Benson, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Benson, North Carolina had a total population of 4,282, the 200th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $67,102, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 4,144 | 4,282 | +3.3% |
| Median household income | $65,614 | $67,102 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $176,000 | $279,800 | +59.0% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Benson Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Johnston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithfield | 12,116 | $43,270 | 27.4% | $242,500 |
| Selma | 6,817 | $41,368 | 24.7% | $171,600 |
| Archer Lodge | 5,186 | $91,188 | 17.4% | $324,500 |
| Wilson's Mills | 2,753 | $62,813 | 31.9% | $241,800 |
| Four Oaks | 2,459 | $72,826 | 15.3% | $253,700 |
| Kenly | 2,359 | $57,045 | 14.4% | $205,200 |
| Pine Level | 2,031 | $75,263 | 8.0% | $221,000 |
| Princeton | 1,658 | $45,500 | 9.7% | $215,400 |
| Micro | 573 | $44,531 | 22.9% | $170,700 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canton | 4,419 | $69,924 | $246,700 | 17.7% | 15.0% |
| Wingate | 4,425 | $63,068 | $229,800 | 37.9% | 17.0% |
| Dana | 4,147 | $60,450 | $249,700 | 24.0% | 24.7% |
| Mountain View | 3,982 | $71,792 | $222,500 | 24.6% | 20.4% |
| Elkin | 4,043 | $60,740 | $226,900 | 29.8% | 22.3% |
Population Overview
Benson is a small community located in North Carolina, within Johnston County. The total population is 4,282. It ranks as the 200th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Benson is 35.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Benson is $67,102. This is 7% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 11% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $279,800. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 54.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Benson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.9%.
Education
29.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Benson, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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, North Carolina?
Benson, North Carolina has a population of 4,282 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Benson, NC?
The median household income in Benson is $67,102, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Benson, NC?
The poverty rate in Benson is 14.4%. This means approximately 598 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Benson, North Carolina?
Benson's population is 61.6% White, 18.9% Black, 14.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Benson, NC?
The median home value in Benson is $279,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Benson, North Carolina?
29.5% of adults (25+) in Benson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.