Benton County Public RecordsIndiana

Benton County, IN, has 3 public high schools and no four-year colleges locally; about 17% of adults hold bachelor’s degrees. School ratings average 6/10 on GreatSchools. The overall high school graduation rate is 90%. Adult education opportunities are limited, mainly available through regional community colleges. School safety is considered above average, with very low incident reports. Educational programs include dual credit, STEM, and career-technical education.

As of 2023, Benton County, IN, has an employment rate of approximately 62%. Major industries include agriculture (23%), manufacturing (17%), and healthcare/social assistance (13%). The leading occupation types are production (18%), management (15%), and sales/office roles (13%). About 75% of workers commute outside the county for work, with Lafayette and Tippecanoe County being primary employment destinations. The average commute time is 27 minutes.

Benton County, IN, has a homeownership rate of approximately 78%, with median home values around $124,000 as of 2023. The median gross rent is about $740 monthly. Recent property values have shown modest growth, reflecting the area’s affordability. Most housing consists of single-family homes, with some apartments in Fowler and Oxford neighborhoods. Taxes are relatively low; the average property tax rate is about 0.75% of home value. Rural and small-town settings dominate, offering quiet neighborhoods and stable markets.

As of the 2020 Census, Benton County, Indiana, had a population of 8,719. The median age was about 42 years. The gender distribution was roughly 50.4% male and 49.6% female. Racially, the county was predominantly White (93.3%), with smaller populations of Hispanic or Latino (3.8%), two or more races (2.1%), African American (0.6%), and Asian (0.2%). This reflects a largely rural, aging, and homogenous demographic profile.

Benton County, IN, had 5,403 registered voters as of 2022. Voters participate in local, state, and federal elections, typically held at around 8 polling locations, including schools and community centers in Fowler, Oxford, and Boswell. In the 2020 presidential election, 74% voted Republican, 24% Democrat. Key issues include agriculture, wind energy, and rural healthcare. The Benton County Clerk administers elections with support from bipartisan poll workers. The county leans heavily Republican, with Democratic voters comprising less than 25% of registrations as of recent years. Registration can be completed online, by mail, or at government offices.

Benton County, IN, maintains a low crime rate compared to state and national averages. In 2023, the county reported approximately 8.2 crimes per 1,000 residents, with violent crimes accounting for less than 1 per 1,000. Property crimes, such as burglary and theft, are the most common, totaling about 65 incidents annually. Law enforcement agencies encourage community reporting and have increased patrols, contributing to a 5% decrease in reported offenses over the past year. Benton County remains one of Indiana’s safer counties, emphasizing proactive safety measures and strong police-community collaboration.