Editing Benton, Illinois (section)

==Geography==

=== Land and water area ===
According to the 2010 census, Benton has a total area of {{convert|5.66|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|5.48|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 96.81%) is land and {{convert|0.18|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 3.18%) is water.<ref name="census-g001">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1705300
  |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1
  |access-date=2015-12-25
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213083059/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1705300
  |archive-date=2020-02-13
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

===Benton Public Library===
{{Main|Benton Public Library}}
Benton Public Library serves all residents of Benton High School District. 
[http://www.benton.lib.il.us www.benton.lib.il.us]

The library has a program in which people can pay for brick to be engraved and used on its property, and the funds made go to the library.<ref>{{Cite web|title=DONATE TO THE LIBRARY {{!}} Benton Public Library|url=https://www.bentonlibrary.com/donate-to-the-library/|access-date=2020-07-18|language=en-US}}</ref>

The library contains about 48,000 materials, including Books, Audio books, Magazines, Large Print Materials, and Music CDs. Access to computers is also available at the library.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ABOUT US {{!}} Benton Public Library|url=https://www.bentonlibrary.com/about-us/|access-date=2020-07-18|language=en-US}}</ref> It opened a reading garden behind the building which contains painted chairs made by the local high school and other donated play equipment, including a large handmade wooden ship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=READING GARDEN {{!}} Benton Public Library |url=https://www.bentonlibrary.com/welcome-to-the-reading-garden/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=www.bentonlibrary.com}}</ref>

===Benton Public Park===
The Benton Public Park has a few playgrounds, and picnic areas, as well as tennis courts, basketball courts, and ball fields. The Public Park also has a paved walking path that loops around the ball fields. The park is located near a railroad, and a red caboose sits at the entrance of the park.<ref>{{Cite web|last=IL 62812|first=600 South DuQuoin St Benton|title=Benton Community Park|url=https://www.enjoyillinois.com/explore/listing/benton-community-park|access-date=2020-07-18|website=Enjoy Illinois|language=en-US}}</ref>