Benton, Arkansas

For the city of a similar name, see Bentonville, Arkansas. For the county of the same name, see Benton County, Arkansas.
Benton, Arkansas
City

Saline County Courthouse, located in the heart of downtown Benton.

Location in Saline County and the state of Arkansas
Benton, Arkansas

Location in the United States

Coordinates: 34°34′15″N 92°34′37″W / 34.57083°N 92.57694°W / 34.57083; -92.57694Coordinates: 34°34′15″N 92°34′37″W / 34.57083°N 92.57694°W / 34.57083; -92.57694
Country  United States
State  Arkansas
County Saline
Government
 • Type Mayor-Council
 • Mayor David Mattingly
 • City Council Frank Baptist
Kerry Murphy
Charles Cunningham
Joe Lee Richards
Bill Donnor
Jerry Ponder
Brad Moore
James Herzfeld
Steve Lee
Lori Terrell
Area
 • Total 47.8 km2 (18.4 sq mi)
 • Land 46.5 km2 (17.9 sq mi)
 • Water 1.3 km2 (0.5 sq mi)
Elevation 124 m (407 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total 30,681
 • Density 458.3/km2 (1,190.5/sq mi)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 72015, 72018-19, 72158
Area code(s) 501
FIPS code 05-05290[1]
GNIS feature ID 0046394[2]
Website Official website

Benton is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Arkansas, United States and a suburb of Little Rock. It was established in 1837.[3] According to a 2006 Special Census conducted at the request of the city government, the population of the city is 27,717, ranking it as the state's 16th largest city, behind Texarkana.[4] However in the 2010 census, the city population increased to 30,681, making it the 12th largest city in the state of Arkansas. It is part of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city of Benton, first settled in 1833 and named after Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton, was formally chartered in 1836 when Arkansas became a state.[5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.4 square miles (48 km2), of which 17.9 square miles (46 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (2.71%) is water.

"The Bauxite Mines" (1942) by Julius Woeltz, originally displayed in the U.S. Post Office in Benton and now located in the Saline County Courthouse

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1880452—
189064743.1%
19001,02558.4%
19101,70866.6%
19202,93371.7%
19303,44517.5%
19403,5021.7%
19506,27779.2%
196010,39965.7%
197016,49958.7%
198017,7177.4%
199018,1772.6%
200021,90620.5%
201030,68140.1%
Est. 201433,6259.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
2014 Estimate[7]

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 21,906 people, 8,713 households, and 6,186 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,221.2 people per square mile (471.5/km²). There were 9,315 housing units at an average density of 519.3 per square mile (200.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.81% White, 4.46% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.75% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 1.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,713 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,503, and the median income for a family was $51,064. Males had a median income of $32,493 versus $22,386 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,797. About 5.8% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.9% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public education for early childhood, elementary and secondary students is provided by:

Notable people

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Benton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Arkansas" (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. June 21, 2006. Retrieved November 16, 2006.
  5. ↑ "Benton (Saline County)". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. The Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  6. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Kenneth L. Henderson". intelius.com. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  9. ↑ IMDb: Sling Blade, Locations
  10. ↑ Summary for Benton, Arkansas

Movie reference

External links

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