Benton, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Benton, Pennsylvania had a total population of 485, the 1362nd largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $34,500, which is 56% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Benton Quick Facts
How Benton 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 | 494 | 485 | -1.8% |
| Median household income | $36,429 | $34,500 | -5.3% |
| Median home value | $155,800 | $168,400 | +8.1% |
How Benton 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Benton Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Columbia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomsburg | 13,024 | $51,536 | 26.5% | $179,100 |
| Berwick | 10,317 | $49,800 | 16.5% | $156,500 |
| Espy | 1,624 | $79,038 | 2.3% | $166,900 |
| Catawissa | 1,536 | $51,992 | 16.4% | $145,900 |
| Almedia | 1,271 | $67,361 | 21.6% | $194,000 |
| Mifflinville | 1,193 | $48,173 | 15.3% | $215,300 |
| Lightstreet | 1,156 | $70,739 | 10.2% | $168,400 |
| Millville | 943 | $65,469 | 21.8% | $218,100 |
| Lime Ridge | 842 | $63,148 | 18.3% | $208,100 |
| Briar Creek | 828 | $42,647 | 39.8% | $160,400 |
Cities Similar to Benton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Side | 457 | N/A | $125,000 | 11.5% | 50.1% |
| Van Voorhis | 516 | N/A | $158,100 | 5.1% | 0.0% |
| Falmouth | 521 | N/A | $267,700 | 20.6% | 0.0% |
| Orbisonia | 468 | $31,667 | $132,800 | 26.8% | 22.2% |
| Ulysses | 532 | $34,063 | $104,200 | 8.4% | 22.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 485, Benton's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Benton is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Columbia County. The total population is 485. It ranks as the 1362nd most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Benton is 55.9 years. This is 37% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. 15.3% 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 is $34,500. This is 56% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.2%. This is 124% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 5.5%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $168,400. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 43.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Benton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 8.7%.
Education
10.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Benton, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Benton, Pennsylvania?
Benton, Pennsylvania has a population of 485 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Benton, PA?
The median household income in Benton is $34,500, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Benton, PA?
The poverty rate in Benton is 26.2%. This means approximately 127 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Benton, Pennsylvania?
Benton's population is 92.6% White, 0.0% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Benton, PA?
The median home value in Benton is $168,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Benton, Pennsylvania?
10.3% of adults (25+) in Benton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.