Benton, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benton, Arkansas
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Saline County Courthouse, located in the heart of downtown Benton.
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Location in Saline County and the state of Arkansas
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| County | Saline |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 23.42 sq mi (60.65 km2) |
| • Land | 22.88 sq mi (59.27 km2) |
| • Water | 0.54 sq mi (1.39 km2) |
| Elevation | 407 ft (124 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 35,014 |
| • Density | 1,530.06/sq mi (590.77/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
72015, 72018-19, 72158
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| Area code(s) | 501 |
| FIPS code | 05-05290 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0046394 |
Benton is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Arkansas, United States and a suburb of Little Rock. It was established in 1837. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 30,681. In 2019 the population was estimated at 36,820. It is part of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city of Benton, first settled in 1833 and named after Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton, was formally chartered in 1836 when Arkansas became a state.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.4 square miles (48 km2), of which 17.9 square miles (46 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (2.71%) is water.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 452 | — | |
| 1890 | 647 | 43.1% | |
| 1900 | 1,025 | 58.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,708 | 66.6% | |
| 1920 | 2,933 | 71.7% | |
| 1930 | 3,445 | 17.5% | |
| 1940 | 3,502 | 1.7% | |
| 1950 | 6,277 | 79.2% | |
| 1960 | 10,399 | 65.7% | |
| 1970 | 16,499 | 58.7% | |
| 1980 | 17,717 | 7.4% | |
| 1990 | 18,177 | 2.6% | |
| 2000 | 21,906 | 20.5% | |
| 2010 | 30,681 | 40.1% | |
| 2020 | 35,014 | 14.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 27,156 | 77.56% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 3,441 | 9.83% |
| Native American | 158 | 0.45% |
| Asian | 488 | 1.39% |
| Pacific Islander | 11 | 0.03% |
| Other/Mixed | 1,730 | 4.94% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 2,030 | 5.8% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 35,014 people, 13,082 households, and 8,913 families residing in the city.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Benton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
- Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry: Benton (Saline County)
Education
Public education for early childhood, elementary and secondary students is provided by:
- Benton School District, which leads to graduation from Benton High School (majority of the city)
- Bryant Public Schools, which operates Bryant High School
- Bauxite School District
A small area near Frontage Road to the southeast is physically in the Harmony Grove School District, which operates Benton Harmony Grove High School.
Notable people
- Ann Clemmer – Republican former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for District 29 and then District 23 in Saline County
- Lanny Fite – Ann Clemmer's successor in the state House District 23; former Saline County county judge
- Wes Gardner – Former relief pitcher for the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and others
- Kim Hammer – Baptist clergyman from Benton and Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from District 28 in Saline County
- Kenneth Henderson – Republican member of the Arkansas House for Pope County; real estate developer in Russellville; former Benton resident
- Cliff Lee – Major League Baseball's 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner for the Cleveland Indians and former member of the Philadelphia Phillies
- Ewell Ross McCright – World War II POW
- Joe Purcell – Arkansas governor for six days in 1979; Democratic lieutenant governor and attorney general; lawyer in Benton
- Charlie Rich – Multiple Grammy Award winning country artist
- Justin Moore country artist, born in nearby Poyen, currently resides in Benton
- Stuart Greer – film and television actor, is a part-time resident
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