Benson: Demographics & People
Census counts 4,282 people in Benson, in 1,767 households. Population grew 3.3% from 4,144 (2022) to 4,282 (2024). Median age 35.6 years. (2.5y younger than Johnston County; 0.6y younger than North Carolina). Children under 18 are 24% of the population. Population is 62% White (non-Hispanic) and 19% Black. The community is highly diverse (Simpson index 0.64). 61% of households are family-led. County is gaining 8,107 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs North Carolina avg 2.5).
- 39% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs North Carolina 42%).
- 76 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs North Carolina 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 3.3% from 4,144 (2022) to 4,282 (2024) — about 5.6× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~4,425 (extrapolated at 1.7%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 4,622.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 133,568 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 3.3% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 4,144 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 4,282 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 4,282 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Population Estimate | 4,622 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 35.6y is 3.3 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 24% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 35.6 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 24.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 4,282 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 1,029 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 1,016.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 1,421.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 816 |
| Population under 18 | 1,029 |
| Median age | 35.6 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 4,282 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.64 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as highly diverse.
| White residents | 1,974 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 1,469 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 972 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 64.1% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | highly diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 44.7% |
| Black population | 18.8% (vs North Carolina 26.0%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 14.0% (vs North Carolina 12.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 61.6% (vs North Carolina 51.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 5% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 3,124 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 932 |
| Share born in this state | 73.0% |
| Share born in another state | 27.0% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 21.8% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 4.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 317 |
| From Europe | 12 |
Households & Family Composition
1,767 households. Averaging 2.6 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 61% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 1,089 families, 19% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 1,109 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 1,089 |
| Married couples with children | 211 |
| Single-parent households | 59 |
| Average household size | 2.60 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 18.1% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 53 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 23 |
| Family households | 1,071 households (vs North Carolina 17,226) |
| Households that are families | 60.6% (vs North Carolina 58.5%) |
| Total households | 1,767 households (vs North Carolina 25,235) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 8.0% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 8,107 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 8.0% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 145,188 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 137,081 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 8,107 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 112 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 2.9% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 112 residents live in group quarters (2.6% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 112 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 7 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37085 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 085 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Harnett |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 20.4% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 18.40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 22.60 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 37085 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Harnett County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Micropolitan |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 3,561 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37085 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Harnett County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 59.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 45.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 29.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 135,976 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 5.20 |
| Family Score · Schools | 5 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 4 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 24.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 4,282, growing, family-oriented, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 4,282 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Town Summary · County | Harnett County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade