Benson, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
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
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²), of which, 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) of it is land and 0.47% is water.
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 per square mile (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.
Mr. Benson's purchase of a 402 acres (1.6 km²) tract along the Smithfield-Fayetteville Road in 1874 initiated the settlement of the area now known as Benson. During the 1880s Benson sold portions of his original tract to incoming settlers, many of whom were farmers. Benson was incorporated in 1887 and soon attracted a number of entrepreneurs wishing to take advantage of this new town along an important transportation route.http://www.townofbenson.com/about/townhistory.cfm
The town was founded by John William Wood Sr. (December 28, 1855 - October 31, 1928) who rode to it each morning on a mule and wagon from his home at Peacocks Crossroads near Meadow, North Carolina. After having served on the Board of Education and for years as a County Commissioner, where he was known to be a watchdog of the treasury, he was elected to a term in the State House of Representatives in 1927. Meadow School was built on land donated by him at his home.
Johnston County, North Carolina
-Major highways:* Interstate 40* Interstate 95* U.S. Highway 70* U.S. Highway 301* U.S. Highway 701-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 121,965 people, 46,595 households, and 33,688 families residing in the county. The population density was 154 people per square mile . There were...
. The town lies at the intersection of Interstates 95
Interstate 95 in North Carolina
Interstate 95 is a major Interstate Highway, running along the East Coast of the United States from Florida to Maine. In North Carolina, I-95 runs diagonally across the eastern third of the state, from Rowland in the southwest to Roanoke Rapids in the northeast of the Inner Banks.-Route...
and 40
Interstate 40 in North Carolina
Interstate 40 runs through the state of North Carolina from the Tennessee state line in the west to its eastern terminus in Wilmington.-Pigeon River Gorge:...
. 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).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²), of which, 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) of it is land and 0.47% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,923 people, 1,230 households, and 757 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,380.1 people per square mile (532.3/km²). There were 1,364 housing units at an average density of 644.0 per square mile (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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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 of Benson, which derives its name from early settler Alfred Monroe ("Mim") Benson, owes much of its historical development to the railroad line which passed through the present location in town in 1886 on its route between Fayetteville and Contentnea.Mr. Benson's purchase of a 402 acres (1.6 km²) tract along the Smithfield-Fayetteville Road in 1874 initiated the settlement of the area now known as Benson. During the 1880s Benson sold portions of his original tract to incoming settlers, many of whom were farmers. Benson was incorporated in 1887 and soon attracted a number of entrepreneurs wishing to take advantage of this new town along an important transportation route.http://www.townofbenson.com/about/townhistory.cfm
The town was founded by John William Wood Sr. (December 28, 1855 - October 31, 1928) who rode to it each morning on a mule and wagon from his home at Peacocks Crossroads near Meadow, North Carolina. After having served on the Board of Education and for years as a County Commissioner, where he was known to be a watchdog of the treasury, he was elected to a term in the State House of Representatives in 1927. Meadow School was built on land donated by him at his home.
National Guard
Benson, North Carolina is home to Alpha Company 230th BSB who is currently deployed as of 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.Education
- Benson Elementary School
- Meadow Elementary School
- Benson Middle School
- McGee's Crossroads Middle School
- South Johnston High School
- West Johnston High School