Benson’s story
152 years in pictures
2 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1874Benson is settled
BensonNC
A town of 4,282, settled in 1874. Public schools that outperform most of North Carolina.
Photo: Gerry D · CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
4,282
+19.8% since 2010
Typical home
$317K
+1.1% in a year
Household income
$67K
median
Median age
35.6
years
Jobs based here
2,145
Balanced
What makes Benson stand out
The 3 things Benson does most differently from other towns.
B−School Grade
Schools
Better than 53%
of NC districts
School Grade B−.
Outdoors
#38 most walkable in NC
0.8 miles of trails across 5 parks and preserves
2.3% of the town is conserved land.
100 U.S. towns● Benson
Safety
Safer than 6%
of U.S. towns we grade
Safety Grade D. FBI data, crimes reported to police.
A growing town
Benson has grown 19.8% since 2010
3,311 people in 2010; 4,282 today.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 · ACS
Benson’s report card
SchoolsB−Beats 53% of NC districtsOutdoors1 miof trails · 2.3% conservedSafetyDLess crime than 6% of U.S. townsHealthC−Healthier than 22% of U.S. townsHazards18/100Very low risk of storm & flood damageClimate90°/32°Summer high · winter low · 2″ snowCommute28 miHalf of commuters travel lessHousing$317K5% below the NC typical home
Now in Benson
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Residents weigh in
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Your answer becomes a post in Benson’s Town Square.
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Weather
Forecast →92°
Clear
H 0° · L 54°
Local news
All →- West Johnston vs Overhills - Girls Varsity Flag Football 09/28/2026 | Watch Live & On DemandNFHS Network · Sep 26
- West Johnston vs Harnett Central - Girls Varsity Flag Football 10/07/2026 | Live & On DemandNFHS Network · Sep 26
- West Johnston vs Triton - Girls Varsity Volleyball 09/24/2026 | Watch Live & On DemandNFHS Network · Sep 24
Upcoming events
Nothing on the calendar.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Benson. Another town gets a different order.
Schools
Benson’s public schools outperform 53% of North Carolina districts
The public schools Benson’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 53% of North Carolina’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.
B−School Grade
| School | Grades | Students | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benson Elementary | PK–5 | 719 | C |
| Benson Middle | 6–8 | 377 | C |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within NC on state tests and graduationAll 2 schools →
Outdoors
2.3% of Benson is conserved land
0.8 miles of trails across 5 parks and preserves.
2.3%conserved
2.3%
conserved · 46 of 2,016 acres
0.8 mi
of trails · 0.3 per sq mi
#38
most walkable in NC
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Dr. P.K. VYAS MD Community Park | 0.3 mi | 9 |
| 2. Community Park Expantion | — | 6 |
| 3. Benson Dog Park | — | 5 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-USParks & trails →
Safety
Less crime per resident than 6% of U.S. towns
Benson reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 94% report less.
DSafety Grade
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Benson3
North Carolina3.3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Benson34.8
North Carolina18.1
U.S.15.5
6th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
21st
percentile among NC towns
14
violent crimes reported in 2025
163
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeFull safety report →
Health
Healthier than 22% of U.S. towns
Benson beats the North Carolina average on 0 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 16.
C−Health Grade
32 measures vs. North Carolina
0 better16 too close to call16 worse
| What stands out | Benson | NC |
|---|---|---|
| More adults facing food insecurity | 21.1% | 15.2% |
| More adults facing a utility shut-off | 11.1% | 8.1% |
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 19% | 13.9% |
Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital
8.1 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
24th
percentile among NC towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
Natural hazards
Very low risk, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 18% of U.S. communities.
18risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesHurricanes
2
paid flood claims since 2016
8
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Climate
Mild winters, hot summers
Benson has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 90°, a January night drops to 32°, and about 2 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
2″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter34–55°
Spring48–73°
Summer68–89°
Fall51–73°
Nov 7
typical first frost
Mar 28
typical last frost
+0.9°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Work & commute
Most working residents commute out of Benson
Most working residents leave Benson for work: only 7% work in town. The top destinations are Raleigh (18%), Smithfield (6%) and Dunn (4%). Half commute less than 28 miles.
7%work in town
Where working residents work
In Benson7%
Raleigh18%
Smithfield6%
Dunn4%
Durham3%
28 mi
median commute distance
2,145
jobs based in Benson
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Housing
A typical Benson home is worth about $317K
The typical Benson home is worth about $317,000, up 1.1% in a year, 5% below the North Carolina typical home.
$317KZillow home value
Typical home value
Benson$317K
North Carolina$335K
+1.1%
value change, 1 year
4
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →
About Benson
Town in North Carolina, United States
Benson is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States, near the intersection of Interstates 95 and 40. Benson celebrates Mule Days on the fourth Saturday of September, a festival that attracts over 60,000 people each year. At the 2020 census, the population was 3,967.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1874
- Population
- 3,967
- Area
- 2.8 sq mi
- Elevation
- 243 ft
- ZIP code
- 27504
- Area code
- 919
More about Benson
Still missing for Benson:archive photosupcoming events