Benton County is a county located in the state of Minnesota. As of 2000, the population is 34,226. Its county seat is Foley⁶.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,070 km² (413 mi²). 1,057 km² (408 mi²) of it is land and 12 km² (5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.14% water.

Adjacent counties

• Mille Lacs County (northeast)
• Sherburne County (southeast)
• Stearns County (southwest)
• Morrison County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 34,226 people, 13,065 households, and 8,518 families residing in the county. The population density is 32/km² (84/mi²). There are 13,460 housing units at an average density of 13/km² (33/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 96.22% White, 0.78% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 13,065 households out of which 35.30% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% are married couples living together, 8.80% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.80% are non-families. 25.80% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.90% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.56 and the average family size is 3.14.

In the county the population is spread out with 27.10% under the age of 18, 12.20% from 18 to 24, 31.00% from 25 to 44, 18.70% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $41,968, and the median income for a family is $51,277. Males have a median income of $33,214 versus $22,737 for females. The per capita income for the county is $19,008. 7.10% of the population and 4.50% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.30% of those under the age of 18 and 12.60% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

† Only partly in Benton County.

External link

• Benton County Government’s website (http://www.co.benton.mn.us/)
• MNGenUSGen Web Site for Benton County, Minnesota (http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnbenton/)
• Sauk Rapids and Benton County - Images of America Series (http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnbenton/webdoc9.htm/)