# Benton County, Minnesota *County in east central Minnesota, United States* Benton County lies in the east-central region of [[Minnesota]].[^1] The 2020 census counted 41,379 residents, and the county seat is Foley.[^2] The county belongs to the [[St. Cloud]] Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn forms part of the [[Minneapolis]]–St. Paul Combined Statistical Area.[^3] Benton County was created in 1849 and organized the following year, which places it among Minnesota's oldest counties. It takes its name from Thomas Hart Benton, who represented Missouri in the United States Senate.[^4] The seat of county government changed location several times before it moved to Foley in 1897.[^5] ## History For many years the county seat was at Sauk Rapids, where the Sauk River meets the Mississippi. The seat moved to Watab in 1856 and went back to Sauk Rapids in 1859. It moved again in 1897, to Foley, and has stayed there since.[^5] In 1874 a railroad line was built to end at Sauk Rapids. In 1886 a tornado destroyed the town. As the St. Cloud metropolitan area grew, the county's southern portion became suburban.[^6] ## Geography The [[Mississippi River]] runs southeast along the county's western edge. The Platte River crosses the northwest corner from north to south and joins the Mississippi at that western boundary.[^7] The land consists of low rolling hills, either wooded or farmed. It generally falls toward the south and east, while the western part drops into the river valleys.[^8] The county's highest elevation is 1,311 feet (400 m) above sea level. That point is on a small hill about 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Brennyville, near the middle of the northern boundary.[^9] The county covers 413 square miles (1,070 km²) in total. Of that, 408 square miles (1,060 km²) is land and 4.8 square miles (12 km²), or 1.2%, is water. Benton is Minnesota's fifth-smallest county by land area and its fourth-smallest by total area.[^10] U.S. Highway 10 serves the county, along with Minnesota State Highways 15, 23, 25 and 95. Benton borders Morrison County to the north, Mille Lacs County to the east, Sherburne County to the south and Stearns County to the west.[^11] The county's lakes include Graham Lake, Little Rock Lake, Mayhew Lake and part of Donovan Lake. Its protected lands include the Bibles, Sartell and Wisneski State Wildlife Management Areas and part of the Benlacs State Wildlife Management Area. The Englund Ecotone Scientific and Natural Area is also in the county.[^12] ## Climate and weather In recent years, average temperatures at Foley have run from a January low of 2 °F (−17 °C) to a July high of 82 °F (28 °C). The coldest reading on record was −43 °F (−42 °C), in January 1977. The hottest was 107 °F (42 °C), in July 1936.[^13] Average monthly precipitation ranges from 0.62 inches (16 mm) in February to 4.17 inches (106 mm) in June.[^14] ## Demographics The 2020 census recorded 41,379 residents, with a median age of 36.9 years. Of these residents, 25.2% were under 18 and 14.9% were 65 or older. There were 100.3 males for every 100 females. The census race categories break down as follows: - 87.4% White - 4.9% Black or African American - 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native - 1.1% Asian - under 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander - 1.2% some other race - 4.9% two or more races Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 2.9% of the population. Urban areas held 55.0% of residents and rural areas 45.0%.[^15] The county had 16,479 households in 2020. Of these, 31.7% included children under 18 and 47.0% were married-couple households, while 29.0% consisted of a single individual. There were 17,315 housing units, 4.8% of them vacant. Owners occupied 66.7% of occupied units and renters 33.3%.[^16] The 2010 census counted 38,451 residents. The 2000 census counted 34,226 people, 13,065 households and 8,518 families, with a population density of 83.9 persons per square mile.[^17] ## Communities Benton County's cities are Foley (the county seat), Gilman, Rice and Sauk Rapids. Parts of Royalton, St. Cloud and Sartell also lie in the county. The county has twelve townships: Alberta, Gilmanton, Glendorado, Graham, Granite Ledge, Langola, Mayhew Lake, Maywood, Minden, Saint George, Sauk Rapids and Watab. Ronneby is a census-designated place. The unincorporated communities include Brennyville, Duelm, Fruitville, Jakeville, Mayhew, North Benton, Oak Park, Parent, Popple Creek, Rum River and Silver Corners. Estes Brook and Minden are ghost towns.[^18] ## Government and politics For the past several decades, the county's voters have generally favored Republican candidates. Donald Trump carried the county in 2016 with 64.2% of the vote. That was the largest share any presidential candidate had received there since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932.[^19] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota* (revision 1375327521, retrieved 2026-10-25) — location in east-central Minnesota. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota* (revision 1375327521) — 2020 census population of 41,379; county seat at Foley. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota* (revision 1375327521) — membership in the St. Cloud MSA and Minneapolis–St. Paul CSA. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, History section (revision 1375327521) — established 1849, organized 1850; named for Thomas Hart Benton. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, History section (revision 1375327521) — county seat moves: Sauk Rapids, Watab (1856), Sauk Rapids (1859), Foley (1897). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, History section (revision 1375327521) — railroad terminus 1874, tornado 1886, suburban growth. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^7]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, Geography section (revision 1375327521) — Mississippi and Platte river courses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^8]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, Geography section (revision 1375327521) — terrain and slope. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^9]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, Geography section (revision 1375327521) — highest point, 1,311 ft, north of Brennyville. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^10]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, Geography section (revision 1375327521) — total, land and water area; size rank. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^11]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, Geography section (revision 1375327521) — major highways and adjacent counties. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^12]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, Geography section (revision 1375327521) — lakes and protected areas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^13]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, Climate and weather section (revision 1375327521) — average and record temperatures at Foley. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^14]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, Climate and weather section (revision 1375327521) — monthly precipitation range. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^15]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, Demographics section (revision 1375327521) — 2020 census population, age, sex ratio, race categories, urban/rural split. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^16]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, Demographics section (revision 1375327521) — 2020 households and housing units. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^17]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, Demographics section (revision 1375327521) — 2010 and 2000 census counts. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^18]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, Communities section (revision 1375327521) — cities, townships, CDP, unincorporated communities, ghost towns. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota [^19]: Wikipedia contributors, *Benton County, Minnesota*, Government and politics section (revision 1375327521) — voting tendency; 2016 presidential result. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Minnesota