Benton County, Iowa

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,861 km² (718 mi²). 1,855 km² (716 mi²) of it is land and 5 km² (2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.29% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 25,308 people, 9,746 households, and 7,056 families residing in the county. The population density is 14/km² (35/mi²). There are 10,377 housing units at an average density of 6/km² (14/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 98.84% White, 0.20% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.62% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 9,746 households out of which 34.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.70% are married couples living together, 6.50% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% are non-families. 23.40% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.70% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.56 and the average family size is 3.04.

In the county the population is spread out with 27.40% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 100.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $42,427, and the median income for a family is $49,701. Males have a median income of $35,044 versus $23,978 for females. The per capita income for the county is $18,891. 6.10% of the population and 4.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.20% are under the age of 18 and 7.00% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Atkins
• Belle Plaine
• Blairstown
• Garrison
• Keystone
• Luzerne
• Mount Auburn
• Newhall
• Norway
• Shellsburg
• Urbana
• Van Horne
• Vinton
• Walford