Benton County, AR

County

Add Comparison

2021 Population

278,774

1.92% 1-year growth

US Senator

John Boozman

Republican Party

US Senator

Tom Cotton

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

35.6

0.282% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

8.08%

5.79% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$76,887

7.45% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$211,100

9.43% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

137,111

3.19% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Benton County, AR had a population of 279k people with a median age of 35.6 and a median household income of $76,887. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Benton County, AR grew from 273,510 to 278,774, a 1.92% increase and its median household income grew from $71,556 to $76,887, a 7.45% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Benton County, AR are White (Non-Hispanic) (67.7%), White (Hispanic) (9.59%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (7.21%), Two+ (Hispanic) (4.69%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.09%).

None of the households in Benton County, AR reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

91.7% of the residents in Benton County, AR are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Benton County, AR are NorthWest Arkansas Community College (1,919 degrees awarded in 2021), John Brown University (549 degrees), and Academy of Professional Cosmetology (69 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Benton County, AR was $211,100, and the homeownership rate was 67%.

Most people in Benton County, AR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Benton County, AR was 2 cars per household.

Benton County, AR borders Carroll County, AR, Madison County, AR, Washington County, AR, Barry County, MO, McDonald County, MO, Adair County, OK, and Delaware County, OK.

United States Arkansas Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO

Population & Diversity

Benton County, AR is home to a population of 279k people, from which 91.7% are citizens. As of 2021, 11.9% of Benton County, AR residents were born outside of the country (33.2k people).

In 2021, there were 7.06 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (189k people) in Benton County, AR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 26.7k White (Hispanic) and 20.1k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

91.7%

2021 Citizenship

91.8%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 91.7% of Benton County, AR residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Benton County, AR was 91.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Benton County, AR compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Benton County, AR

White (Non-Hispanic)
189k ± 1.97k
White (Hispanic)
26.7k ± 1.22k
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
20.1k ± 2.11k

17.1%

Hispanic Population

47.7k people

17.1% of the people in Benton County, AR are hispanic (47.7k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Benton County, AR as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Arkansas.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
62,153 ± 6,057 people
El Salvador
16,156 ± 3,112 people
India
9,838 ± 2,431 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Arkansas was Mexico, the natal country of 62,153 Arkansas residents, followed by El Salvador with 16,156 and India with 9,838.

Foreign-Born Population

11.9%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

33.2k people

12.2%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

33.3k people

As of 2021, 11.9% of Benton County, AR residents (33.2k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Benton County, AR was 12.2%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Benton County, AR compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
4,356 ± 495
Gulf War (2001-)
3,860 ± 527
Gulf War (1990s)
2,427 ± 360

Benton County, AR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.13 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Benton County, AR employs 137k people. The largest industries in Benton County, AR are Retail Trade (29,695 people), Manufacturing (18,059 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (14,140 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($98,750), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($67,796), and Wholesale Trade ($63,511).

Males in Arkansas have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,055. The income inequality in Arkansas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.45, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

137k

2021 Value

± 2,932

3.19%

1 Year growth

± 2.94%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Benton County, AR grew at a rate of 3.19%, from 133k employees to 137k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Benton County, AR, are Sales & Related Occupations (16,502 people), Management Occupations (15,485 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (14,216 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Benton County, AR.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Arkansas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

View Full Dashboard

Industries

Employment by Industries

137k

2021 Value

± 2,932

3.19%

1 Year growth

± 2.94%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Benton County, AR grew at a rate of 3.19%, from 133k employees to 137k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Benton County, AR, are Retail Trade (29,695 people), Manufacturing (18,059 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (14,140 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Benton County, AR, though some of these residents may live in Benton County, AR and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$50,255

Median earning men ± $1,362

$36,001

Median earning women ± $1,372

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($70,645), Wholesale Trade ($66,646), and Information ($62,875).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Wholesale Trade ($58,329), Public Administration ($45,365), and Retail Trade ($44,919).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Arkansas. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Arkansas.

View Full Dashboard

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

2,150
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,963
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
1,416
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.63M
Manufacturing
$1.31M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$951k
Wholesale Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Arkansas to other states, or from other states to Arkansas.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Arkansas product (by dollars) was Meat/seafood with $14.8B, followed by Mixed freight ($14.6B) and Coal-n.e.c. ($9.99B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Arkansas products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Arkansas.

$142B

2020 Value in Arkansas

$271B

Projected 2050 Value in Arkansas

90.7% growth

In 2020, total outbound Arkansas trade was $142B. This is expected to increase 90.7% to $271B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Arkansas trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Arkansas to other states, or from other states to Arkansas.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$11.3B
Mississippi
$7.08B
Oklahoma
$5.91B

In 2020, the top outbound Arkansas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $11.3B, followed by Mississippi with $7.08B and Oklahoma and $5.91B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Arkansas shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Benton County, AR went to Donald J. Trump with 61.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (35.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.64%).

