Benton County, Tennessee

Not to be confused with Benton, Tennessee.
Benton County, Tennessee

Benton County Courthouse in Camden
Map of Tennessee highlighting Benton County
Location in the state of Tennessee
Map of the United States highlighting Tennessee
Tennessee's location in the U.S.
Founded 1836
Named for David Benton (early settler)[1]
Seat Camden
Largest city Camden
Area
 • Total 436 sq mi (1,129 km2)
 • Land 394 sq mi (1,020 km2)
 • Water 41 sq mi (106 km2), 9.6%
Population
 • (2010) 16,489
 • Density 42/sq mi (16/km²)
Congressional districts 7th, 8th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.bentoncountytn.gov

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]

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
Census Pop. %±
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%
Est. 201416,145[7]−2.1%
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/km²). 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 .03 percent are on some form of state advised probation.

Media

Radio stations

Newspapers

The Camden Chronicle

Communities

See also

References

  1. ↑ Johnathan K.T. Smith, "Benton County," Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved: 31 March 2013.
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. 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. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  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. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Benton County, Tennessee.
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Coordinates: 36°04′N 88°04′W / 36.07°N 88.07°W / 36.07; -88.07

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