Benton County, Tennessee

Benton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,489.[2] Its county seat is Camden.[3] The county was created in December 1835 and organized in 1836.[4][5]

Not to be confused with Benton, Tennessee.
Benton County
U.S. county
Benton County Courthouse in Camden
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
Tennessee's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°04′N 88°04′W
Country United States
State Tennessee
Founded1836
Named forDavid Benton (early settler)[1]
SeatCamden
Largest cityCamden
Area
 • Total436 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Land394 sq mi (1,020 km2)
 • Water41 sq mi (110 km2)  9.6%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
16,184
 • Density42/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts7th, 8th
Websitewww.bentoncountytn.gov

Benton County is located in northwest Tennessee, bordering the western branch of the Tennessee River and 30 miles south of the Kentucky border. Aside from Camden, other major communities include agrarian communities Big Sandy and Holladay. It is known well in the area for its duck hunting and fishing industries, and in the past, was recognized for sorghum production, although it is no longer produced there.

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 square miles (1,130 km2), of which 394 square miles (1,020 km2) is land and 42 square miles (110 km2) (9.6%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

State protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18404,772—
18506,31532.3%
18608,46334.0%
18708,234−2.7%
18809,78018.8%
189011,23014.8%
190011,8885.9%
191012,4524.7%
192012,046−3.3%
193011,237−6.7%
194011,9766.6%
195011,495−4.0%
196010,662−7.2%
197012,12613.7%
198014,90122.9%
199014,524−2.5%
200016,53713.9%
201016,489−0.3%
2018 (est.)16,184[7]−1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2014[2]
Age pyramid Benton County[12]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 16,537 people, 6,863 households, and 4,886 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 people per square mile (16/km2). 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.

Of the 16,459 people leaving in Benton County 0.03 percent are on some form of state advised probation.

Media

Radio stations

Newspapers

The Camden Chronicle

  • Tennessee Magnet Publications

Communities

City

Town

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Politics

Benton County, like most West Tennessee counties, is a historically Democratic county. The Democratic nominee for president carried the county in every election prior to 2008 with the exception of 1968, when the county was won by third party candidate George Wallace, and 1972, when it was won by Republican Richard Nixon. Like most rural counties in the South, Benton County has swung dramatically toward the GOP in the 21st century, and since 2008, it has been a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to carry this county was John Kerry in 2004.

Presidential election results
Presidential Elections Results[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 78.1% 5,661 21.1% 1,526 0.9% 63
2016 74.5% 4,716 23.3% 1,474 2.2% 138
2012 61.8% 3,850 36.3% 2,258 1.9% 118
2008 57.1% 3,696 40.8% 2,645 2.1% 138
2004 44.6% 3,161 54.6% 3,869 0.9% 60
2000 39.4% 2,484 58.6% 3,700 2.0% 127
1996 32.2% 2,395 58.3% 4,341 9.6% 714
1992 26.6% 1,625 63.7% 3,896 9.7% 593
1988 43.3% 2,167 56.4% 2,826 0.3% 16
1984 42.1% 2,481 57.6% 3,398 0.3% 18
1980 36.8% 2,281 61.5% 3,811 1.6% 101
1976 28.9% 1,678 70.4% 4,088 0.7% 40
1972 61.8% 2,614 35.0% 1,479 3.2% 135
1968 30.7% 1,468 22.2% 1,059 47.2% 2,255
1964 34.3% 1,363 65.7% 2,611
1960 45.2% 1,773 51.8% 2,030 3.1% 120
1956 36.2% 1,279 63.2% 2,231 0.6% 21
1952 34.6% 1,304 65.0% 2,452 0.4% 16
1948 32.6% 908 63.0% 1,757 4.4% 123
1944 38.3% 1,195 60.9% 1,901 0.9% 28
1940 29.8% 858 69.4% 1,996 0.8% 23
1936 27.2% 661 72.5% 1,762 0.3% 6
1932 22.5% 455 76.2% 1,540 1.3% 26
1928 43.1% 949 56.3% 1,241 0.6% 13
1924 38.5% 714 59.2% 1,097 2.3% 42
1920 44.0% 1,514 55.7% 1,914 0.3% 10
1916 37.6% 805 61.3% 1,313 1.1% 24
1912 31.6% 652 53.0% 1,095 15.4% 319

See also

References
  1. Johnathan K.T. Smith, "Benton County," Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved: 31 March 2013.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. "Tennessee: Individual County Chronologies". Tennessee Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  5. "Benton County". Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Tennessee Historical Society. December 25, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  10. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  12. Based on 2000 census data
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-09.

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