 Bedroom$729
2 Bedrooms$956
3 Bedrooms$1,209
4 Bedrooms$1,348

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied100.0%
Housing Units15
Median Year Built1965

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,583
88% above US avg
Effective Rate9.08%
Benton has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.0 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.6°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.0 inches
3% below US avg
Snowfall20.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,101 ft (336 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density30/sq mi
Coordinates40.7043°N, 94.3599°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19159
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 26.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (22% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.3-point margin. 10.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.1%
D 23.8%

Winner: Republican by 51.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.3%
22% below US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score6.09
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density30/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access10.0%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities11
Restaurants13
Retail Stores18

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.1 min
Drive Alone83.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.3%

Nearby Cities

Mount Ayr, IA 1,739 pop · 6.5 mi Lenox, IA 1,474 pop · 16.1 mi Bedford, IA 1,389 pop · 19.2 mi Lamoni, IA 2,121 pop · 23.3 mi Creston, IA 7,466 pop · 24.6 mi Corning, IA 1,573 pop · 28.1 mi Albany, MO 1,855 pop · 31.6 mi Leon, IA 1,795 pop · 31.7 mi Bethany, MO 3,164 pop · 34.8 mi Stanberry, MO 1,190 pop · 35.2 mi Clarinda, IA 5,366 pop · 35.4 mi Villisca, IA 1,004 pop · 36.0 mi Maryville, MO 10,556 pop · 36.6 mi Osceola, IA 5,495 pop · 37.5 mi
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