Benton County, Iowa
Benton County is located in eastern Iowa, where the Cedar River meanders through the county and provides opportunities for fishing and canoeing. The landscape is primarily made up of farmland and small towns, giving the area a peaceful rural character.
Vinton, the county seat of Benton County, is known for the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, an important part of Iowa’s educational history and services for people with visual impairments.
With a population of around 25,000, Benton County is connected by U.S. Highway 30 and U.S. Highway 218, providing key routes into and out of the area. The county also hosts the annual Benton County Fair, where locals come together each summer for community events, entertainment, and traditional fair activities.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Benton County |
| County Seat | Vinton |
| Etymology | Named after Thomas Hart Benton, a U.S. Senator from Missouri |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Vinton, Belle Plaine, Shellsburg, Atkins, Urbana, Norway, Van Horne, Keystone, Newhall, Garrison, Mount Auburn |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 30, U.S. Highway 218, Iowa Highway 8, Iowa Highway 21, Iowa Highway 150 |
| FIPS Code | 19-011 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 718 square miles (land: 716 sq mi, water: 2 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Black Hawk County (Northwest), Buchanan County (Northeast), Linn County (East), Iowa County (South), Tama County (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CST) |
| State | Iowa |
| Coordinates | 42.08°N, 92.06°W |
| Major Landmarks | Benton County Courthouse, Vinton Railroad Depot and Museum, Hannen Lake Park |
| Population | 25,000 |
