1st Advantage MortgageBenton County households have a median income of $86,962 and median rent of $826 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Benton County
- Jobs and commutes in Benton County
- Income in Benton County compared with Iowa
- Rent, home values and ownership in Benton County
- Benton County towns compared
- How Benton County compares with nearby counties
- What a median Benton County budget can carry
- Benton County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Benton County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for Benton County
- Steps before you apply in Benton County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Benton County
With an estimated 25,724 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Benton County ranks 25th of 99 in Iowa for population. Spread over 716 square miles, that works out to roughly 35.9 residents per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Cedar Rapids, IA metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 14 places in the county (13 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Vinton, with about 4,948 residents, or 19% of the county.
Jobs and commutes in Benton County
The biggest employer of Benton County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by manufacturing (19%). Compared with Iowa, the county leans toward manufacturing (19% against 15%). Averaged over the five survey years, 2.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 78% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 3.3% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Benton County workers | vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.5% | +1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.8% | +4.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.2% | -1.3 pts |
| Construction | 8.4% | +1.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.0% | -1.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.9% | -1.8 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Income in Benton County compared with Iowa
At $86,962, the typical Benton County household income is 32% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 6th among Iowa's 99 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Benton County | +/- vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.8% | -3.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.5% | -3.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 33.8% | +6.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.9% | +0.4 pts |
About 18% of households earn under $35,000, while 43% clear $100,000. Census counts 7.4% of Benton County residents in poverty, against 11.1% across Iowa. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Benton County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in Benton County
Renters in Benton County pay a median of $826 a month, 15% below the Iowa figure of $972. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 35% of renter households here. With a median value of $208,200, a typical Benton County house costs 2.4 times what the median household earns in a year. 85% of Benton County households own their home and 15% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1964.
| Measure | Benton County | Iowa | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $826/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $208,200 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 85% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 15% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.9% | 3.2% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Benton County towns compared
The table lists the 14 largest of 14 Census places in Benton County, by population. Together all 14 hold about 16,321 people, so roughly 37% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $115,655 at the median in Urbana, $66,495 in Vinton. None of the 14 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinton | city | 4,948 | $66,495 | $942 | 5 mi |
| Belle Plaine | city | 2,380 | $73,656 | $890 | 18 mi |
| Atkins | city | 2,225 | $112,138 | $604 | 12 mi |
| Urbana | city | 1,639 | $115,655 | $860 | 13 mi |
| Newhall | city | 996 | $67,443 | $642 | 8 mi |
| Shellsburg | city | 868 | $70,179 | $967 | 10 mi |
| Keystone | city | 674 | $67,500 | $892 | 10 mi |
| Blairstown | city | 654 | $79,375 | $831 | 13 mi |
| Van Horne | city | 612 | $77,344 | $725 | 6 mi |
| Norway | city | 546 | $76,667 | $1,073 | 15 mi |
| Garrison | city | 286 | $60,313 | $775 | 6 mi |
| Watkins | CDP | 201 | $96,296 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Mount Auburn | city | 172 | $79,000 | $967 | 12 mi |
| Luzerne | city | 120 | $100,357 | n/a | 14 mi |
How Benton County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Benton County's, from 24 to 37 miles away. Income ranges from $66,417 in Black Hawk County to $78,236 in Buchanan County; none of these neighbors top Benton County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton County | - | $86,962 | $826/mo | 85% |
| Linn County, IA | 24 mi | $77,649 | $945/mo | 74% |
| Tama County, IA | 24 mi | $70,781 | $872/mo | 76% |
| Iowa County, IA | 28 mi | $71,223 | $686/mo | 77% |
| Buchanan County, IA | 28 mi | $78,236 | $848/mo | 82% |
| Black Hawk County, IA | 29 mi | $66,417 | $989/mo | 66% |
| Poweshiek County, IA | 37 mi | $67,391 | $883/mo | 71% |
What a median Benton County budget can carry
Here is the Benton County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $7,247 a month: gross income for a household at the Benton County median
- Housing at the median rent of $826 uses 11%
- Under a 43% cap, $3,116 total minus rent leaves $2,290
Two-income households and single earners in Benton County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Benton County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 26% of the adult population. 3.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Benton County | Iowa | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.1 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.6% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.8% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.0% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.3% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.5% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.4% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.0% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Benton County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.4% |
| 60+ min | 4.7% |
What the numbers mean for Benton County borrowers
What the Benton County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Strong incomes, long terms. 43% of Benton County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Consolidating cards in Benton County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Licensing and complaints for Benton County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Benton County, check the Iowa Division of Banking. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Iowa guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Benton County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Benton County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Iowa guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Benton County?
$86,962 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $75,059 for Iowa. It ranks 6th of 99 in the state.
How much is rent in Benton County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $826 a month; 35% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Vinton?
Yes, along with the other 13 Census places in Benton County, such as Belle Plaine, Atkins, Urbana.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Benton County or elsewhere in Iowa, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Benton County residents?
The Iowa Division of Banking licenses consumer lenders in Iowa; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.