Benton borough, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Benton borough, Pennsylvania has a total population of 494, the 1350th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $36,429, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Benton borough Quick Facts
How Benton borough Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Benton borough Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Columbia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomsburg town | 12,906 | $49,096 | 30.6% | $186,100 |
| Berwick borough | 10,291 | $45,338 | 21.7% | $135,000 |
| Catawissa borough | 1,498 | $53,472 | 14.2% | $139,700 |
| Millville borough | 1,008 | $47,262 | 18.8% | $206,000 |
| Briar Creek borough | 896 | $34,643 | 40.2% | $162,500 |
| Orangeville borough | 414 | $61,964 | 3.9% | $181,500 |
| Stillwater borough | 184 | $80,833 | 4.3% | $173,400 |
| Centralia borough | 1 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Benton borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawk Run CDP | 496 | N/A | $57,700 | 5.0% | 41.9% |
| Pennwyn CDP | 482 | N/A | $193,500 | 15.2% | 26.1% |
| Van Voorhis CDP | 519 | N/A | $202,300 | 9.3% | 0.0% |
| Allison CDP | 468 | N/A | $34,300 | 18.1% | 26.9% |
| Sheatown CDP | 533 | N/A | $108,900 | 42.0% | 16.2% |
Population Overview
Benton borough is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Columbia County. The total population is 494. It ranks as the 1350th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Benton borough is 45.5 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. 11.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Benton borough is $36,429. This is 52% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 54% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.9%. This is 120% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 4.0%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $155,800. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $240,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 39.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Benton borough has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.9% of all residents. Asian residents account for 3.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 8.4%.
Education
10.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Benton borough, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,993 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Benton borough, Pennsylvania?
Benton borough, Pennsylvania has a population of 494 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Benton borough, PA?
The median household income in Benton borough is $36,429, which is 54% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Benton borough, PA?
The poverty rate in Benton borough is 25.9%. This means approximately 128 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Benton borough, Pennsylvania?
Benton borough's population is 93.9% White, 0.0% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Benton borough, PA?
The median home value in Benton borough is $155,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Benton borough, Pennsylvania?
10.1% of adults (25+) in Benton borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.