Benton, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Benton, Arkansas had a total population of 36,595, the 12th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $72,876, which is 20% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Benton Quick Facts
How Benton Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,954 | 36,595 | +1.8% |
| Median household income | $69,638 | $72,876 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $199,400 | $212,700 | +6.7% |
How Benton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Benton Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Saline County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryant | 21,504 | $83,024 | 5.6% | $223,200 |
| Hot Springs Village | 16,327 | $75,370 | 7.3% | $272,000 |
| East End | 6,912 | $87,936 | 14.5% | $223,900 |
| Shannon Hills | 4,641 | $71,318 | 3.9% | $170,900 |
| Haskell | 4,100 | $85,758 | 7.6% | $160,600 |
| Salem | 2,642 | $73,750 | 2.4% | $202,100 |
| Avilla | 1,833 | $106,290 | 0.0% | $363,200 |
| Sardis | 890 | N/A | 45.3% | $178,000 |
| Bauxite | 846 | $74,250 | 15.0% | $188,200 |
| Traskwood | 552 | $81,042 | 4.9% | $197,500 |
Cities Similar to Benton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwood | 33,070 | $81,328 | $199,500 | 36.3% | 9.0% |
| Bella Vista | 31,697 | $88,055 | $296,700 | 41.8% | 3.6% |
| Hot Springs | 37,920 | $47,760 | $165,500 | 26.1% | 20.5% |
| Paragould | 30,215 | $56,980 | $181,500 | 16.1% | 17.8% |
| Cabot | 26,960 | $75,000 | $207,300 | 25.9% | 11.2% |
Population Overview
Benton is a mid-sized community located in Arkansas, within Saline County. The total population is 36,595. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Benton is 38.1 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Benton is $72,876. This is 20% higher than the state median of $60,773. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 50% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $212,700. Housing costs are 13% higher than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Benton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Benton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.9%.
Education
28.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 25.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Benton, Arkansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Arkansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Benton, Arkansas?
Benton, Arkansas has a population of 36,595 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Benton, AR?
The median household income in Benton is $72,876, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Benton, AR?
The poverty rate in Benton is 8.1%. This means approximately 2,911 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Benton, Arkansas?
Benton's population is 77.7% White, 9.9% Black, 7.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Benton, AR?
The median home value in Benton is $212,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Benton, Arkansas?
28.3% of adults (25+) in Benton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.