Benton County, Tennessee

History

Benton County was formed in 1835 from part of Humphreys County. It was named in honor of David Benton (1779–1860), who was an early settler in the county and a member of the Third Regiment, Tennessee Militia in the Creek War.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 436 sqmi, of which 394 sqmi is land and 42 sqmi (9.6%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Stewart County (northeast)
• Houston County (northeast)
• Humphreys County (east)
• Perry County (southeast)
• Decatur County (south)
• Carroll County (west)
• Henry County (northwest)

National protected area

• Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge (part)

State protected areas

• Big Sandy Wildlife Management Area (part)
• Camden Wildlife Management Area
• Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park
• Harmon Creek Wildlife Management Area
• Lick Creek Wildlife Management Area
• Natchez Trace State Forest (part)
• Natchez Trace State Park (part)
• New Hope Wildlife Management Area

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020

2020 census

The racial composition per the 2020 census is detailed in the table above.

As of the 2020 census, there were 15,864 people, 6,881 households, and 3,832 families residing in the county.

The median age was 47.9 years. 19.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.6 males age 18 and over.

There were 6,881 households in the county, of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.7% were married-couple households, 20.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 8,485 housing units, of which 18.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.4% were owner-occupied and 23.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.2%.

Fewer than 0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 16,537 people, 6,863 households, and 4,886 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 /mi2. There were 8,595 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (8/2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.44% White, 2.10% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,863 households, out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.00% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 27.00% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,679, and the median income for a family was $32,727. Males had a median income of $29,177 versus $19,038 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,646. About 11.90% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.90% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

Media

Radio stations

• WRJB-FM 95.9 "B-95"
• WRQR-FM 105.5 (Henry Co) "Today's Best Music with Ace & TJ in the Morning"
• WTPR-AM 710 (Henry Co) "The Greatest Hits of All Time"
• WTPR-FM 101.7 (Henry Co) "The Greatest Hits of All Time"

Newspapers

The Camden Chronicle

• Tennessee Magnet Publications

Communities

City

• Camden (county seat)

Town

• Big Sandy

Census-designated places

• Eva
• Holladay

Unincorporated community

• Post Oak

Politics

References

References

1. Johnathan K.T. Smith, "[http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=81 Benton County]," ''Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture''. Retrieved: March 31, 2013.
2. "Benton County, Tennessee". United States Census Bureau.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
4. (2007). "Tennessee: Individual County Chronologies". [[The Newberry Library]].
5. (December 25, 2009). "Benton County". Tennessee Historical Society.
6. "44769_003".
7. Hargett, Tre. (January 2010). "47 County Names.pdf".
8. Borchert. (27 January 2010). "TN HJR0766 - HJR0766.pdf HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 766".
9. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
12. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
13. (April 2, 2001). "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
14. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
15. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
16. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
17. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".