Benton
City in Franklin County, Illinois
Benton is a city in Franklin County, Illinois, with 6,709 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 446 ft (136 m) above sea level. The nearest town is West City, 2.1 miles SW.
- 6,709residents (2020 Census)
- 446 ftelevation · 136 m
- 5.5 sq miland area · 14.2 km²
- 1,222 / sq mipopulation density
- 62812ZIP code
About Benton
Benton is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,709 at the 2020 census. In 1839, Franklin County was split roughly in half and the county seat was permanently fixed "at a hill at the south end of Rowling's Prairie", the site of the future city of Benton. Benton's namesake is Missouri senator Thomas Hart Benton. The village of Benton was organized in 1841 on 20 acres (8.1 ha) of property donated by John Ewing and Walter S. Akin. In 1902, the village became a city, and incorporated under the mayor/commissioner form of government.
The Franklin County Courthouse sat in the center of the Public Square. It was the fourth courthouse that served the people of Franklin County. The Italianate building was constructed in 1874–75 for $27,500. Much of Benton's growth in the past was due to an abundance of high sulfur coal, multiple railroads that pass through the town, fertile soil, and its industry.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Nearest webcams to Benton
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Living in Benton
- Median household income
- $54,123
- Median home value
- $87,200
- Median rent
- $798/mo
- Median age
- 42.6
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Map of Benton
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Open in Google Maps ›Benton, IL population
Benton had 6,709 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 6,709 |
|---|---|
| Density | 1,222 per sq mi (472 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Benton at a glance
| State | Illinois (IL) |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Type | City |
| Population | 6,709 (2020) |
| Land area | 5.49 sq mi (14.2 km²) |
| Water area | 0.17 sq mi (0.45 km²) |
| Elevation | 446 ft (136 m) |
| Coordinates | 38.0132° N, 88.9173° W |
| ZIP code | 62812 |
| Official website | bentonil.com |
| Census code (GEOID) | 1705300 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Benton
- West City2.1 mi SW
- Buckner5.8 mi SW
- Hanaford6.2 mi SE
- Ewing6.3 mi NE
- Valier6.9 mi W
- Orient7.4 mi SW
- West Frankfort7.9 mi S
- Christopher7.9 mi W
- North City8.1 mi W
- Sesser9.0 mi NW
- Ina9.5 mi N
- Zeigler10.5 mi SW
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Benton
What county is Benton in?
Benton is in Franklin County, Illinois.
What is the population of Benton, IL?
6,709 people lived in Benton at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Benton, IL?
The ZIP code of Benton is 62812.
What is the elevation of Benton?
446 feet (136 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Benton?
West City (2.1 mi), Buckner (5.8 mi), Hanaford (6.2 mi), Ewing (6.3 mi), Valier (6.9 mi).
Last updated: