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Benton County

TN · Pop. 15,948 · Suburban County

100/100Homestead Score

Benton County is a suburban county in Tennessee, spanning 394 square miles with 15,948 residents at a density of 40.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on soybeans, hay, corn. A median home price of $123,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.58% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 207-day growing season, average summer highs of 88°F and average winter lows of 29.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 53.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. West Tennessee Healthcare Camden Hospital is 2.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.58%
Growing Season: 207 days
Broadband: 94.4%
Density: 40.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 207-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.58% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $123,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • West Tennessee Healthcare Camden Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

Cons

  • A poverty rate of 18.5% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

Benton County, TN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
100/100
Median home price
$123k
Property tax
0.58%
Growing season
207 days (zone 7b)
Annual rainfall
53.6"
Broadband
94.4%
Nearest hospital
West Tennessee Healthcare Camden Hospital, 2.3 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.58%
Median Household Income$50,435
Poverty Rate18.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$123K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7b
Growing Season207 days
Annual Rainfall53.6 inches
Avg Summer High88°F
Avg Winter Low29.2°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Hay, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought4/10
Wildfire2/10
Tornado6/10
Flood3/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalWest Tennessee Healthcare Camden Hospital (2.3 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage94.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.6%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Benton County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Benton County?
Benton County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 207-day growing season, average summer highs of 88°F, and average winter lows of 29.2°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $123,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.58%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
West Tennessee Healthcare Camden Hospital is 2.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Benton County by distance, including across state lines.

Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.