Benton County, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benton County
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The Benton County Courthouse in Warsaw
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Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
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 Missouri's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | January 3, 1835 |
| Named for | Thomas Hart Benton |
| Seat | Warsaw |
| Largest city | Warsaw |
| Area | |
| • Total | 753 sq mi (1,950 km2) |
| • Land | 704 sq mi (1,820 km2) |
| • Water | 48 sq mi (120 km2) 6.4% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 19,394 |
| • Density | 25.756/sq mi (9.944/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
Benton County is a county located in the west central part of the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 19,394 as of the 2020 Census. Its county seat is Warsaw. The county was organized January 3, 1835, and named for U.S. Senator Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 753 square miles (1,950 km2), of which 704 square miles (1,820 km2) is land and 48 square miles (120 km2) (6.4%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Pettis County (north)
- Morgan County (northeast)
- Camden County (southeast)
- Hickory County (south)
- St. Clair County (southwest)
- Henry County (west)
Major highways
U.S. Route 65
Route 7
Route 83
Route 82
Route 52
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 4,205 | — | |
| 1850 | 5,015 | 19.3% | |
| 1860 | 9,072 | 80.9% | |
| 1870 | 11,322 | 24.8% | |
| 1880 | 12,396 | 9.5% | |
| 1890 | 14,973 | 20.8% | |
| 1900 | 16,556 | 10.6% | |
| 1910 | 14,881 | −10.1% | |
| 1920 | 12,989 | −12.7% | |
| 1930 | 11,708 | −9.9% | |
| 1940 | 11,142 | −4.8% | |
| 1950 | 9,080 | −18.5% | |
| 1960 | 8,737 | −3.8% | |
| 1970 | 9,695 | 11.0% | |
| 1980 | 12,183 | 25.7% | |
| 1990 | 13,859 | 13.8% | |
| 2000 | 17,180 | 24.0% | |
| 2010 | 19,056 | 10.9% | |
| 2020 | 19,394 | 1.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2015 2019 |
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As of the census of 2000, there were 17,180 people, 7,420 households, and 5,179 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9/km2). There were 12,691 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.96% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Approximately 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,420 households, out of which 23.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.60% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.50% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 21.80% from 25 to 44, 29.70% from 45 to 64, and 22.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,646, and the median income for a family was $32,459. Males had a median income of $26,203 versus $19,054 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,457. About 10.20% of families and 15.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.50% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.
Religion
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Benton County is a part of the Bible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Benton County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (38.72%), Lutherans (LCMS) (19.06%), and United Methodists (14.49%).
Communities
Education
Public schools
- Cole Camp R-I School District – Cole Camp
- Cole Camp Elementary School (PK-05)
- Cole Camp Middle School (06-08)
- Cole Camp High School (09-12)
- Lincoln R-II School District – Lincoln
- Lincoln Elementary School (K-06)
- Lincoln High School (07-12)
- Warsaw R-IX School District – Warsaw
- North Elementary School (PK-05)
- South Elementary School (PK-05)
- John Boise Middle School (06-08)
- Warsaw High School (09-12)
Private schools
- Lutheran School Association – Cole Camp (K-08) – Lutheran
- Most of the students who attend Cole Camp's Lutheran School Association attend Benton County R-1 High in Cole Camp.
Public libraries
- Boonslick Regional Library
Notable people
- Martin Heinrich - U.S. Senator (D-New Mexico) (2013-present), U.S. Representative (D-New Mexico) (2009-2013)
- Stan Kroenke- owner of Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, and majority owner of Arsenal
