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Benson

A town of 221 people in Hamilton County, New York

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Town hallWanted · be the first Main streetWanted · be the first The libraryWanted · be the first Add a photoStart the Benson album

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Now in Benson

What’s happening this week

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Around town

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Around town

The places and views that make it Benson

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The Benson album

0 of 12 shotsNeighbors document Benson together

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Outdoors in Benson

Parks & trails →

Map of Benson: conserved land, trails and the top places to walk

Conserved land91%48,057 of 52,908 acres

Trails34 mi0.4 mi per sq mi

Parks & preserves3named on the map

1Silver Lake Wilderness27.3 mi of trails · 40,987 acres Directions

2Shaker Mountain Wild Forest5.1 mi of trails · 6,880 acres Directions

3Cathead Mountain Primitive Area172 acres

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

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Know Benson

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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About Benson

Town in New York, United States

Benson is a town in Hamilton County, New York, United States. The population was 221 at the 2020 census. The town is on the southern border of Hamilton County and is northwest of Schenectady.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

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Living in Benson

Health in Benson

Compared with New York

10better than NY·15worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 7 are too close to call.

Conditions 12▼ 0 close Habits 1▼ 3 close Care 4▲ 1▼ 2 close Mind 2▲ 1▼ 2 close Everyday needs 4▲ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

5.8%Fewer uninsured adultsNY 7.9% · better 10.7%Fewer adults facing housing insecurityNY 14.5% · better 9.6%More adults with COPDNY 6% · worse

Care nearby

Nathan Littauer HospitalGloversville · 15.4 mi · ER

Hometown Health Centers at AmsterdamAmsterdam · 25.6 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP code 12134 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Benson →

Natural hazards in Benson

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 81% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves

0Does Benson flood?no paid flood claims on record 1Disasters that paid out herefederal disaster sent FEMA money to Benson MapBenson vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Benson →

Climate in Benson

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Benson has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 78°, a January night drops to 9°, and about 60 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

31° / 12°Winter

52° / 30°Spring

76° / 53°Summer

56° / 37°Fall

How much snow does Benson get?About 60 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 3, with the last in spring around May 11.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.3° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Benson →

Libraries near Benson

Nearest: Northville Public LibraryNorthville · 10.7 miles · 32 hrs a week

Famous people from BensonWriters, athletes, leaders and more who were born in Benson.Meet them →

Where Benson is

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Locator map of Benson — Wikimedia Commons · Map: Rcsprinter123 · CC BY 3.0

Location map

New York · NY · Hamilton CountyTown boundary on OpenStreetMap →

How things work in Benson

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Town hall & decisionsTrash, recycling & yard wasteUtilities & servicesStreets, parking & getting aroundSafety & preparednessSchools & learningParks, sports & recreationHealth & emergency care