Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Benson, NC Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

4,282

Median Agei

35.6

Race & Ethnicityi

White

61.6%2,637

Black

18.8%807

Hispanic/Latino

14%599

Two or More

5.6%239

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.7%115

High School Diploma

23.5%722

Some College (<1 yr)

4.2%130

Some College (1+ yr)

17%522

Associate's Degree

9.1%279

Bachelor's Degree

22%675

Master's Degree

4.7%144

Professional Degree

1.6%50

Doctorate

1.2%37

HS or Higher

87%

BA or Higher

29.5%

Graduate+

7.5%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$279,800

Median Renti

$1,097

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

54.6%965

Renter-Occupied

45.4%802

Total Units

2,093

Homeownership

54.6%

Vacancy Rate

15.6%

Home Values

Under $50K

0.8%8

$50K–$100K

1.5%14

$100K–$150K

6.9%67

$150K–$200K

24%232

$200K–$300K

22.6%218

$300K–$500K

40.2%388

$500K–$1M

3.9%38

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

150

$1,000–$1,250

168

$1,250–$1,500

136

$1,500–$2,000

100

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

2.7%56

2010–2019

17.7%370

2000–2009

21.2%443

1990–1999

6.2%129

1980–1989

10.4%217

1970–1979

13.7%287

1960–1969

5.3%111

1950–1959

9.4%196

1940–1949

3.8%80

1939 or earlier

9.7%204

Heating Fuel

Electricity

81.3%1,436

Utility Gas

17.6%311

No Fuel

1.1%20

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$67,102

Mean Household Incomei

$78,981

Per Capita Incomei

$33,040

Poverty Ratei

14%

Unemploymenti

2.9%

Labor Forcei

1,958

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

9.6%170

$10K–$15K

2.2%38

$15K–$20K

1.5%27

$20K–$25K

1.5%27

$25K–$30K

3.6%63

$30K–$35K

1.8%32

$35K–$40K

2.9%52

$40K–$45K

7.1%126

$45K–$50K

3.7%66

$50K–$60K

5%89

$60K–$75K

15.1%267

$75K–$100K

20.2%357

$100K–$125K

3.7%65

$125K–$150K

12.5%220

$150K–$200K

3.7%66

$200K+

5.8%102

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

190

Residentsi

451

Avg. Tenant Renti

$379/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

30 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing153 homes98% occupied$374/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers34 homes93% occupied$400/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 84 homes

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $67,102/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $20K/yr

93.7%

Very low income$20K–$34K/yr

5.5%

Low income$34K–$54K/yr

0.8%

Who Receives This Housing

84.6% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

79.8% of subsidized households are minority

17.5% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

27.9% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

2064.8%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

157

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

1,901

Avg. Commutei

29.2 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

1,885

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

226(7% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

91%Insured

9%Uninsured

Benson, NC Population, Income & Demographics 2026