Benton County, Arkansas

Benton County is a county located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 221,339,[1] making it the second-most populous county in Arkansas. The county seat is Bentonville.[2] The county was formed on September 30, 1836 and was named after Thomas Hart Benton, a U.S. Senator from Missouri. In 2012, Benton County voters elected to make the county wet, or a non-alcohol prohibition location.[3] Benton County is part of the Northwest Arkansas region.

Not to be confused with Benton, Arkansas.

Benton County
U.S. county
Benton County Courthouse, July 2011
Flag
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Arkansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°21′08″N 94°14′03″W
Country United States
State Arkansas
FoundedSeptember 30, 1836
Named forThomas Hart Benton
SeatBentonville
Largest cityRogers
Area
 • Total884 sq mi (2,290 km2)
 • Land847 sq mi (2,190 km2)
 • Water37 sq mi (100 km2)  4.1%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total221,339
 • Estimate 
(2019)
279,141
 • Density250/sq mi (97/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.bentoncountyar.gov

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 884 square miles (2,290 km2), of which 847 square miles (2,190 km2) is land and 37 square miles (96 km2) (4.1%) is water.[4] Most of the water is in Beaver Lake.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18402,228—
18503,71066.5%
18609,306150.8%
187013,83148.6%
188020,32847.0%
189027,71636.3%
190031,61114.1%
191033,3895.6%
192036,2538.6%
193035,253−2.8%
194036,1482.5%
195038,0765.3%
196036,272−4.7%
197050,47639.2%
198078,11554.8%
199097,49924.8%
2000153,40657.3%
2010221,33944.3%
Est. 2019279,141[5]26.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2019[1]
Age pyramid Benton County[10]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[11] there were 153,406 people, 58,212 households, and 43,484 families residing in the county. The population density was 181 people per square mile (70/km²). There were 64,281 housing units at an average density of 76 per square mile (29/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.87% White, 0.41% Black or African American, 1.65% Native American, 1.09% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 4.08% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. 8.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of 2005 estimates, Benton County's population was 81.7% non-Hispanic white, while the percentage of Latinos grew by 60 percent in the time period. 1.1% of the population was African-American; 1.6% was Native American (the historical presence of the Cherokee Indians live in close proximity to Oklahoma); 1.7% was Asian (there was a large influx of Filipinos, Vietnamese and South Asian immigrants in recent decades) and 0.2% of the population was Pacific Islander. 1.6% reported two or more races, usually not black-white due to a minuscule African-American population. 12.8% was Latino, but the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce believed the official estimate is underreported and Latinos could well be 20 percent of the population.[12]

There were 58,212 households out of which 34.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.00% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.30% were non-families. 21.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.60% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,281, and the median income for a family was $45,235. Males had a median income of $30,327 versus $22,469 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,377. About 7.30% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.80% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2010 census, the county population was 221,339. The racial makeup of the county was 76.18% Non-Hispanic white, 1.27% Black or African American, 1.69% Native American, 2.85% Asian, 0.30% Pacific Islander. 15.49% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.[13]

Politically, Benton County is arguably one of the most Republican-Leaning Counties in Arkansas. Benton County has not voted completely Democrat in a Presidential election since 1948, when former Missouri senator Harry S. Truman won Benton County along with winning Arkansas as a whole.[14]

Economy

Transportation

Major highways
  • Interstate 49
  • U.S. Highway 62
  • U.S. Highway 71
  • U.S. Highway 412
  • Highway 12
  • Highway 16
  • Highway 43
  • Highway 59
  • Highway 72
  • Highway 94
  • Highway 102

The historic Trail of Tears is on US highways 62 and 71 and connects with U.S. Route 412 in nearby Washington County.

Airports
  • Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA) is located near Highfill.
  • Rogers Municipal Airport (ROG) serves the county and surrounding communities.

Rail

The Arkansas and Missouri Railroad parallels US Highways 62 and 71 in the county.

Politics

Like all of the conservative Bible Belt of the Ozarks and Ouachitas, Benton County is strongly Republican; however, it has been such for longer than most of the region. It voted Republican in 1928 and 1944, and the last Democratic presidential nominee to carry the county was Harry S. Truman in 1948.[15] Along with nearby Sebastian County it was one of the few counties in Arkansas to resist the appeal of southern “favorite sons” Lyndon B. Johnson, George Wallace, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Presidential election results
Benton County vote
by party in presidential elections [16]
Year GOP Dem Others
2016 62.87% 60,871 28.92% 28,005 8.21% 7,948
2012 68.95% 54,646 28.56% 22,636 2.49% 1,975
2008 67.20% 51,124 30.67% 23,331 2.13% 1,618
2004 68.37% 46,571 30.47% 20,756 1.17% 794
2000 64.94% 34,838 32.21% 17,277 2.86% 1,531
1996 51.89% 23,748 37.59% 17,205 10.52% 4,815
1992 48.81% 21,126 36.45% 15,774 14.74% 6,379
1988 71.23% 24,295 27.55% 9,399 1.22% 416
1984 75.90% 24,296 22.82% 7,306 1.27% 408
1980 63.96% 18,830 31.36% 9,231 4.69% 1,379
1976 52.75% 12,670 47.00% 11,289 0.25% 61
1972 77.86% 14,621 21.74% 4,083 0.39% 74
1968 49.94% 8,104 25.19% 4,088 24.87% 4,036
1964 51.25% 5,977 48.49% 5,655 0.26% 30
1960 67.58% 7,832 31.23% 3,619 1.20% 139
1956 63.08% 6,500 36.33% 3,744 0.59% 61
1952 68.83% 7,916 30.94% 3,558 0.23% 26
1948 44.70% 2,911 50.38% 3,281 4.93% 321
1944 53.52% 3,305 46.33% 2,861 0.15% 9
1940 43.86% 1,962 54.59% 2,442 1.54% 69
1936 40.64% 1,672 58.77% 2,418 0.58% 24
1932 24.53% 1,275 72.62% 3,775 2.85% 148
1928 57.29% 3,248 41.42% 2,348 1.29% 73
1924 37.04% 1,694 50.58% 2,313 12.38% 566
1920 39.34% 1,916 58.28% 2,838 2.38% 116
1916 29.39% 1,293 70.61% 3,106 0.00% 0
1912 14.05% 541 61.12% 2,353 24.83% 956
1908 31.77% 1,527 63.82% 3,067 4.41% 212
1904 35.08% 1,202 57.30% 1,963 7.62% 261
1900 26.36% 1,087 72.28% 2,980 1.36% 56
1896 16.05% 685 83.15% 3,548 0.80% 34

