What are the schools like in Benson, IL?

Benson is served primarily by Woodford Cty Special Ed Assoc. The district operates several elementary schools, several middle schools, and several high schools.

What is the median household income in Benson?

The median household income in Benson, IL is $75,139 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 1.9%.

What is the weather like in Benson, IL?

Benson has an average high temperature of 32.8°F in January and 86.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 37.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 27.9 inches.

Benson, IL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Benson, IL affordable or expensive?

Benson's cost of living index is 89, where 100 represents the national average. This means Benson is 11% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $114,700 and the median rent is $925 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Benson, IL?

Crime rate data for Benson is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Benson, IL a Good Place to Live?

Benson is a small town of 446 in Illinois, with a median household income of $75,139 and a 1.9% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is 11% below the national average.

Strengths: Benson stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Benson is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Benson city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 88.6

Benson's overall cost of living index is 88.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Benson costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.

Metric	Benson, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$114,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$925	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	96.5%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$75,139	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Benson is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Benson is served primarily by Woodford Cty Special Ed Assoc.

Metric	Benson, IL	National Avg
School District	Woodford Cty Special Ed Assoc	—
Elementary Schools	N/A	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	N/A	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	N/A	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	12.9%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	96.3%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Benson sees average highs of 32.8°F in January and 86.1°F in July, with 37.5 inches of annual precipitation and 27.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Benson, IL
Average High — January	32.8°F
Average High — July	86.1°F
Annual Precipitation	37.5"
Annual Snowfall	27.9"

Demographics

Metric	Benson, IL	National Avg
Population	446	—
Median Age	40.7	38.9
Unemployment Rate	1.9%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	26.1 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	98.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.1%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.9%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	19.7%	22.2%
65 and over	15.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Roanoke, IL 6 mi Minonk, IL 6 mi Panola, IL 7 mi Secor, IL 8 mi El Paso, IL 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Benson

Benson, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

61516

Benson vs Other Cities

Benson, IL vs Roanoke, IL Benson, IL vs Minonk, IL Benson, IL vs Panola, IL Benson, IL vs Secor, IL Benson, IL vs El Paso, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Benson, IL affordable or expensive?

Benson's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average. That makes Benson roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $114,700 and median rent is $925/month.

What is the crime rate in Benson, IL?

Crime data for Benson is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Benson?

Public schools in Benson are operated by Woodford Cty Special Ed Assoc. The district has several elementary, several middle, and several high schools. 12.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Benson, IL a good place to live?

Benson, IL has a population of 446, a median household income of $75,139, and an unemployment rate of 1.9%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Benson?

Benson averages 32.8°F in January and 86.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.5 inches with about 27.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Benson?

Benson, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 61516.

What is the population of Benson?

The population of Benson, Illinois is 446 with a median age of 40.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Benson?

Key numbers for living in Benson: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $114,700, median household income $75,139. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Benson side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.