County profile · Iowa
Benton County, IA market data
How Benton County compares with other counties for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 26,004
- +1.8% since 2020
- Households
- 10,202
- Median household income
- $86,962
- +28.4% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $208,200
- Jobs located here
- 5,505
- Highest market score
- 84
- Restaurants and cafes, #66 of 2,405 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Benton County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Benton County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
Benton County has an estimated 26,004 people and 10,202 households. Between 2020 and 2025, the population of Benton County grew 1.8%, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in Benton County is $86,962, 8% above the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 28.4%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in Benton County runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 143, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (76).
Of the business types scored in Benton County, restaurants and cafes (84); salons, barbers and spas (83); and hair salons (82) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For restaurants and cafes, that ranks #66 of 2,405 scored counties.
Benton County is part of the Cedar Rapids metro area. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for pizza places (59% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for real estate businesses (69% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Benton County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Benton County with other counties for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among counties | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and cafes | 84 | #66 of 2,405 | 57 | 55.9 | $734K | 198 | 26 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 83 | #45 of 2,385 | 15 | 14.7 | $706K | 332 | 4 |
| Hair salons | 82 | #59 of 2,339 | 12 | 11.8 | $882K | 205 | 3 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 79 | #79 of 2,088 | 9 | 8.8 | $1.1M | 164 | Under 3 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 79 | #135 of 2,405 | 28 | 27.4 | $1.5M | 225 | 14 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 77 | #194 of 2,087 | 8 | 7.8 | $2.6M | 206 | 3 |
| Real estate | 76 | #87 of 2,229 | 12 | 11.8 | Index only | 285 | 4 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 76 | #216 of 2,210 | 13 | 12.7 | $1.6M | 183 | 3 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 75 | #80 of 2,176 | 8 | 7.8 | Index only | 339 | 4 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 74 | #178 of 1,656 | 6 | 5.9 | $2.5M | 141 | 8 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 71 | #320 of 2,394 | 48 | 47.0 | $313K | 205 | 22 |
| Pet businesses | 69 | #332 of 2,200 | 12 | 11.8 | $759K | 86 | 3 |
| Grocery stores | 67 | #489 of 2,070 | 7 | 6.9 | $9.1M | 98 | 3 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 66 | #396 of 2,063 | 6 | 5.9 | $7M | 188 | 7 |
| Home repair trades | 65 | #356 of 2,057 | 9 | 8.8 | $3.2M | 130 | 16 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 63 | #412 of 1,493 | 5 | 4.9 | $2.6M | 89 | 4 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 63 | #679 of 2,402 | 21 | 20.6 | $3M | 89 | 6 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 61 | #470 of 1,771 | 8 | 7.8 | $1.6M | 97 | 7 |
| Pizza | 61 | #630 of 2,090 | 13 | 12.7 | $3.2M | 63 | 5 |
| Gas stations | 60 | #746 of 2,358 | 14 | 13.7 | $2.5M | 105 | 17 |
| Auto repair and car care | 55 | #979 of 2,401 | 50 | 49.0 | $280K | 104 | 20 |
| Convenience stores | 54 | #994 of 2,261 | 12 | 11.8 | $5.3M | 67 | 3 |
| Auto repair shops | 52 | #1,114 of 2,378 | 32 | 31.4 | $437K | 98 | 15 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 48 | #713 of 1,327 | 7 | 6.9 | $2M | 65 | 3 |
| Child care and preschools | 48 | #871 of 1,611 | 5 | 4.9 | $901K | 90 | 7 |
| Insurance agencies | 46 | #1,240 of 2,272 | 12 | 11.8 | $1.8M | 141 | 15 |
| Funeral homes | 45 | #851 of 1,472 | 5 | 4.9 | $344K | 51 | 3 |
| Chiropractors | 43 | #934 of 1,490 | 8 | 7.8 | $1.9M | 79 | 6 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.9 | $10.5M | 253 | 7 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.9 | $3.8M | 382 | 5 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.9 | $10.5M | 343 | 5 |
| Gyms | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.9 | $2.4M | 188 | Under 3 |
| HVAC and plumbing | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.9 | $7.1M | 150 | 5 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.9 | $2.3M | 89 | Under 3 |
| Physical therapy | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.9 | $3.8M | 156 | 3 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.9 | Index only | 67 | Under 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.9 | $4.7M | 185 | Under 3 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.9 | $9.5M | 79 | 8 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.9 | $4.3M | 68 | 3 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.9 | $3.3M | 162 | Under 3 |
| Veterinarians | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.9 | $3M | 112 | 3 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.0 | $10.5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.0 | $14.3M | Too few | 3 |
| Spas and skin care | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.0 | $5.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.0 | $4.9M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Optometrists and eye care | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.0 | $15M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.0 | $9.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Tire shops | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.0 | $14M | Too few | 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.0 | $15M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Barbershops | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Nail salons | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in Benton County
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $14M | $1,372 | 143 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $35.2M | $3,448 | 133 |
| Food away from home | $41.9M | $4,103 | 101 |
| Groceries | $63.6M | $6,238 | 99 |
| Personal care products and services | $10.6M | $1,037 | 103 |
| Child care and other personal services | $4.5M | $442 | 76 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $9.8M | $960 | 98 |
| Medical and dental services | $15M | $1,473 | 114 |
| Pets | $9.1M | $893 | 98 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $20.9M | $2,049 | 100 |
| Vehicle insurance | $21.2M | $2,081 | 106 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $28.5M | $2,796 | 93 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $13M | $1,275 | 90 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $147.9M | $14,499 | 87 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in Benton County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 26,004+1.8% since 2020
- Households
- 10,202
- Median age
- 43.4
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 85%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.4
- Land area
- 716 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 36
- Median household income
- $86,962+28.4% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $101,158
- Median home value
- $208,200
- Jobs located here
- 5,505
- Daytime population
- 17,562Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Benton County?
These figures cover the whole county. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of Benton County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Nearest counties in Iowa 8
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- Iowa County, IA16,507 people
- Tama County, IA16,868 people
- Buchanan County, IA20,694 people
- Black Hawk County, IA131,049 people
- Johnson County, IA156,639 people
- Poweshiek County, IA18,545 people
- Jones County, IA20,896 people
Questions
How fast is Benton County, IA growing?
Population estimates put Benton County at 26,004 people in 2025, up 1.8% since 2020, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 10,202 households. Median household income rose 28.4% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in Benton County, IA spend?
Households in Benton County spend about $147.9M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $63.6M on groceries and $41.9M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in Benton County spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 143, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (76).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Benton County, IA?
The highest Groundwork market scores in Benton County are for restaurants and cafes (84); salons, barbers and spas (83); and hair salons (82). Benton County ranks #66 of 2,405 scored counties for restaurants and cafes.
How does Benton County, IA compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in Benton County is $86,962 a year, 8% above the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 1.8% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $208,200, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, Benton County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for pizza places (59% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for real estate businesses (69% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 28 of the 56 business types have a score in Benton County, each ranked against other counties.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in Benton County. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in Benton County?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of Benton County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.