Benson, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Benson, Illinois had a total population of 428, the 983rd largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $76,333, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.5% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
Benson Quick Facts
How Benson 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 | 482 | 428 | -11.2% |
| Median household income | $74,886 | $76,333 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $118,200 | $114,900 | -2.8% |
How Benson 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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Benson Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Woodford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka | 5,007 | $56,048 | 10.8% | $154,300 |
| Metamora | 4,159 | $129,479 | 3.6% | $201,800 |
| Germantown Hills | 3,436 | $147,341 | 5.4% | $264,900 |
| Roanoke | 1,967 | $82,063 | 5.5% | $139,900 |
| Minonk | 1,941 | $69,352 | 10.3% | $120,500 |
| Washburn | 945 | $76,667 | 7.5% | $89,100 |
| Congerville | 752 | $81,250 | 1.7% | $200,000 |
| Spring Bay | 520 | $61,389 | 19.2% | $130,200 |
| Secor | 300 | $83,125 | 10.7% | $113,000 |
| Bay View Gardens | 281 | $52,679 | 18.9% | $122,800 |
Cities Similar to Benson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andover | 434 | $77,813 | $163,600 | 20.9% | 3.7% |
| Good Hope | 438 | $73,636 | $97,000 | 20.3% | 4.8% |
| Panama | 420 | $72,917 | $54,700 | 3.9% | 9.5% |
| Hartsburg | 415 | $73,529 | $84,300 | 15.5% | 9.2% |
| Burlington | 425 | $84,219 | $296,200 | 26.5% | 10.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 428, Benson's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Benson is a small community located in Illinois, within Woodford County. The total population is 428. It ranks as the 983rd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Benson is 43.5 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Benson is $76,333. This is 8% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 5% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.5%. This is 70% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $114,900. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Benson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 96.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Benson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (97.4% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
12.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Benson, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. 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 Benson, Illinois?
Benson, Illinois has a population of 428 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Benson, IL?
The median household income in Benson is $76,333, which is 5% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Benson, IL?
The poverty rate in Benson is 3.5%. This means approximately 15 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Benson, Illinois?
Benson's population is 97.4% White, 1.6% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Benson, IL?
The median home value in Benson is $114,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Benson, Illinois?
12.7% of adults (25+) in Benson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.