Benson town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Benson town, North Carolina has a total population of 4,144, the 201st largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $65,614, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.9%.
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.8% is notably above the national average.
Benson town Quick Facts
How Benson town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Benson town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Benson town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wingate town | 4,169 | $65,208 | $217,700 | 32.5% | 17.7% |
| Elkin town | 4,025 | $60,434 | $187,200 | 28.0% | 23.0% |
| Stanley town | 4,014 | $71,333 | $229,000 | 23.0% | 6.6% |
| Canton town | 4,417 | $64,034 | $226,400 | 15.0% | 11.8% |
| Skippers Corner CDP | 3,834 | $67,469 | $249,200 | 23.9% | 31.6% |
Population Overview
Benson town is a small community located in North Carolina. The total population is 4,144. It ranks as the 201st most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Benson town is 35.0 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Benson town is $65,614. This is 6% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 16% lower. The poverty rate stands at 32.9%. This is 150% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.8%. This is 102% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $176,000. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Benson town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 52.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Benson town is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 35.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (35.4% vs 20.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (23.5% vs 10.9%).
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Benson town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Benson town, North Carolina?
Benson town, North Carolina has a population of 4,144 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Benson town, NC?
The median household income in Benson town is $65,614, which is 16% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Benson town, NC?
The poverty rate in Benson town is 32.9%. This means approximately 1,333 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Benson town, North Carolina?
Benson town's population is 40.8% White, 35.4% Black, 23.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Benson town, NC?
The median home value in Benson town is $176,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Benson town, North Carolina?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Benson town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.