Benson, Minnesota

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Benson, Minnesota
settlement_type = City
nickname =
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Benson, Minnesota


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Minnesota
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Swift

government_footnotes =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 6.4
area_land_km2 = 6.4
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 2.5
area_land_sq_mi = 2.5
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3376
population_density_km2 = 525.3
population_density_sq_mi = 1360.5

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 319
elevation_ft = 1047
latd = 45 |latm = 18 |lats = 55 |latNS = N
longd = 95 |longm = 36 |longs = 14 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 56215
area_code = 320
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 27-05212GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0639933GR|3
website = [http://www.bensonmn.org/ www.bensonmn.org]
footnotes =

Benson is a city in Swift County, Minnesota, United States, along the Chippewa River. The population was 3,376 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Swift CountyGR|6.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.4 km²), all of it land.

U.S. Route 12 and Minnesota State Highways 9 and 29 are three of the main routes in the city.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,376 people, 1,451 households, and 880 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,360.5 people per square mile (525.6/km²). There were 1,566 housing units at an average density of 631.1/sq mi (243.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.07% White, 0.24% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.18% of the population.

There were 1,451 households out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,234, and the median income for a family was $44,638. Males had a median income of $31,280 versus $23,444 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,269. About 3.2% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.

Alternative energy

Benson is the home of the United States' first biomass powerplant, Fibrominn which opened in 2007.

Items of Interest

Benson is the hometown of Shakers vodka, which is produced at CVEC.

References

External links

* [http://www.bensonmn.org City website]