Population 9,744 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Benton
Household size in Benton
| Period | Benton | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.32 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.41 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.39 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.24 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Benton is a place of small households, averaging 2.24 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has edged down from 2.32 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only 34 have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Benton
| Period | Benton | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.7 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.4 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.8 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.1 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.4 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 44.1, Benton is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 42.7 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the southeast, the oldest in the north.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Benton
| Period | Benton | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.4% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.2% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.3% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.4% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Benton: 15.4% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 2.0 points, even as the national share fell. Benton has a higher share of single-parent households than the great majority of Illinois cities.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Benton
Renters in Benton
| Period | Benton | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.9% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.5% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.7% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 31.9% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +8.0 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Nearly a third of households in Benton rent their homes (31.9%), close to the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 55.8% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the east and least common in the southwest. The renter share is up 8.0 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Benton
| Period | Benton | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.6% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.8% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.9% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.9 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
More homes sit empty in Benton than nationally: 12.9%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 3.9 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Benton
| Period | Benton | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1965 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1966 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Benton is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1966, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. That is in line with the rest of Illinois. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the west.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Benton
| Period | Benton | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $502 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $660 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $659 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $830 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$328 | +$475 | +$606 |
The median renter in Benton pays $830 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $328 a month from 2006–10, a 65% jump, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 33.9% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest in the north.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Benton
Bachelor's degrees in Benton
| Period | Benton | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.3% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.3% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.3% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Benton: 18.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 4.8 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Benton has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of Illinois cities.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Benton
| Period | Benton | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.5% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.6% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.2% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.6% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Benton is close to the national rate: 88.6% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Illinois overall (90.3%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 5.1 points, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Benton
| Period | Benton | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.4% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.7% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 4.8%, unemployment in Benton is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is lower than in Illinois as a whole (6.0%). Unemployment is down 3.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Benton compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton | 2.24 | 44.1 | 15.4% | 31.9% | 12.9% | 1966 | $830 | 18.3% | 88.6% | 4.8% |
| West City | 2.32 | 40.9 | 16.8% | 27.6% | 4.8% | 1950 | $821 | 8.2% | 88.4% | 7.6% |
| Steel City | 2.51 | 39.5 | 9.2% | 18.3% | 16.6% | 1991 | $840 | 21.9% | 87.0% | 4.9% |
| Logan | 2.36 | 45.5 | 7.8% | 18.6% | 8.5% | 1981 | $818 | 12.9% | 87.9% | 6.8% |
| Rend City | 2.70 | 30.2 | 15.4% | 16.1% | 18.2% | 1970 | $1,144 | 12.4% | 92.6% | 3.2% |
| Hanaford | 2.45 | 44.3 | 10.6% | 21.0% | 8.3% | 1982 | $686 | 11.8% | 85.3% | 6.3% |
| Buckner | 2.31 | 45.8 | 3.4% | 17.3% | 19.2% | 1952 | $1,073 | 12.0% | 91.2% | 7.1% |
| Whittington | 2.50 | 41.2 | 8.5% | 23.0% | 15.5% | 1981 | $768 | 19.1% | 86.8% | 2.9% |
| Orient | 2.21 | 50.3 | 13.3% | 15.4% | 9.7% | 1965 | $843 | 13.6% | 90.3% | 7.5% |
| Valier | 2.65 | 33.1 | 13.4% | 14.9% | 17.2% | 1970 | $1,131 | 12.1% | 93.0% | 4.4% |
| Parrish | 2.41 | 44.4 | 9.6% | 19.6% | 7.5% | 1981 | $750 | 12.2% | 88.0% | 5.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Willard, OH · Proctorville, OH · Waterloo, NY · Pryor, OK · Putnam Valley, NY · Whitney, TX · Quincy, WA · West Branch, MI · Willard, MO · Princeton, NC
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Benton. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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