Tennessee

Benton

15,864
2020 population
1840
first census record
19
census records

About Benton

Benton, Tennessee, first appears in the United States federal census in 1840, when it recorded a population of 4,772. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 15,864.

Its recorded population peaked at 16,537 in 2000, and has since declined by roughly 4 percent.

On the ground today, 4 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Fort Henry, Skirmish at Camden, Tennessee, Battle of Johnsonville (Hood approach), and 3 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202015,864
201016,489
200016,537
199014,524
198014,901
197012,126
196010,662
195011,495
194011,976
193011,237
192012,046
191012,452
190011,888
189011,230
18809,780
18708,234
18608,463
18506,315
18404,772
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Benton

Military engagements that took place in Benton, Tennessee.

Battle of Fort Henry
1862
Skirmish at Camden, Tennessee
1862
Battle of Johnsonville (Hood approach)
1864
Battle of Johnsonville (Tennessee)
1864

Historic places in Benton

National Register of Historic Places listings in Benton, Tennessee.

Thompson, William, House (Additional Documentation)
Camden
Reynoldsburg-Paris Road
Camden
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Other counties in Tennessee

Explore census history and historic records for more Tennessee counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Benton County, Tennessee

This page charts the census history of Benton County, Tennessee. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Benton

When does Benton first appear in the US census?
Benton, Tennessee first appears in the federal census in 1840, with a recorded population of 4,772.
What is the population of Benton?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Benton had a recorded population of 15,864.
When did Benton's population peak?
Benton's recorded population peaked at 16,537 in 2000.
Were any battles fought in Benton?
4 documented military engagements took place in Benton, including Battle of Fort Henry, Skirmish at Camden, Tennessee, Battle of Johnsonville (Hood approach).
How many historic places are in Benton?
3 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Benton, Tennessee.
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