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Benson town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 32.9% is well above the state average
Highly DiverseNo single racial/ethnic group makes up a majority of the population

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

Benson town Quick Facts

Population 4,144
Median Household Income $65,614
Median Home Value $176,000
Poverty Rate 32.9%
Unemployment Rate 9.8%
Median Age 35.0 years
Homeownership Rate 52.8%
Affordability Ratio 2.7x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 20.8%
High School Graduation Rate 82.2%
Diversity Index 65/100
Population 4,144 201st of 774
Median Income $65,614 above average
Poverty Rate 32.9% 164% higher national
Median Home Value $176,000 average

How Benson town Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

9.8% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8% | National: 5.2%
62.4% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 52.8%
Renter 47.2%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.7x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

65out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 57 | National average: 60

Education

Benson town Rankings in North Carolina

#201 Population of 774
#275 Median Income of 774
#403 Education of 774
#412 Home Value of 774

Cities Similar to Benson town

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Wingate town4,169$65,208$217,70032.5%17.7%
Elkin town4,025$60,434$187,20028.0%23.0%
Stanley town4,014$71,333$229,00023.0%6.6%
Canton town4,417$64,034$226,40015.0%11.8%
Skippers Corner CDP3,834$67,469$249,20023.9%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.

Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

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.