Benton, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benton, Kentucky
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Benton in 1939
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Location of Benton in Marshall County, Kentucky.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Marshall |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.10 sq mi (13.20 km2) |
| • Land | 5.04 sq mi (13.05 km2) |
| • Water | 0.06 sq mi (0.15 km2) |
| Elevation | 423 ft (129 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,756 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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4,762 |
| • Density | 944.03/sq mi (364.52/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
42025
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| Area codes | 270 & 364 |
| FIPS code | 21-05824 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403856 |
| Website | www.cityofbenton.org |
Benton is a city in Kentucky, United States. It is the county seat of Marshall County. The city's current mayor is Rita Dotson. In 2020, about 4,756 people lived there.
Contents
History of Benton, Kentucky
Benton was started in 1842 by John Bearden and Francis H. Clayton. The town was named after Thomas Hart Benton. He was a well-known senator from Missouri. Benton officially became a city in 1845.
In 2021, a large tornado hit the town. This event caused damage across Western Kentucky.
Geography of Benton
Benton is located in the middle of Marshall County. It sits among hills, south and west of the Clarks River. The city covers about 3.9 square miles (10.1 square kilometers) of land. Benton is part of a region in western Kentucky called the Jackson Purchase.
People and Population in Benton
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 165 | — | |
| 1880 | 277 | — | |
| 1890 | 344 | 24.2% | |
| 1900 | 664 | 93.0% | |
| 1910 | 824 | 24.1% | |
| 1920 | 897 | 8.9% | |
| 1930 | 1,021 | 13.8% | |
| 1940 | 1,906 | 86.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,980 | 3.9% | |
| 1960 | 3,074 | 55.3% | |
| 1970 | 3,652 | 18.8% | |
| 1980 | 3,700 | 1.3% | |
| 1990 | 3,899 | 5.4% | |
| 2000 | 4,197 | 7.6% | |
| 2010 | 4,349 | 3.6% | |
| 2020 | 4,756 | 9.4% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 4,763 | 9.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, Benton had 4,349 residents. There were 1,809 households in the city. Most residents, about 97.4%, were White. About 1.8% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino background.
The average age in Benton was about 40.5 years. About 21.5% of the people were under 18 years old. Around 21.4% were 65 years or older.
The average income for a household was about $42,342. For families, the average income was around $62,500. A small number of families and people lived below the poverty line.
Culture and Traditions in Benton
Benton is known for its unique cultural events.
The Big Singing Day
Every year, on the fourth Sunday in May, people gather in Benton. They sing traditional songs from a special book called The Southern Harmony. This event is called The Big Singing or Big Singing Day. It started in 1884 and is the oldest continuous Southern Harmony singing event in the United States.
Tater Day Festival
Tater Day is a very old festival in Benton. It began in 1843. It was originally a time for people to trade sweet potato slips. These slips are used to grow sweet potato plants.
Tater Day is also the oldest continuous trade day in the United States. People trade or sell many different things. These can include hunting dogs, tobacco, or even livestock (farm animals).
The festival today has many fun activities. There are carnival rides and games. You can find a market with various goods. There's a potato eating contest and mule pulls. A "biggest potato" contest attracts large potatoes from all over the county.
The most exciting part is the parade. It goes around the town. The parade includes political floats and the Marshall County High School marching band. You can also see horses, buggies, clowns, and vintage cars. Miss Tater Day and other pageant winners also ride in the parade. There are also pageants for younger kids, like Junior Miss Tater Day. An annual Tater Day derby is held at the dirt track in Benton City Park.
Education in Benton
Benton is part of the Marshall County School District. This district has 11 schools. This includes Marshall County High School, which is the only high school. In the 2011-2012 school year, about 4,838 students were in the district.
Benton also has a lending library. It is a branch of the Marshall County Public Library.
Images for kids
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Benton in 1939
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Location of Benton in Marshall County, Kentucky.
See also
In Spanish: Benton (Kentucky) para niños
