Benton, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Benton, Kentucky had a total population of 4,748, the 89th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $66,827, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
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 | 4,774 | 4,748 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $63,368 | $66,827 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $159,600 | $157,000 | -1.6% |
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: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Benton Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Marshall County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvert City | 2,526 | $48,906 | 12.8% | $165,700 |
| Hardin | 446 | $30,250 | 44.7% | $96,500 |
| Gilbertsville | 433 | $12,391 | 77.4% | $101,800 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendron | 4,495 | $71,610 | $213,900 | 39.4% | 3.8% |
| Ludlow | 4,378 | $65,284 | $184,800 | 38.4% | 24.4% |
| Westwood | 4,473 | $73,511 | $92,200 | 14.7% | 9.6% |
| Crescent Springs | 4,486 | $83,066 | $302,100 | 41.2% | 5.4% |
| Massac | 4,698 | $92,560 | $239,400 | 49.4% | 10.2% |
Population Overview
Benton is a small community located in Kentucky, within Marshall County. The total population is 4,748. It ranks as the 89th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Benton is 43.2 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 11.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Benton is $66,827. This is 5% higher than the state median of $63,726. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.4%. This is 29% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $157,000. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Benton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Benton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.6%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 7.5%.
Education
20.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Benton, Kentucky 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 Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. 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, Kentucky?
Benton, Kentucky has a population of 4,748 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Benton, KY?
The median household income in Benton is $66,827, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Benton, KY?
The poverty rate in Benton is 11.4%. This means approximately 505 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Benton, Kentucky?
Benton's population is 88.3% White, 1.5% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Benton, KY?
The median home value in Benton is $157,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Benton, Kentucky?
20.2% of adults (25+) in Benton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.