Benton County, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benton County
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Benton County Courthouse in Camden
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Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
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 Tennessee's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Tennessee |
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| Founded | 1835 | |
| Named for | David Benton (early settler) | |
| Seat | Camden | |
| Largest city | Camden | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 436 sq mi (1,130 km2) | |
| • Land | 394 sq mi (1,020 km2) | |
| • Water | 41 sq mi (110 km2) 9.6%% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 15,864  |
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| • Density | 40.26/sq mi (15.54/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | |
| Congressional districts | 7th, 8th | |
Benton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,864. Its county seat is Camden. The county was created in December 1835 and organized in 1836.
Benton County is located in northwest Tennessee, bordering the western branch of the Tennessee River and 30 miles south of the Kentucky border. Aside from Camden, other major communities include agrarian communities Big Sandy and Holladay. It is known well in the area for its duck hunting and fishing industries, and in the past, was recognized for sorghum production, although it is no longer produced there.
Contents
History
Benton County was formed in 1835 from part of Humphreys County. It was named in honor of David Benton (1779–1860), who was an early settler in the county and a member of the Third Regiment, Tennessee Militia in the Creek War.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 436 square miles (1,130 km2), of which 394 square miles (1,020 km2) is land and 42 square miles (110 km2) (9.6%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Stewart County (northeast)
- Houston County (northeast)
- Humphreys County (east)
- Perry County (southeast)
- Decatur County (south)
- Carroll County (west)
- Henry County (northwest)
National protected area
State protected areas
- Big Sandy Wildlife Management Area (part)
- Camden Wildlife Management Area
- Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park
- Harmon Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Lick Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Natchez Trace State Forest (part)
- Natchez Trace State Park (part)
- New Hope Wildlife Management Area
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 4,772 | — | |
| 1850 | 6,315 | 32.3% | |
| 1860 | 8,463 | 34.0% | |
| 1870 | 8,234 | −2.7% | |
| 1880 | 9,780 | 18.8% | |
| 1890 | 11,230 | 14.8% | |
| 1900 | 11,888 | 5.9% | |
| 1910 | 12,452 | 4.7% | |
| 1920 | 12,046 | −3.3% | |
| 1930 | 11,237 | −6.7% | |
| 1940 | 11,976 | 6.6% | |
| 1950 | 11,495 | −4.0% | |
| 1960 | 10,662 | −7.2% | |
| 1970 | 12,126 | 13.7% | |
| 1980 | 14,901 | 22.9% | |
| 1990 | 14,524 | −2.5% | |
| 2000 | 16,537 | 13.9% | |
| 2010 | 16,489 | −0.3% | |
| 2020 | 15,864 | −3.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020 |
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2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 14,378 | 90.63% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 316 | 1.99% |
| Native American | 50 | 0.32% |
| Asian | 107 | 0.67% |
| Pacific Islander | 4 | 0.03% |
| Other/Mixed | 634 | 4.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 375 | 2.36% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 15,864 people, 6,762 households, and 3,832 families residing in the county.
Media
Radio stations
- WRJB-FM 95.9 "Magic 95.9 the Valley"
- WRQR-FM 105.5 (Henry Co) "Today's Best Music with Ace & TJ in the Morning"
- WTPR-AM 710 (Henry Co) "The Greatest Hits of All Time"
- WTPR-FM 101.7 (Henry Co) "The Greatest Hits of All Time"
Newspapers
The Camden Chronicle
- Tennessee Magnet Publications
Communities
City
- Camden (county seat)
Town
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Benton (Tennessee) para niños