John Boozman and Tom Cotton are the senators currently representing the state of Arkansas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Arkansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (61.7%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (35.2%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.64%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Benton County, AR for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Arkansas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

John Boozman

Senator from Arkansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Tom Cotton

Senator from Arkansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

John Boozman and Tom Cotton are the senators currently representing Arkansas.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Arkansas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Arkansas

Arkansas is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Arkansas have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Benton County, AR awarded 2,611 degrees. The student population of Benton County, AR in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 3,901 male students and 5,893 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Benton County, AR are White (1,663 and 65.5%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (483 and 19%), Two or More Races (122 and 4.81%), and Asian (88 and 3.47%).

The largest universities in Benton County, AR by number of degrees awarded are NorthWest Arkansas Community College (1,919 and 73.5%), John Brown University (549 and 21%), and Academy of Professional Cosmetology (69 and 2.64%).

The most popular majors in Benton County, AR are Liberal Arts & Sciences (739 and 28.3%), General Health Services (346 and 13.3%), and General Business Administration & Management (186 and 7.12%).

The median tuition cost in Benton County, AR for private four year colleges is $21,331.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Benton County, AR, the percentage of applicants admitted was 53.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 40.6%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 9,794 (39.8% men and 60.2% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 9,794 students enrolled in Benton County, AR, 39.8% men and 60.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 6,279 records, of which 59.6% were women and 40.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
117 degrees awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
531 degrees awarded
General Studies
155 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Benton County, AR was General Business Administration & Management with 117 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Benton County, AR according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

NorthWest Arkansas Community College
1,919 degrees awarded
John Brown University
549 degrees awarded
Academy of Professional Cosmetology
69 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was NorthWest Arkansas Community College with 1,919 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 896 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Benton County, AR, which is 0.522 times less than the 1,715 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,663 degrees mean that there were 3.44 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 483 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($21,331) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private for-profit, 2-year ($1,601) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private for-profit, 2-year ($1,568) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

Measure

In 2021, 0.862% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.801% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (802k), Some college (542k), and Secondary Education (364k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Benton County, AR was $211,100 in 2021, which is 0.862 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $192,900 to $211,100, a 9.43% increase. The homeownership rate in Benton County, AR is 67%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Benton County, AR have an average commute time of 20.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Benton County, AR is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Benton County, AR is $76,887. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Benton County, AR was Census Tract 213.06 with a value of $214,321, followed by Census Tract 213.08 and Census Tract 206.06, with respective values of $151,250 and $147,694.

In 2022, 11.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Benton County, AR. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.55%.

Housing

Property

$211,100

Median Property Value 2021

±$4,211

$67,711

Median Property Taxes

±$1,982

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Benton County, AR the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Benton County, AR compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

67%

Homeownership

2021

66%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 67% of the housing units in Benton County, AR were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 65.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Benton County, AR compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 213.06
Census Tract 213.08
Census Tract 206.06

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Benton County, AR was Census Tract 213.06 with a value of $214,321, followed by Census Tract 213.08 and Census Tract 206.06, with respective values of $151,250 and $147,694.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Benton County, AR colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$76,887

Median Household Income

± $2,240

101k

Number of Households

± 2,461

In 2021, the median household income of the 101k households in Benton County, AR grew to $76,887 from the previous year's value of $71,556.

The following chart displays the households in Benton County, AR distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Benton County, AR is from Arkansas.

0.45

2021 Wage GINI in Arkansas

0.45

2020 Wage GINI in Arkansas

In 2021, the income inequality in Arkansas was 0.45 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0627% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Arkansas was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Arkansas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Arkansas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (80%)
Worked At Home (9.91%)
Carpooled (8.1%)

In 2021, 80% of workers in Benton County, AR drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.91%) and those who carpooled to work (8.1%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

20.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Benton County, AR have a shorter commute time (20.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 0.983% of the workforce in Benton County, AR have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Benton County, AR compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Benton County, AR distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Benton County, AR have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 11.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Benton County, AR. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.55%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

8.08% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Benton County, AR (22.2k out of 275k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Benton County, AR is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 12.5% of the children was living in poverty in Benton County, AR. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 6.5%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 275 in Benton County, AR. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 17.3 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function

Health

90.7% of the population of Benton County, AR has health coverage, with 54.9% on employee plans, 14.4% on Medicaid, 10.5% on Medicare, 9.43% on non-group plans, and 1.47% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Benton County, AR see 1662 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1662 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2367 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 434 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,662 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Benton County, AR

Primary care physicians in Benton County, AR see an average of 1,662 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,662 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Benton County, AR in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 27.5% under 18 years, 21.6% between 18 and 34 years, 37.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

9.27%

Uninsured

54.9%

Employer Coverage

14.4%

Medicaid

10.5%

Medicare

9.43%

Non-Group

1.47%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Benton County, AR grew by 6.4% from 8.71% to 9.27%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Benton County, AR changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 53.6 in Benton County, AR.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Benton County, AR.

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 29.8% in Benton County, AR.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Benton County, AR.

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function