Benton County, Arkansas
Benton County is a county within the Northwest Arkansas region with a culture, economy, and history that have transitioned from rural and agricultural to suburban and white collar since the growth of Walmart, which is headquartered in Benton County. Created as Arkansas's 35th county on September 30, 1836, Benton County contains thirteen incorporated municipalities, including Bentonville, the county seat, and Rogers, the most populous city. The county was named after Thomas Hart Benton, a U.S. Senator from Missouri influential in Arkansas statehood.
Benton County | |
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Clockwise from top: Benton County Courthouse in Bentonville, Beaver Lake, downtown Rogers, Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista, and downtown Bentonville | |
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Flag Seal | |
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas | |
Arkansas's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 36°21′08″N 94°14′03″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| Founded | September 30, 1836 |
| Named for | Thomas Hart Benton |
| Seat | Bentonville |
| Largest city | Rogers |
| Area | |
| • Total | 884 sq mi (2,290 km2) |
| • Land | 847 sq mi (2,190 km2) |
| • Water | 37 sq mi (100 km2) 4.1% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 284,333 |
| • Estimate (2022) | 302,863 |
| • Density | 320/sq mi (120/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | www |
The county is located within the gently rolling terrain of the Springfield Plateau, a subset of the Ozark Mountains. Much of eastern Benton County is located along Beaver Lake, a reservoir of the White River. The county contains three protected areas: Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge, Pea Ridge National Military Park, and Devil's Eyebrow Natural Area, as well as parts of the Ozark National Forest, Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area, and two state wildlife management areas. Other historical features such as log cabins, one-room school houses, community centers, and museums describe the history and culture of Benton County.
Benton County occupies 884.86 square miles (229,180 ha) and contained a population of 284,333 people in 100,749 households as of the 2020 Census, ranking it tenth in size and second in population among the state's 75 counties. The economy is heavily influenced by the presence of Walmart and the hundreds of associated businesses, with agriculture, tourism, and construction also important sectors. Benton County has the highest median household income in the state, slightly above the national median.