Benton County, Minnesota

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.^[2] Its county seat is Foley.^[3]

Benton County
County
Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Gilman, Minnesota.
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°42′N 94°00′W
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
Founded	October 27, 1849 (created) 1850 (organized)[1]
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)
• Total	41,379
• Estimate  (2023)	41,600
• Density	97.9/sq mi (37.8/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	6th
Website	www.co.benton.mn.us

Benton County is part of the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Combined Statistical Area.

History

Established in 1849 and organized in 1850, the county is one of the oldest in Minnesota.^[4] It was named for Thomas Hart Benton, a United States Senator from Missouri.^[5] Its county seat for many years was Sauk Rapids, at the confluence of the Sauk and Mississippi Rivers. The county seat moved to Watab in 1856 and returned to Sauk Rapids in 1859. Sauk Rapids became the terminus of a railroad line in 1874, but was destroyed by a tornado in 1886. In 1897 the county seat moved to Foley, where it remains. As St. Cloud expanded into a metropolitan area, the northern part of Benton County became a suburb.

Geography

The Mississippi River flows southeast along Benton County's western border, and the Platte River flows south through the county's northwest corner, discharging into the Mississippi at the county's western border. The terrain consists of low rolling hills, wooded or devoted to agriculture.^[6] It generally slopes to the south and east, although its western portion slopes into the river valleys. The county's highest point is a small hill near the midpoint of the northern border, 1 mi (1.6 km) north of Brennyville, at 1,311 ft (400 m) ASL.^[7] 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.^[8] It is the fifth-smallest county in Minnesota by land area and fourth-smallest by total area.

Soils of Benton County^[9]

Soils of Sartell WMA neighborhood

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 - east
• Sherburne - south
• Stearns - west
• Morrison - north

Lakes

• Donovan Lake (part)
• Graham Lake
• Little Rock Lake
• Mayhew Lake

^[6]

Protected areas

• Benlacs State Wildlife Management Area (part)
• Bibles State Wildlife Management Area
• Englund Ecotone Scientific and Natural Area
• Sartell State Wildlife Management Area
• Wisneski State Wildlife Management Area

^[6]

Climate and weather

Foley, Minnesota
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.7     21 2     0.6     27 7     1.6     39 20     2.6     56 33     3     69 44     4.2     78 54     3.3     82 59     3.8     80 56     3.5     70 47     2.5     57 35     1.4     39 22     0.8     25 7 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches Source: The Weather Channel[10]
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     17     −6 −17     16     −3 −14     39     4 −7     65     13 1     75     21 7     106     26 12     84     28 15     96     27 13     88     21 8     63     14 2     35     4 −6     21     −4 −14 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm

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.^[10]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
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%
2023 (est.)	41,600	[11]	0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14] 1990-2000[15] 2010-2020[2]

2020 census

Benton County Racial Composition^[16]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	35,821	86.6%
Black or African American (NH)	1,991	4.81%
Native American (NH)	184	0.44%
Asian (NH)	463	1.12%
Pacific Islander (NH)	8	0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH)	1,696	4.1%
Hispanic or Latino	1,216	2.94%

2000 census

2022 US Census population pyramid for Benton County, from ACS 5-year estimates

As of the census of 2000, there were 34,226 people, 13,065 households, and 8,518 families in the county. The population density was 83.9 per square mile (32.4/km²). There were 13,460 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/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

• Foley (county seat)
• Gilman
• Rice
• Royalton (partial)
• St. Cloud (partial)
• Sartell (partial)
• Sauk Rapids

Townships

• Alberta
• Gilmanton
• Glendorado
• Graham
• Granite Ledge
• Langola
• Mayhew Lake
• Maywood
• Minden
• Saint George
• Sauk Rapids
• Watab

Census-designated place

• Ronneby

Unincorporated communities

• Brennyville
• Duelm
• Fruitville
• Glendorado
• Granite Ledge
• Jakeville
• Mayhew
• North Benton
• Oak Park
• Parent
• Popple Creek
• Rum River
• Silver Corners
• Watab

Ghost towns

• Estes Brook
• Minden

^[6]

Government and politics

Benton County voters have tended to vote Republican for the past few decades. In 2016 Donald Trump won the county with 64.2%, the highest share of the vote for any presidential candidate since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932.^[17]

