Benton County, Oregon Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Benton County is located in Oregon with a total population of 96,359. It is the 11th most populous county out of 36 in Oregon.

Age Demographics

The median age in Benton County is 33.8 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Benton County is $76,011. This is 5% lower than the state median of $80,426. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 3% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.2%. This is 61% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $481,700. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $454,200. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 56.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 63.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Benton County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.1%.

Education

54.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Benton County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 36.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.0%. Notably, 25.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.