Benton, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Benton, Tennessee had a total population of 1,560, the 252nd largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $29,414, which is 58% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 58% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
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 | 1,349 | 1,560 | +15.6% |
| Median household income | $35,000 | $29,414 | -16.0% |
| Median home value | $167,700 | $184,200 | +9.8% |
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: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Benton Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copperhill | 493 | $45,417 | 20.9% | $99,000 |
| Ducktown | 456 | N/A | 36.9% | $172,100 |
| Ocoee | 208 | $181,250 | 10.6% | $119,800 |
| Farner | 197 | $29,464 | 31.0% | $117,200 |
| Conasauga | 128 | N/A | 28.1% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Top | 1,607 | $32,868 | $149,100 | 6.2% | 36.6% |
| Huntsville | 1,814 | $31,313 | $201,100 | 13.9% | 30.9% |
| Kenton | 1,513 | $41,525 | $111,200 | 5.9% | 24.3% |
| Bon Aqua Junction | 1,586 | $43,586 | $187,500 | 8.7% | 12.7% |
| Tracy City | 1,682 | $39,479 | $136,300 | 11.6% | 24.2% |
Population Overview
Benton is a small community located in Tennessee, within Polk County. The total population is 1,560. It ranks as the 252nd most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Benton is 38.8 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Benton is $29,414. This is 58% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 64% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.7%. This is 65% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. 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 10.1%. This is 115% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $184,200. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 50.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Benton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
12.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 79.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Benton, Tennessee 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 Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Tennessee city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Benton, Tennessee?
Benton, Tennessee has a population of 1,560 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Benton, TN?
The median household income in Benton is $29,414, which is 64% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Benton, TN?
The poverty rate in Benton is 22.7%. This means approximately 322 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Benton, Tennessee?
Benton's population is 92.6% White, 1.7% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Benton, TN?
The median home value in Benton is $184,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.3x.
How educated is Benton, Tennessee?
12.0% of adults (25+) in Benton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.