Benton County, Missouri


Benton County is a county located in the west central part of the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 19,056 as of the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Warsaw. The county was organized January 3, 1835, and named for U.S. Senator Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Adjacent counties

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. There were 12,691 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile. 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. Approximately 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.

Education

Public schools

Local

The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Benton County. Republicans hold all but one of the elected positions in the county.

State

Benton County is split between two of Missouri’s legislative districts that elect members of the Missouri House of Representatives. Both are represented by Republicans.

All of Benton County is a part of Missouri’s 28th District in the Missouri Senate. The seat is currently vacant. The previous incumbent, Mike Parson, was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2016.

Federal

All of Benton County is included in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District and is currently represented by Vicky Hartzler in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Political culture

Missouri Presidential Preference Primary (2008)