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Benton, PA

Pennsylvania

Benton is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 494. Residents earn $36,429 per year, which is 52% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
494 Population 823/sq mi density
$36,429 Median Income $23,863 per capita
$155,800 Home Value
$950 Median Rent 39.8% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$36,429 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$155,800 home value, $950/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,429
52% lower than US avg
Home Value $155,800
45% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.1%
70% lower than US avg
Median Rent $950
18% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.0%
29% higher than US avg

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

People

Population494
Median Age45.5 yrs
Density823/mi²
Male / Female40% / 60%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans6.6%

Economy

B
Median Income$36,429
Per Capita$23,863
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty16.0%
County GDP$3,276M
Commute25 min

Housing

A
Home Value$155,800
Rent$950
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units343
Rent Burden39.8%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI40 (Good)
Rain48.4 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation763 ft (233 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.1%
High School+95.4%
Graduate+3.4%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute25 min
Broadband81.6%
Libraries4

Is Benton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Benton receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. 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 $36,429, 52% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. The poverty rate of 16.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Benton is $155,800, 45% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $950 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

10.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Benton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 48.4 inches, including 46.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Benton has a population of 494 with a density of 823 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 (93.9%).

Population

494
Total Population
823
People / sq mi
45.5yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 39.9%
Female 60.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Benton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.3%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.7%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Benton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Benton is $36,429, which is 52% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Benton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,429
52% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,863
Avg Weekly Wage$972
IRS Avg AGI$64,596

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.0%
29% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,571
County GDP$3,276M

Business (County)

Restaurants170
Healthcare191
Retail230
Manufacturing73

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,387
25% above US avg
Cost of Living97.60 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate2.82%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.2 min
Drive Alone69.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home22.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Benton is $155,800, 45% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $950 (18% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$155,800
45% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$950
18% below US avg
Rent Burden39.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$900
1 Bedroom$996
2 Bedrooms$1,225
3 Bedrooms$1,570
4 Bedrooms$1,744

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied39.5%
Housing Units343
Median Year Built1954

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,387
25% above US avg
Effective Rate2.82%
Benton has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.4 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average47.6°F
12% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.4 inches
27% above US avg
Snowfall46.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation763 ft (233 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density823/sq mi
Coordinates41.1957°N, 76.3843°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS42037
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 10.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (70% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31-point margin. 81.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.1%
D 34%

Winner: Republican by 31 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.1%
70% below US avg
High School+95.4%
Graduate Degree+3.4%
School Test Score5.95
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density823/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access81.6%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities191
Restaurants170
Retail Stores230

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.2 min
Drive Alone69.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home22.3%

Nearby Cities

Jonestown, PA 2,004 pop · 6.2 mi Millville, PA 1,008 pop · 9.0 mi Lightstreet, PA 1,273 pop · 10.9 mi Berwick, PA 10,291 pop · 11.9 mi Mifflinville, PA 1,191 pop · 12.2 mi East Berwick, PA 2,436 pop · 12.3 mi Almedia, PA 1,036 pop · 12.5 mi Espy, PA 1,737 pop · 13.3 mi Nescopeck, PA 1,475 pop · 13.3 mi Bloomsburg, PA 12,906 pop · 13.9 mi Glen Lyon, PA 1,956 pop · 15.5 mi Catawissa, PA 1,498 pop · 17.2 mi Hughesville, PA 2,439 pop · 18.0 mi Nanticoke, PA 10,610 pop · 20.0 mi
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