Benton County, Missouri

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 82
• Route 52

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 19,394. The median age was 53.8 years. 17.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 30.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.0 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[11][12][13]

The racial makeup of the county was 93.0% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.6% of the population.^[13]

There were 8,525 households in the county, of which 20.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[12]

There were 13,551 housing units, of which 37.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.4% were owner-occupied and 19.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.3%.^[12]

2000 census

As of the census^[23] 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 (9.3 people/km²). There were 12,691 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9/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. 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.

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Benton County is a part of the Bible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Benton County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (38.72%), Lutherans (LCMS) (19.06%), and United Methodists (14.49%).

Public schools

• Cole Camp R-I School District – Cole Camp
  • Cole Camp Elementary School (PK-05)
  • Cole Camp Middle School (06-08)
  • Cole Camp High School (09-12)
• Lincoln R-II School District – Lincoln
  • Lincoln Elementary School (K-06)
  • Lincoln High School (07-12)
• Warsaw R-IX School District – Warsaw
  • North Elementary School (PK-05)
  • South Elementary School (PK-05)
  • John Boise Middle School (06-08)
  • Warsaw High School (09-12)

Private schools

• Cornerstone Academy of the Ozarks - Warsaw (PK-12) - Interdenominational Christian^[24]
• Lutheran School Association – Cole Camp (K-08) – Lutheran
• Most of the students who attend Cole Camp's Lutheran School Association attend Benton County R-1 High in Cole Camp.

Public libraries

• Boonslick Regional Library^[25]

Local

The Republican Party controls politics at the local level in Benton County. Republicans hold every elected position 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.

• District 57 — Rodger Reedy (R-Windsor). Consists of the northern half of the county, including Cole Camp, Ionia, and Lincoln.

• District 125 — Jim Kalberloh (R-Lowry City). Consists of the southern half of the county, including Edwards and Warsaw.

All of Benton County is a part of Missouri's 28th District in the Missouri Senate, which is represented by Sandy Crawford (R-Buffalo). A previous incumbent, Mike Parson, was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2016 and became Governor in 2018 following the resignation of Eric Greitens.

Federal

All of Benton County is included in Missouri's 4th Congressional District and is currently represented by Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Hartzler was elected to a sixth term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Lindsey Simmons.

Benton County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in the U.S. Senate by Josh Hawley (R-Columbia) and Roy Blunt (R-Strafford).

Blunt was elected to a second term in 2016 over then-Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander.

Missouri presidential preference primaries

Cities

• Cole Camp
• Lincoln
• Warsaw (county seat)

Village

• Ionia

Census-designated places

• Bent Tree Harbor
• White Branch

Townships

• Alexander
• Cole
• Fristoe
• North Lindsey
• South Lindsey
• Tom
• Union
• White
• Williams

Other communities