United States presidential election results for Benton County, Minnesota^[18]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	15,260	66.86%	7,084	31.04%	480	2.10%
2020	14,382	64.61%	7,280	32.70%	598	2.69%
2016	12,872	64.17%	5,640	28.12%	1,546	7.71%
2012	10,849	55.30%	8,173	41.66%	597	3.04%
2008	10,338	53.46%	8,454	43.71%	547	2.83%
2004	10,043	54.63%	8,059	43.84%	282	1.53%
2000	7,663	51.40%	6,009	40.31%	1,236	8.29%
1996	4,835	36.54%	6,006	45.39%	2,392	18.08%
1992	5,053	35.16%	5,156	35.88%	4,162	28.96%
1988	6,060	50.33%	5,861	48.68%	119	0.99%
1984	6,830	57.48%	4,922	41.42%	131	1.10%
1980	5,513	46.79%	5,272	44.75%	997	8.46%
1976	4,099	37.38%	6,235	56.86%	631	5.75%
1972	4,652	49.35%	4,282	45.43%	492	5.22%
1968	3,470	43.29%	4,022	50.17%	524	6.54%
1964	2,818	37.47%	4,679	62.22%	23	0.31%
1960	3,324	44.23%	4,175	55.56%	16	0.21%
1956	3,591	57.77%	2,609	41.97%	16	0.26%
1952	3,856	59.54%	2,587	39.95%	33	0.51%
1948	2,297	38.19%	3,632	60.38%	86	1.43%
1944	2,988	56.76%	2,258	42.90%	18	0.34%
1940	3,491	55.76%	2,742	43.79%	28	0.45%
1936	1,783	30.67%	3,111	53.52%	919	15.81%
1932	1,329	24.84%	3,901	72.92%	120	2.24%
1928	2,373	46.29%	2,732	53.30%	21	0.41%
1924	1,629	41.90%	572	14.71%	1,687	43.39%
1920	2,920	78.83%	554	14.96%	230	6.21%
1916	1,020	49.09%	945	45.48%	113	5.44%
1912	468	24.38%	562	29.27%	890	46.35%
1908	1,001	54.11%	765	41.35%	84	4.54%
1904	1,205	71.90%	433	25.84%	38	2.27%
1900	849	51.58%	751	45.63%	46	2.79%
1896	778	46.61%	867	51.95%	24	1.44%
1892	426	25.63%	577	34.72%	659	39.65%

County Board of Commissioners^[19]

Position		Name	District
	Commissioner and Chairperson	Scott Johnson	District 1
	Commissioner	Ed Popp	District 2
	Commissioner	Steve Heinen	District 3
	Commissioner and Vice Chair	Jared J. Gapinski	District 4
	Commissioner and Chairperson	Beth Schlangen	District 5

State Legislature (2022)

Position		Name	Affiliation	District
	Senate	Jeff Howe[20]	Republican	District 13
	Senate	Aric Putnam[21]	Democrat	District 14
	Senate	Andrew Mathews[22]	Republican	District 15
	House of Representatives	Tim O'Driscoll[23]	Republican	District 13B
	House of Representatives	Dan Wolgamott[24]	Democrat	District 14B
	House of Representatives	Shane Mekeland[25]	Republican	District 15B

U.S Congress (2022)

Position		Name	Affiliation	District
	House of Representatives	Tom Emmer[26]	Republican	6th
	Senate	Amy Klobuchar[27]	Democrat	N/A
	Senate	Tina Smith[28]	Democrat	N/A

See also

• Great River Regional Library
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Benton County, Minnesota

References

1. "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 29, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. "Minnesota State Government Series - State Counties". Minnesota House of Representatives. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2007.
5. Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 49.
6. Benton County MN Google Maps (accessed March 5, 2019)
7. Benton County High Point, Minnesota. PeakBagger.com (accessed May 4, 2019)
8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
9. Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 61-64. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
10. "Monthly Averages for Foley MN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
11. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved March 18, 2024.
12. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
14. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
15. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
16. "P2 Hispanic Or Latino, And Not Hispanic Or Latino By Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Benton County, Minnesota". Census Bureau Data.
17. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
18. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
19. "County Board". Benton County, MN. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
20. "Senator Jeff R. Howe (13, R)". MN State Senate. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
21. "Senator Aric Putnam (14, DFL)". MN State Senate. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
22. "Senator Andrew Mathews (27, R)". MN State Senate. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
23. "Rep. Tim O'Driscoll (13B)". Minnesota House of Representatives. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
24. "Rep. Dan Wolgamott (14B)". Minnesota House of Representatives. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
25. "Rep. Shane Mekeland (15B)". Minnesota House of Representatives. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
26. "Congressman Tom Emmer". Congressman Tom Emmer. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
27. "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". klobuchar.senate.gov. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
28. "Home". Senator Tina Smith. Retrieved June 24, 2020.

External links

• Benton County Government’s website
• Minnesota Department of Transportation's official highway map of Benton County
• Benton County Fair
• Benton County Historical Society and Museum (in Sauk Rapids)
• Sartell Historical Society
• MNGenUSGen Web Site for Benton County, Minnesota - genealogy
• Sauk Rapids and Benton County - Images of America Series - approximately 200 vintage photographs
• Benton County Map

45.70°N 94.00°W / 45.70; -94.00