Editing Benton Township, Carver County, Minnesota

{{short description|Township in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name            = Benton
|settlement_type          = [[Township (United States)|Township]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

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|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
||pushpin_map            =Minnesota#USA
|pushpin_label_position =left <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_map_caption    =Location within the state of Minnesota
|pushpin_mapsize        =
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<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Minnesota]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Minnesota|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Carver County, Minnesota|Carver]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
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|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
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|established_title        = 
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<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref  =  Imperial
|area_footnotes           = 
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 90.3
|area_land_km2            = 88.0
|area_water_km2           = 2.3
|area_total_sq_mi         = 34.9
|area_land_sq_mi          = 34.0
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.9

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[United States Census, 2020|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 753
|population_density_km2   = 
|population_density_sq_mi =

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 296
|elevation_ft             = 971
|coordinates              = {{coord|44|46|2|N|93|48|53|W|region:US-MN|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = 
|postal_code              = 
|area_code                = 
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 27-05266<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0663571<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
|website                  = 
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Benton Township''' is a rural township in [[Carver County, Minnesota|Carver County]], [[Minnesota]], United States. The population was 753 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |title=U.S. Census website |access-date=2009-01-02 }}</ref>

==History==
Benton Township was organized in 1858, and named for [[Thomas Hart Benton (politician)|Thomas Hart Benton]], a [[List of United States Senators from Missouri|U.S. Senator]] from [[Missouri]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Upham|first=Warren|title=Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance|url=https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog|year=1920|publisher=Minnesota Historical Society|page=[https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog/page/n100 81]}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the township has a total area of {{convert|34.9|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|34.0|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.9|sqmi|km2}} (2.58%) is water.

The city of [[Cologne, Minnesota|Cologne]] is located entirely within the township geographically but is a separate entity.

'''Township 115 North, Range 25 West''', [[Fifth Principal Meridian]] of the [[Public Land Survey System]].

===Lakes===
* Bachman Lake
* Barlous Lake
* Hoefkin Lake (vast majority)
* Maria Lake (west three-quarters)
* Meuwissen Lake (west edge)
* Myers Lake
* Rice Lake (vast majority)
* Winkler Lake

===Adjacent townships===
* [[Waconia Township, Carver County, Minnesota|Waconia Township]] (north)
* [[Laketown Township, Carver County, Minnesota|Laketown Township]] (northeast)
* [[Dahlgren Township, Carver County, Minnesota|Dahlgren Township]] (east)
* [[San Francisco Township, Carver County, Minnesota|San Francisco Township]] (southeast)
* [[Hancock Township, Carver County, Minnesota|Hancock Township]] (south)
* [[Washington Lake Township, Sibley County, Minnesota|Washington Lake Township, Sibley County]] (southwest)
* [[Young America Township, Carver County, Minnesota|Young America Township]] (west)
* [[Camden Township, Carver County, Minnesota|Camden Township]] (northwest)

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Bongards, Minnesota|Bongards]]
* [[Gotha, Minnesota|Gotha]]

===Cemeteries===
The township contains five cemeteries: Cologne United Methodist, Saint Bernard, Saint John's United Church of Christ, Snapsburg and Zion Lutheran Church.

===Major highways===
* [[Image:US 212 (MN).svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 212 in Minnesota|U.S. Highway 212]]
* [[Image:MN-5.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 5]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 534
|1870= 1297
|1880= 1262
|1890= 1175
|1900= 1191
|1910= 1194
|1920= 1158
|1930= 1057
|1940= 1016
|1950= 1023
|1960= 940
|1970= 987
|1980= 939
|1990= 895
|2000= 939
|2010= 786
|2020= 753
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=May 19, 2019}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 939 people, 307 households, and 249 families residing in the township.  The population density was {{convert|27.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 311 housing units at an average density of 9.2/sq&nbsp;mi (3.5/km{{sup|2}}).  The racial makeup of the township was 99.47% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.11% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.32% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.11% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]]. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.53% of the population.

There were 307 households, out of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.6% were non-families. 15.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 3.06 and the average family size was 3.43.

