Benton County Demographics

A map of Benton County's Population by Race

Benton County, Missouri has an estimated population of 20,151, an increase from the 19,394 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 91.6% White, 4.1% Multiracial, 2.0% Hispanic, 1.1% Native American/Other, 1.0% Black, and 0.2% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Benton County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Benton has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Missouri overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Benton County, that probability was 14.2% in 2020 and 15.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Benton County is ranked the 55th most populous county in Missouri, out of 115 counties. Benton County was ranked the 56th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Benton County's White Population

18,460 residents of Benton County, or 91.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Benton County is significantly higher than in Missouri overall, where 76.3% of the population is White. Benton County ranks 32nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Benton County's White population has grown by an estimated 2.9%. White residents' share of Benton County's population has decreased from 92.5% to 91.6%.

Benton County is more White than neighboring Pettis County (82.1% White), and Henry County (91.3% White). Benton County is less White than neighboring Hickory County (93.4% White), Morgan County (91.9% White), and St. Clair County (92.8% White).

Benton County's Black Population

193 residents of Benton County, or 1.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Benton County is lower than in Missouri overall, where 10.9% of the population is Black. Benton County ranks 87th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Benton County's Black population has grown by an estimated 157.3%. Black residents' share of Benton County's population has increased from 0.4% to 1.0%.

Benton County is more Black than neighboring Hickory County (0.1% Black), Morgan County (0.2% Black), Henry County (0.8% Black), and St. Clair County (0.8% Black). Benton County is less Black than neighboring Pettis County (2.5% Black).

Benton County's Asian Population

32 residents of Benton County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Benton County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 2.1% of the population is Asian. Benton County ranks 82nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Benton County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 37.3%. Asian residents' share of Benton County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Benton County is less Asian than neighboring Hickory County (0.5% Asian), Morgan County (0.4% Asian), and Pettis County (0.7% Asian).

Benton County's Hispanic Population

411 residents of Benton County, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Benton County is slightly lower than in Missouri overall, where 5.2% of the population is Hispanic. Benton County ranks 91st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Benton County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 32.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Benton County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.0%.

Benton County is more Hispanic than neighboring Hickory County (1.8% Hispanic). Benton County is less Hispanic than neighboring Morgan County (2.6% Hispanic), Pettis County (9.9% Hispanic), Henry County (3% Hispanic), and St. Clair County (2.2% Hispanic).

Benton County's Native American/Other Population

227 residents of Benton County, or 1.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Benton County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Benton County ranks 46th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Benton County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 57.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Benton County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Benton County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Hickory County (0.1% Native American/Other), Morgan County (0.2% Native American/Other), Pettis County (0.6% Native American/Other), Henry County (0.2% Native American/Other), and St. Clair County (0.2% Native American/Other).

Benton County's Multiracial Population

828 residents of Benton County, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Benton County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Benton County ranks 59th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Benton County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 5.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Benton County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.1%.

Benton County is more Multiracial than neighboring St. Clair County (3.8% Multiracial). Benton County is less Multiracial than neighboring Hickory County (4.2% Multiracial), Morgan County (4.7% Multiracial), Pettis County (4.2% Multiracial), and Henry County (4.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.