Benton County, Arkansas

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Benton County, Arkansas
Map
Map of Arkansas highlighting Benton County
Location in the state of Arkansas
Map of the U.S. highlighting Arkansas
Arkansas's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded 30 September 1836
Seat Bentonville
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

880 sq mi (2,279 km²)
846 sq mi (2,191 km²)
34 sq mi (88 km²), 3.89%
Population
 - (2000)
 - Density

203,107
181/sq mi (70/km²)
Website: www.co.benton.ar.us

Benton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2000 census, the population was 153,406. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 2007 population to be 203,107.[1] The county seat is Bentonville.[2] Benton County was formed on 30 September 1836 and was named after Thomas Hart Benton, U.S. Senator from Missouri. It is dry county; alcohol sales are prohibited.

Benton County is part of the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Contents

[edit] Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 880 square miles (2,280 km²), of which, 846 square miles (2,191 km²) of it is land and 34 square miles (89 km²) of it (3.89%) is water. Most of the water is in Beaver Lake.

[edit] Transportation

The Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport is located near Highfill.

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

[edit] Adjacent counties

[edit] National protected areas

[edit] Demographics

Age pyramid Benton County
Age pyramid Benton County[3]

As of the census[4] of 2000, 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 Benton County's population was 81.7% non-Hispanic white. 1.1% of the population was African-American. 1.6% of the population was Native American. 1.7% of the population was Asian. 0.2% of the population was Pacific Islander. 1.6% reported two or more races. 12.8% of the population was Latino.[5]

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.

[edit] Benton County Corporations

[edit] Cities and towns

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 36°21′08″N, 94°14′03″W