Benson, North Carolina

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Benson, North Carolina
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Benson, North Carolina


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = North Carolina
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Johnston
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = William W. Massengill
leader_title1 = Town Manager
leader_name1 = Keith Langdon

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 5.5
area_land_km2 = 5.5
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 2.1
area_land_sq_mi = 2.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3374
population_density_km2 = 532.9
population_density_sq_mi = 1380.1

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 74
elevation_ft = 243
latd = 35 |latm = 22 |lats = 56 |latNS = N
longd = 78 |longm = 32 |longs = 46 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 27504
area_code = 919
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 37-05040GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1019093GR|3
website = http://www.townofbenson.com/
footnotes =

Benson is a town located in Johnston County, North Carolina. The town lies at the intersection of Interstates 95 and 40. Each year Benson celebrates Mule Days the 4th Saturday of September, a festival that attracts over 60,000 people each year. [http://www.bensonmuledays.com/] In 2006, the estimated population was 3,374. [http://www.city-data.com/city/Benson-North-Carolina.html]

Geography

Benson is located at 35°22'56" North, 78°32'46" West (35.382270, -78.546206).GR|1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.5 km²), of which, 2.1 square miles (5.5 km²) of it is land and 0.47% is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 2,923 people, 1,230 households, and 757 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,380.1 people per square mile (532.3/km²). There were 1,364 housing units at an average density of 644.0/sq mi (248.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 57.61% White, 34.04% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 5.78% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. 7.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,230 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.0% were married couples living together, 20.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the town the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 83.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,582, and the median income for a family was $32,277. Males had a median income of $29,375 versus $20,045 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,350. 25.0% of the population and 20.2% of families were below the poverty line. 39.7% of those under the age of 18 and 23.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

History

The town was founded by John William Wood Sr. who rode to it each morning on a mule and wagon from his home near Meadows, North Carolina.

Education

*Benson Elementary School
*Meadow Elementary School
*Benson Middle School
*McGee's Crossroads Middle School
*West Johnston High School

References

External links

* [http://www.townofbenson.com/ Official Benson, NC website]
* [http://www.bensonmuledays.com/ Mule Days]
* [http://www.johnstoncountync.org/ Official Visitor Information website hosted by the Johnston County Visitors Bureau