Benton County

As of the 2020 census, Benton County, WA, has a population of approximately 206,873. The racial makeup is predominantly White (78.5%), followed by Hispanic or Latino of any race (18.3%), Asian (3.2%), Black or African American (1.3%), Native American (1.1%), and other races or multiracial (3.6%). The median household income is around $77,580, and the county's educational attainment includes 93.7% of people 25 years and older having a high school diploma or higher, and 33.6% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The county covers an area of 1,760 square miles.

As of 2023, Benton County, WA, has a median home price of approximately $410,000. The median rent is around $1,500 per month. The county has a homeownership rate of about 70.5%. The area has seen a yearly appreciation rate of 7.2% for home values. The vacancy rate stands at 5.6%, with a diverse housing stock, including single-family homes, apartments, and townhouses.

As of the latest election cycle in Benton County, WA, here are key details:

• Voter Registration: Approximately 128,000 registered voters.
• Major Positions Contested:
  • Benton County Commissioners
  • County Sheriff
  • Assessor
  • Auditor
  • Clerk
  • Coroner

Recent Candidates:

• County Commissioner:
  • District 1: Jerome Delvin (Incumbent, Republican)
  • District 3: Will McKay (Republican) vs. Lisa Thomas (Democrat)
• Sheriff:
  • Jerry Hatcher (Incumbent, Republican) vs. Tom Croskrey (Republican)
• Assessor:
  • Bill Spencer (Republican, Incumbent) vs. Alfredo Enriquez (Republican)

Voter Turnout: General elections tend to see around 70-75% voter turnout.

Note: Candidate lists and voter numbers can change with each election cycle. For the most up-to-date information, consult the Benton County Auditor's Office or the official county website.

As of recent data, Benton County, WA, exhibits the following educational attainment levels:

• High school diploma or higher: 91.7%
• Bachelor's degree or higher: 29.3%

Comparatively, the national averages are:

• High school diploma or higher: 88.6%
• Bachelor's degree or higher: 32.1%

For Washington State, the averages are:

• High school diploma or higher: 91.2%
• Bachelor's degree or higher: 36.7%

Benton County surpasses the national high school completion rate but falls short of both the state and national averages for bachelor's degree attainment. This indicates a relatively well-educated population slightly lagging in higher education completions compared to state and national levels.

As of the latest data, Benton County, WA reports an employment figure of approximately 100,000 people. The top industries in Benton County include healthcare, retail trade, manufacturing, and professional, scientific, and technical services. The healthcare sector employs around 15% of the workforce, while retail trade accounts for 12%, and manufacturing represents 10%.

When comparing to national averages, healthcare nationally employs about 14% of the workforce, retail trade 12%, and manufacturing around 9%. For Washington State, healthcare employs 13%, retail trade 11%, and manufacturing 11%. Benton County shows a higher employment rate in healthcare and manufacturing compared to the national average, aligning closely with state trends.

These numbers underline Benton County's strong industrial sectors and align closely with both state and national employment distributions, while slightly leaning towards healthcare and manufacturing.

As of the latest available data, the average income in Benton County, WA is approximately $60,000 per year. This figure can be contrasted with the state of Washington's average, which is around $73,775, and the national average income of $68,703.

Statistics Table

Benton County's average income is below both the state and national averages. The lower average could be influenced by the local economy, cost of living, and employment opportunities within the county.

As of recent reports, Benton County, WA, has a crime rate of approximately 2,500 crimes per 100,000 residents. This data encompasses various types of offenses, including violent and property crimes. Below is a statistics table highlighting different types of crimes:

These numbers reflect the most current figures available but can fluctuate over time. Efforts are ongoing to improve public safety and reduce crime rates in the county.