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Townships
Townships in Benton County, Arkansas as of 2010

Note: Most Arkansas counties have names for their townships. Benton County, however, has numbers instead of names.

Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries. Arkansas townships have limited purposes in modern times. However, the United States Census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "minor civil divisions"). Townships are also of value for historical purposes in terms of genealogical research. Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps and publications. The townships of Benton County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township.[17][18]

Township FIPS code ANSI code
(GNIS ID)		 Population
center(s)		 Pop.
(2010)		 Pop.
density
(/mi²)		 Pop.
density
(/km²)		 Total area
(mi²)		 Total area
(km²)		 Land area
(mi²)		 Land area
(km²)		 Water area
(mi²)		 Water area
(km²)		 Geographic coordinates
Township 1 05-93626 01989186 all of: Garfield, Gateway, Lost Bridge Village, Prairie Creek; parts of: Avoca, Rogers 13,223 113.79 43.93 130.964 339.2 116.205 301.0 14.759 38.23 36.412328°N 93.979817°W / 36.412328; -93.979817
Township 2 05-93628 01989194 small parts of: Lowell, Rogers, Springdale 14,279 150.33 58.04 111.844 289.7 94.984 246.0 16.860 43.67 36.280449°N 93.983324°W / 36.280449; -93.983324
Township 3 05-93630 01989187 parts of: Lowell, Rogers, Springdale; most of Bethel Heights 20,037 1,903.93 735.03 10.572 27.38 10.524 27.26 0.048 0.1243 36.272833°N 94.124961°W / 36.272833; -94.124961
Township 4 05-93632 01989188 all of Cave Springs ; most of the following: Lowell, Rogers, Springdale (within Benton County); small parts of Elm Springs 25,596 518.70 200.28 49.693 128.7 49.346 127.8 0.347 0.8987 36.271000°N 94.192603°W / 36.271000; -94.192603
Township 5 05-93634 01989189 part of Rogers 12,792 2,873.32 1,109.45 4.460 11.55 4.452 11.53 0.008 0.02072 36.335732°N 94.140417°W / 36.335732; -94.140417
Township 6 05-93636 01989190 most of Little Flock; almost half of Avoca; small parts of Bentonville, Pea Ridge, Rogers 14,033 671.18 259.15 20.929 54.21 20.908 54.15 0.021 0.05439 36.380291°N 94.128869°W / 36.380291; -94.128869
Township 7 05-93638 01989191 most of Pea Ridge; part of Bella Vista; small part of Bentonville 20,317 331.80 128.10 61.597 159.5 61.233 158.6 0.364 0.9428 36.454130°N 94.153613°W / 36.454130; -94.153613
Township 8 05-93640 01989192 part of Bentonville 12,637 1,575.69 608.43 8.028 20.79 8.020 20.77 0.008 0.02072 36.380199°N 94.200482°W / 36.380199; -94.200482
Township 9 05-93642 01989193 most of: Bentonville, Centerton; small part of Highfill 31,362 638.18 246.36 49.497 128.2 49.143 127.3 0.354 0.9169 36.354443°N 94.269172°W / 36.354443; -94.269172
Township 10 05-93644 01989195 most of: Bella Vista, Hiwasse 16,402 385.73 148.97 43.848 113.6 42.522 110.1 1.326 3.434 36.453560°N 94.307978°W / 36.453560; -94.307978
Township 11 05-93645 01989196 all of: Cherokee City, Decatur, Gravette, Maysville, Sulphur Springs; small parts of: Centerton, Highfill, Hiwasse 12,273 59.13 22.83 207.804 538.2 207.558 537.6 0.246 0.6371 36.393573°N 94.468392°W / 36.393573; -94.468392
Township 12 05-93646 01989197 most of Gentry; more than half of Siloam Springs 15,158 361.65 139.58 43.028 111.4 41.913 108.6 1.115 2.888 36.239052°N 94.522847°W / 36.239052; -94.522847
Township 13 05-93647 01989198 all of Springtown; most of Highfill; small parts of: Elm Springs, Gentry, Springdale 13,230 94.13 36.35 141.642 366.9 140.548 364.0 1.094 2.833 36.193862°N 94.409806°W / 36.193862; -94.409806
Source: "Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files: County Subdivisions in Arkansas". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on May 31, 2014.

Source: "Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division.

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Jordan wins in Fayetteville, Benton County goes wet". Archived from the original on March 7, 2013. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  5. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2010-2019". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  10. Based on 2000 census data
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  12. "Benton County QuickFacts from the U. S. Census Bureau". Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2007.
  13. "Population estimates, July 1, 2015, (V2015)". www.census.gov. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  14. Leip, David. "1948 Presidential General Election Results".
  15. Sullivan, Robert David; ‘How the Red and Blue Map Evolved Over the Past Century’; America Magazine in The National Catholic Review; June 29, 2016
  16. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  17. 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Benton County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  18. "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.

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