According to educationvv.com, Benton County, Indiana is a small county located in the northwest corner of the state. It is bordered by Warren County to the north, White County to the east, Tippecanoe County to the south, and Jasper and Newton Counties to the west. The county seat is Fowler and it has a population of 8,566 according to the 2020 census.
Benton County was established in 1843 from parts of Warren and White Counties. It was named for Thomas Hart Benton, an American statesman who served as a United States Senator from Missouri from 1821-51.
The county covers an area of approximately 441 square miles with a population density of 19 people per square mile. The majority of residents (93%) live in rural areas while 7% live in urban areas. The median household income for Benton County residents is $45,600 with 13% living below the poverty line.
Agriculture is a major industry in Benton County with corn and soybeans being two of its primary crops. Other industries include manufacturing, retail trade, healthcare, and social assistance services.
The largest city in Benton County is Fowler with a population of 1,923 as of 2020 according to census estimates. Other towns include Earl Park (population: 511), Oxford (population: 312), Otterbein (population: 260), Ambia (population: 246), Boswell (population: 188) Talbot (population: 149), Yeoman (population: 129).
The county has four public schools including one high school located in Fowler which serves all students grades 9-12; two middle schools which serve students grades 6-8; and one elementary school which serves students grades K-5th grade as well as special education services for all grade levels. Private schools include St Joseph Catholic School which serves students preK-8th grade and Oxford Christian Academy which serves students K-12th grade both located within Fowler city limits.
Benton County also offers several recreational activities including camping at Oxbow Park located near Otterbein; boating at Pine Lake near Earl Park; hiking on trails at Brookston Nature Preserve near Ambia; hunting at nearby Fish & Wildlife Areas; fishing at Lake Freeman or Shafer Lake near Monticello; or golfing at one of three local golf courses located throughout the county.
In addition to recreational activities, Benton County also offers numerous historical sites including historic courthouses in Fowler and Oxford as well as museums such as The Pinckneyville Museum & Historical Society located near Pinckneyville or The Monticello Railway Museum near Monticello – both offering visitors an insight into local history through artifacts and exhibits about regional railroads and other industries that have shaped Benton County overtime.
History of Benton County, Indiana
Benton County, Indiana has a long and fascinating history that dates back to 1835 when it was formed from parts of Tippecanoe and White counties. The county is named after Thomas Hart Benton, a United States Senator from Missouri who actively supported the expansion of the nation’s western boundaries. The county seat is located in Fowler, which was established in 1845 and named after early settlers John and Mary Fowler.
At the time of its formation, Benton County was mostly an agricultural area with corn and soybeans being two of its primary crops. Over time, other industries such as manufacturing, retail trade, healthcare, and social assistance services began to take root in the area. In addition to agriculture, Benton County also played an important role in the development of railroads in Indiana as it is home to several historic railroad lines including the Monon Railroad which ran through Monticello from 1906-1924 and connected Chicago with Indianapolis.
The population of Benton County grew steadily throughout much of the 19th century but experienced a decline during World War II when many people moved away for work opportunities elsewhere. However, since then the population has been on an upward trend with census estimates showing 1,923 people living in Fowler (the largest city) as of 2020.
Today, Benton County offers residents numerous recreational activities including camping at Oxbow Park near Otterbein; boating at Pine Lake near Earl Park; hiking on trails at Brookston Nature Preserve near Ambia; hunting at nearby Fish & Wildlife Areas; fishing at Lake Freeman or Shafer Lake near Monticello; or golfing at one of three local golf courses located throughout the county. There are also several historical sites worth visiting such as historic courthouses in Fowler and Oxford as well as museums such as The Pinckneyville Museum & Historical Society located near Pinckneyville or The Monticello Railway Museum near Monticello – both offering visitors an insight into local history through artifacts and exhibits about regional railroads and other industries that have shaped Benton County overtime.
Benton County continues to be a vibrant community that offers residents access to many different types of activities while also maintaining a strong sense of history – making it an ideal place for those looking for small town living with big city amenities.
Major cities and towns in Benton County, Indiana
Benton County, Indiana is home to several major cities and towns, each offering its own unique blend of attractions, activities, and amenities.
The largest city in Benton County is Fowler with a population of 1,923 as of 2020. Located at the junction of two historic railroads – the Monon Railroad which ran through from 1906-1924 and connected Chicago with Indianapolis – Fowler offers visitors access to a variety of historical sites including the historic courthouses in Fowler and Oxford. In addition to its historical sites, visitors can also enjoy recreational activities like golfing at one of three local golf courses located throughout the county or fishing at nearby Lake Freeman or Shafer Lake near Monticello.
Another major city in Benton County is Monticello which has a population of 1,869. Monticello is home to The Monticello Railway Museum which offers visitors an insight into local history through artifacts and exhibits about regional railroads and other industries that have shaped Benton County overtime. Additionally, visitors can enjoy camping at Oxbow Park near Otterbein; boating at Pine Lake near Earl Park; hiking on trails at Brookston Nature Preserve near Ambia; hunting at nearby Fish & Wildlife Areas; or fishing at nearby Shafer Lake.
The town of Boswell is also located in Benton County with a population of 837 as of 2020. Boswell offers residents access to numerous recreational activities such as camping or hiking along the Tippecanoe River State Park Trail System or visiting one of several nearby lakes including Lake Shafer and Pine Lake for boating or fishing opportunities. Additionally, Boswell has a variety of restaurants offering delicious cuisine ranging from Italian to Mexican dishes making it a great spot for locals looking for a night out with friends or family members.
Finally, there’s Oxford which has a population of 599 as of 2020 and offers visitors access to various recreational activities such as golfing at one of two local golf courses located throughout the county or visiting the historic courthouse located in Oxford for an insight into local history through artifacts and exhibits about regional railroads and other industries that have shaped Benton County overtime. Additionally, residents can enjoy camping along the Tippecanoe River State Park Trail System or visit one nearby lake including Lake Freeman for fishing opportunities.
In conclusion, Benton County offers residents numerous recreational activities while also maintaining a strong sense of history – making it an ideal place for those looking for small town living with big city amenities.
Airports in Benton County, Indiana
According to countryaah, Benton County, Indiana is home to two airports: the Grissom Air Reserve Base and the Purdue University Airport. The Grissom Air Reserve Base is located in Miami County, Indiana and serves as a joint military base for both active duty and reserve components of the United States Air Force. It is also home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing which provides air refueling and cargo transportation services to military and civilian aircraft worldwide. Additionally, Grissom Air Reserve Base offers numerous recreational activities such as camping, fishing, hunting, and boating.
The Purdue University Airport is located in Tippecanoe County near West Lafayette and serves as a regional general aviation airport for both private pilots and corporate aircraft. It offers a variety of services including flight training, aircraft maintenance, charter flights, aircraft rental, aerobatics instruction, parachute jumps, skydiving instruction and more. Additionally, it has an on-site restaurant which serves breakfast and lunch daily.
The airports in Benton County are conveniently located close to major highways which makes them easily accessible from any part of the county or surrounding areas. They are also well-equipped with modern amenities such as terminal buildings with comfortable seating areas; complimentary Wi-Fi; flight planning rooms; vending machines; gift shops; restaurants; pilot lounges with restrooms; fuel services; hangars for rent or purchase; tie down spaces for transient aircrafts; static displays of historic aircrafts; courtesy cars available for rent or loaners during extended stays at the airport.
Benton County’s airports provide travelers with access to convenient services while allowing them to enjoy their time in the area without having to worry about getting stuck in traffic or long lines at an airport far away from their destination. Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or need to get somewhere fast – Benton County has you covered.