Benton County, Tennessee Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Benton County is located in Tennessee with a total population of 15,948. It is the 77th most populous county out of 95 in Tennessee.

Age Demographics

The median age in Benton County is 47.5 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Benton County is $50,435. This is 25% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 36% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.5%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $123,400. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $256,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Benton County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

Benton County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.7%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 15.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 7.1%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.

Education

12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 30.4%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.2%.