Benson, Arizona

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Benson, Arizona
settlement_type = City


imagesize = 250px
image_caption = Station in Benson

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Cochise County and the state of Arizona

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mapsize1 = 250px
map_caption1 = Detailed map of Benson
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Arizona
subdivision_name2 = Cochise
established_title = Founded
established_date = 1880
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Mark Fenn
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 92.5
area_total_sq_mi = 35.7
area_land_km2 = 92.5
area_land_sq_mi = 35.7
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
elevation_ft = 3586
elevation_m = 1093
population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes = cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-04.csv|title=Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Arizona|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=2008-07-10|accessdate=2008-07-14]
population_total = 4974
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 53.3
population_density_sq_mi = 138.2
timezone = MST (no daylight saving time)
utc_offset = -7
latd = 31 |latm = 57 |lats = 20 |latNS = N
longd = 110 |longm = 18 |longs = 24 |longEW = W
website = http://www.cityofbenson.com/
timezone_DST =
utc_offset_DST =
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 85602
area_code = 520
GNIS_id = 1248
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 04-05770
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
footnotes =

Benson is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, in the United States, 45 miles east-southeast of Tucson. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 4,934.cite web | date = June 21 2006 | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2005-04-04.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Arizona | format = CSV | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessdate = November 15 | accessyear = 2006]

The city was founded in 1880 when the Southern Pacific Railroad came through. It was named after Judge William B. Benson, a friend of the president of the railroad.

The city is perhaps best known as the gateway to Kartchner Caverns State Park.

Geography

Benson is located at coor dms|31|57|10|N|110|18|24|W|city (31.95288, -110.30677)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.7 square miles (92.5 km²), all land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 4,711 people, 2,084 households, and 1,346 families residing in the city. The population density was 131.9 people per square mile (50.9/km²). There were 2,822 housing units at an average density of 79.0/sq mi (30.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.32% White, 19.85% Hispanic or Latino (of any race), 1.29% Native American, 0.72% Black or African American, 0.47% Asian, and 0.13% Pacific Islander. 5.69% were from other races, and 2.38% from two or more races.

There were 2,084 households out of which 18.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the city the population was spread out with 19.5% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 29.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,289, and the median income for a family was $36,364. Males had a median income of $34,013 versus $18,964 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,315. About 6.2% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.1% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

Weather

Similar to other desert plains areas of Arizona, Benson receives little rainfall and is relatively hot. A little snow occasionally falls in the winter.

Transportation

Benson is served by Interstate 10 to the north, which travels directly to downtown Tucson.

It is also served by State Route 80, which has its western terminus at Interstate 10. It heads southeast from the city.

Amtrak provides passenger rail service at 105 E. 4th Street (see also Benson, Arizona (Amtrak station)).

Education

The World University is located in Benson.

Media references

* "Benson, Arizona" is the name of the theme song to the movie "Dark Star".
* In a tip of the hat to "Dark Star", the Avengers crossover story "", which is about a war between alien races, commences in Benson.
* "Benton, Arizona" is the fictitious Arizona town that Humphrey Bogart's character, Vincent Parry, transits by bus on his way to Peru through Mexico in the 1947 Bogart & Bacall film "Dark Passage". In reality, this would have been "Benson, Arizona".

References

External links

* [http://www.benson-arizona.com/ Benson Public Info Site]
* [http://www.cityofbenson.com/ City of Benson]
* [http://www.bensonchamberaz.com/ The Benson/San Pedro Valley] Chamber of Commerce