2022 · The Wide-Open Spaces of Yates County · Wikimedia Commons
Benton’s story
Benton in pictures
4 postcards, papers and photographs from public archives, and 6 places on the National Register.
BentonNY
A town of 2,948. Healthier than 53% of U.S. towns.
Population
2,948
+5.3% since 2010
Median home value
$259K
Census ACS
Household income
$75K
median
Median age
40.6
years
Jobs based here
808
Balanced
What makes Benton stand out
The 2 things Benton does most differently from other towns.
Benton’s report card
Now in Benton
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Residents weigh in
Benton is #769 of 771 in NY for “Most conserved land”. Fair?
Your answer becomes a post in Benton’s Town Square.
Start a conversation
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Benton. Another town gets a different order.
Work & commute
About one in ten working residents works right in Benton
Most working residents leave Benton for work: only 10% work in town. The top destinations are Milo (25%), Jerusalem (6%) and Geneva (5%). Half commute less than 11 miles.
10%work in town
Where working residents work
In Benton10%
Milo25%
Jerusalem6%
Geneva5%
Torrey4%
11 mi
median commute distance
808
jobs based in Benton
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Health
Healthier than 53% of U.S. towns
Benton beats the New York average on 3 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 8.
B−Health Grade
32 measures vs. New York
3 better21 too close to call8 worse
| What stands out | Benton | NY |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 11.2% | 14.5% |
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 6.7% | 8.2% |
| More adults with COPD | 9% | 6% |
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital of Yates
3.6 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, mental health
37th
percentile among NY towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
Climate
Snowy winters, pleasant summers
Benton has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 80°, a January night drops to 17°, and about 57 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
57″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter19–34°
Spring35–55°
Summer58–79°
Fall42–60°
Oct 22
typical first frost
Apr 30
typical last frost
+1.3°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Schools
Benton’s public schools outperform 55% of New York districts
The public schools Benton’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 55% of New York’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.
BSchool Grade
| School | Grades | Students | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton Mennonite School Private | 1–8 | 23 | |
| Sunny Haven Mennonite School Private | 1–8 | 23 |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within NY on state tests and graduationAll 2 schools →
Natural hazards
Moderate risk, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 49% of U.S. communities.
49risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingDrought
4
paid flood claims since 1986
3
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Landmarks
6 places in Benton on the National Register of Historic Places.
About Benton
Town in New York, United States
Benton is a town in Yates County, New York, United States. The population was 2,836 at the 2010 census. The town is named after an early resident, Levi Benton (1746–1820) The Town of Benton is located in the northeast part of the county. Benton is on the west side of Seneca Lake, north of Penn Yan.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Population
- 2,985
- Area
- 44 sq mi
- Elevation
- 915 ft
Benton’s neighbors
9 towns share a border with Benton.
TorreyMiloPotterSenecaJerusalemPenn YanVarickRomulusGenevaBenton