In the township the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 115.4 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 116.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $62,574, and the median income for a family was $63,839. Males had a median income of $38,173 versus $28,917 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the township was $22,652.  About 1.2% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
{{Hidden begin|titlestyle=background:#ccccff|title=Presidential election results}}
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
|+ 2020 Precinct Results Spreadsheet<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2020/2020-general-election-results/2020-precinct-results-spreadsheet/|title=Minnesota Secretary of State - 2020 Precinct Results Spreadsheet }}</ref>
|+ '''2016 Precinct Results Spreadsheet'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2016/2016-general-election-results/2016-precinct-results-spreadsheet/|title=Minnesota Secretary of State - 2016 Precinct Results Spreadsheet }}</ref>
|+ '''2012 Precinct Results Spreadsheet'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2012/2012-general-election-results/2012-precinct-results-spreadsheet/|title=Minnesota Secretary of State - 2012 Precinct Results Spreadsheet }}</ref>
|+ '''2008 Precinct Results Spreadsheet'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2008/2008-general-election-results/2008-precinct-results-spreadsheet/|title=Minnesota Secretary of State - 2008 Precinct Results Spreadsheet }}</ref>
|+ '''2004 Precinct Results Spreadsheet'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2004/2004-general-election-results/2004-precinct-results-spreadsheet/|title=Minnesota Secretary of State - 2004 Precinct Results Spreadsheet }}</ref>
|+ '''2000 Precinct Results Spreadsheet'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2000/2000-general-election-results/2000-precinct-results-spreadsheet/|title=Minnesota Secretary of State - 2000 Precinct Results Spreadsheet }}</ref>
|+ '''1996 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1996-11-05-g-sec.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024257/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1996-11-05-g-sec.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|+ '''1992 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1992-11-03-g-sec.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024257/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1992-11-03-g-sec.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|+ '''1988 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1988-11-08-g-sec.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024254/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1988-11-08-g-sec.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|+ '''1984 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1984-11-06-g-sec.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024254/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1984-11-06-g-sec.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|+ '''1980 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1980-11-04-g-sec.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024250/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1980-11-04-g-sec.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|+ '''1976 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1976-11-02-g-sec.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024300/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1976-11-02-g-sec.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|+ '''1968 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1968-11-05-g-man.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024250/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1968-11-05-g-man.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|+ '''1964 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1964-11-03-g-man.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024420/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1964-11-03-g-man.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|+ '''1960 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1960-11-08-g-man.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024250/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1960-11-08-g-man.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Third Party (United States)|Third parties]]
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''71.7%''' ''367''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|27.0% ''138''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.3% ''7''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''70.4%''' ''335''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|23.5% ''112''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|6.1% ''29''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''70.7%''' ''353''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|27.3% ''136''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.0% ''10''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''68.4%''' ''338''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|29.2% ''144''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.4% ''12''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''69.3%''' ''355''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|30.1% ''154''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.6% ''3''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''64.5%''' ''316''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|27.1% ''133''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|8.4% ''41''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''47.3%''' ''228''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.2% ''184''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|14.5% ''70''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''41.9%''' ''198''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|24.6% ''116''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|33.5% ''158''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''66.7%''' ''295''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|33.3% ''147''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.0% ''0''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''76.6%''' ''361''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|23.4% ''110''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.0% ''0''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''67.5%''' ''318''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|24.6% ''116''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|7.9% ''37''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''56.5%''' ''269''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|41.8% ''199''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.7% ''8''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1968 United States presidential election|1968]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''71.1%''' ''323''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|24.0% ''109''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|4.9% ''22''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''62.1%''' ''279''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37.9% ''170''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.0% ''0''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''64.9%''' ''286''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|35.1% ''155''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.0% ''0''
|}
{{Hidden end}}

==References==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081205020547/http://www.nationalatlas.gov/ United States National Atlas]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070310144543/http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/irad/edgar.html United States Census Bureau 2007 TIGER/Line Shapefiles]
* [http://geonames.usgs.gov/domestic/ United States Board on Geographic Names (GNIS)]
<references />

{{CarverCounty}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Townships in Carver County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Townships in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1858]]
[[Category:1858 establishments in Minnesota]]