Benton County, Missouri

Benton County, Missouri
Location in the state of Missouri
Missouri's location in the U.S.
Founded	1835
Named for	Thomas Hart Benton, U.S. senator from Missouri
Seat	Warsaw
Largest city	Warsaw
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	752.48 sq mi (1,949 km²) 705.51 sq mi (1,827 km²) 46.97 sq mi (122 km²), 6.24
Population  - (2010)  - Density	19,056 24/sq mi (9/km²)
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5

Benton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 19,056 at the 2010 census, representing a 10.9% change from the 2000 census population of 17,180. In 2005, its estimated population was 18,854. From 2000-2005, the population of the county grew 9.7%, making it the ninth fastest growing county in the state of Missouri. Its county seat is Warsaw. The county was organized in 1835 and named for Thomas Hart Benton, U.S. senator from Missouri.

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 752.48 square miles (1,948.9 km²), of which 705.51 square miles (1,827.3 km²) (or 93.76%) is land and 46.97 square miles (121.7 km²) (or 6.24%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Pettis County (north)
• Morgan County (northeast)
• Camden County (southeast)
• Hickory County (south)
• St. Clair County (southwest)
• Henry County (west)

Major highways

• U.S. Route 65
• Route 7
• Route 83
• Route 52

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,180 people, 7,420 households, and 5,179 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 12,691 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.96% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,420 households out of which 23.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.60% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the county the population was spread out with 20.50% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 21.80% from 25 to 44, 29.70% from 45 to 64, and 22.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,646, and the median income for a family was $32,459. Males had a median income of $26,203 versus $19,054 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,457. About 10.20% of families and 15.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.50% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.

Golf

Shawnee Bend Golf Course. Classic Ozark golf on the far Westside of the Lake in Warsaw. Opened in 1985, it is now considered one of the best 9 hole courses in the Midwest. Signature par-three 5th hole is one of the most scenic holes in the state of Missouri.

Cities and towns

Cole Camp Edwards Ionia

Lincoln Mora Warsaw

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Benton County, Missouri

External links

• http://www.hearthstonelegacy.com/benton.htm
• Benton County Courthouse Official Website
• Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Benton County from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books