Benton County, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benton County
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Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Gilman, Minnesota.
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![]() Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
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![]() Minnesota's location within the U.S. |
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Country | ![]() |
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State | ![]() |
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Founded | October 27, 1849 (created) 1850 (organized) |
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Named for | Thomas Hart Benton | |
Seat | Foley | |
Largest city | Sauk Rapids | |
Area | ||
• Total | 413 sq mi (1,070 km2) | |
• Land | 408 sq mi (1,060 km2) | |
• Water | 4.8 sq mi (12 km2) 1.2%% | |
Population
(2020)
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• Total | 41,379 | |
• Estimate
(2021)
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41,459 ![]() |
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• Density | 97.9/sq mi (37.8/km2) | |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) | |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | |
Congressional district | 6th |
Benton County is a county in the East Central part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 41,379. Its county seat is Foley.
Benton County is part of the St. Cloud, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI Combined Statistical Area.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 413 square miles (1,070 km2), of which 408 square miles (1,060 km2) is land and 4.8 square miles (12 km2) (1.2%) is water. It is the fifth-smallest county in Minnesota by land area and fourth-smallest by total area.
Lakes
- Donovan Lake - vast majority in Minden Township, west edge in St. Cloud
- Graham Lake - Langola Township
- Little Rock Lake - south half in Watab Township, north half in Langola Township
- Mayhew Lake - Mayhew Lake Township
Source: United States Census Bureau 2007 TIGER/Line Shapefiles
Major highways
U.S. Highway 10
Minnesota State Highway 15
Minnesota State Highway 23
Minnesota State Highway 25
Minnesota State Highway 95
Adjacent counties
- Mille Lacs County (northeast)
- Sherburne County (southeast)
- Stearns County (southwest)
- Morrison County (northwest)
Climate and weather
Weather chart for Foley, Minnesota | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2.6
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4.2
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3.3
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3.8
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3.5
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2.5
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1.4
39
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0.8
25
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temperatures in °F precipitation totals in inches source: The Weather Channel |
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Metric conversion
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In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Foley have ranged from a low of 2 °F (−17 °C) in January to a high of 82 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −43 °F (−42 °C) was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 107 °F (42 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.62 inches (16 mm) in February to 4.17 inches (106 mm) in June.
Demographics
Historical population | |||
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Census | Pop. | %± | |
1850 | 418 | — | |
1860 | 627 | 50.0% | |
1870 | 1,558 | 148.5% | |
1880 | 3,012 | 93.3% | |
1890 | 6,284 | 108.6% | |
1900 | 9,912 | 57.7% | |
1910 | 11,615 | 17.2% | |
1920 | 14,073 | 21.2% | |
1930 | 15,056 | 7.0% | |
1940 | 16,106 | 7.0% | |
1950 | 15,911 | −1.2% | |
1960 | 17,287 | 8.6% | |
1970 | 20,841 | 20.6% | |
1980 | 25,187 | 20.9% | |
1990 | 30,185 | 19.8% | |
2000 | 34,226 | 13.4% | |
2010 | 38,451 | 12.3% | |
2020 | 41,379 | 7.6% | |
2021 (est.) | 41,459 | 7.8% | |
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020 |
As of the 2000 census, there were 34,226 people, 13,065 households, and 8,518 families in the county. The population density was 83.9/sqmi (32.4/km2). There were 13,460 housing units at an average density of 33/sqmi (12.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.22% White, 0.78% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 47.8% were of German, 12.1% Polish and 8.8% Norwegian ancestry.
There were 13,065 households, out of which 35.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.80% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.14.
The county population contained 27.10% under the age of 18, 12.20% from 18 to 24, 31.00% from 25 to 44, 18.70% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,968, and the median income for a family was $51,277. Males had a median income of $33,214 versus $22,737 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,008. About 4.50% of families and 7.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.30% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
Townships
- Alberta Township
- Gilmanton Township
- Glendorado Township
- Graham Township
- Granite Ledge Township
- Langola Township
- Mayhew Lake Township
- Maywood Township
- Minden Township
- Sauk Rapids Township
- St. George Township
- Watab Township
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
- Brennyville
- Bushville
- Duelm
- Fruitville
- Glendorado
- Granite Ledge
- Jakeville
- Mayhew
- North Benton
- Novak's Corner
- Oak Park
- Parent
- Popple Creek
- Rum River
- Silver Corners
- Watab
Ghost towns
- East St. Cloud
- Esteville (partial)
- Minden