Benton
Indiana

What stands out

Three things set Benton County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), the school test score is in the top 6% of American counties (3.46 where 3.0 is grade level), and the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 7% of American counties (0.3 per 1,000). Within Indiana it ranks 10th of 92 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Benton County, Indiana. 8,709 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +68).

Indiana has a flat income tax just under 3% and most counties add their own income tax on top, typically 1% to 2.5%. Property taxes are capped by the state constitution at 1% of assessed value for homesteads. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and the Chicago suburbs in Lake County account for most of the growth; the rest of the state is affordable and slow-changing.

Money

The typical household here brings in $58,620 a year, lower than 56% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,419. Unemployment runs 2.4%, lower than 86% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 27 minutes each way.

Indiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,729 a year.

Home

The median home costs $204K, cheaper than 61% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $865 a month. Property tax is 0.72% of home value, roughly $880 a year on that median home, lower than 63% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 71% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 75.9 years, longer than 50% of American counties. There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 2.3 per 10,000 people. 11.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.28 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 94% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 50 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 64% of eligible voters turned out. Under Indiana law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 51°F, highs near 63 and lows near 40, colder than 69% of American counties. About 29 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 11 out of 100, safer than 89% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 229 Mbps down, faster than 63% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.