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Benson County, North Dakota Demographics 2026

Benson County, North Dakota has a population of 5,861, the 21st most populous county in North Dakota. The median household income is $68,049 and the median home value is $83,100. The poverty rate is 22.2%.

Benson County Quick Facts

Population 5,861
Median Household Income $68,049
Median Home Value $83,100
Poverty Rate 22.2%
Unemployment Rate 1.9%
Median Age 32.4 years
Homeownership Rate 74.2%
Affordability Ratio 1.2x
Bachelor's Degree+ 22.1%
High School Graduation 88.5%
Cities/Places 9
Population 5,861 21st of 53
Median Income $68,049 10% lower state
Poverty Rate 22.2%
Unemployment 1.9%

Economy & Housing

Employment

1.9% Unemployment Rate State: 2.8% | National: 5.2%
52.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 74.2%
Renter 25.8%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
1.2x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

26out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 31 | National average: 60

Education

Cities & Places in Benson County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Leeds city487$73,75010.7%$82,900
Maddock city425$45,62530.0%$46,300
Minnewaukan city186$82,89515.0%$102,500
Esmond city110N/A37.3%$70,000
Warwick city82$55,62526.8%$55,000
Knox city39$67,8137.7%$141,100
Brinsmade city28N/A0.0%$9,999
Oberon city27N/A0.0%$58,300
York city8N/A0.0%N/A

Population Overview

Benson County is located in North Dakota with a total population of 5,861. It is the 21st most populous county out of 53 in North Dakota. The county encompasses 9 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Benson County is 32.4 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 35.7 years. With 33.8% of the population under 18, Benson County has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Benson County is $68,049. This is 10% lower than the state median of $75,949. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 13% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.2%. This is 110% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. 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 1.9%. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $83,100. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $241,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Benson County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 63.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Benson County is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 4.5%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

22.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 32.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.5%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Benson County, North Dakota?

Benson County has a population of 5,861, making it the 21st most populous county in North Dakota.

What is the median income in Benson County?

The median household income in Benson County is $68,049 with a poverty rate of 22.2%.

How many cities are in Benson County, North Dakota?

Benson County contains 9 Census-designated places.