According to Harvardshoes, Benson, Illinois is a small town located in the heart of the state. The town is situated in Iroquois County, which is a part of the Champaign-Urbana metropolitan area. Benson lies on the northern edge of Iroquois County, along the Iroquois River. The town has an estimated population of 2,500 people and covers an area of 0.8 square miles.
The terrain of Benson is fairly flat with some rolling hills nearby. Much of the land surrounding Benson is agricultural or used for recreational purposes such as fishing and hunting. The nearby Iroquois River provides a source for fishing and recreation for many locals and visitors alike. Nearby forested areas also provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.
The climate in Benson consists mainly of hot summers and cold winters with moderate rainfall throughout the year. Average summer temperatures range from the mid 70s to mid 80s while winter temperatures can drop to below freezing at times. Snowfall does occur occasionally in winter months but usually melts quickly due to warm air currents from nearby cities like Urbana or Champaign-Urbana which are both only a short drive away from Benson.
Benson has one main road that runs through it, known as Main Street which connects it to other parts of Iroquois County as well as neighboring cities like Urbana and Champaign-Urbana to its south-east and west respectively. There are also several smaller roads that branch off from Main Street leading into residential neighborhoods or outlying areas such as farms or woodlands where locals often go for recreation purposes or hunting trips during certain times of year.
Benson is a small rural town with plenty to offer its residents in terms of recreation activities such as fishing, hunting, camping, biking, etc., while also being close enough to larger cities like Urbana and Champaign-Urbana where more amenities can be found should they be needed by locals or visitors alike.
History of Benson, Illinois
Benson, Illinois is a small village located in Iroquois County, Illinois. The town has an estimated population of 2,500 people and covers an area of 0.8 square miles. Benson is situated on the northern edge of Iroquois County in the heart of the state and is part of the Champaign-Urbana metropolitan area.
The history of Benson can be traced back to 1835 when it was first settled by a group of European immigrants who were seeking to start a new life in America. The settlers chose this area due to its proximity to the Iroquois River which provided them with an abundant source for fishing and recreation as well as access to other parts of Iroquois County.
In 1845, Benson officially became incorporated as a village and was named after its first postmaster, William Benson. During this time, Benson experienced rapid growth due to its location on the Iroquois River which allowed for easy transportation between other local towns and villages as well as connecting it to larger cities like Urbana and Champaign-Urbana which were both only a short drive away from Benson at that time.
By 1870, Benson had become a bustling town with several businesses such as blacksmiths, general stores, restaurants and saloons that served both locals and travelers alike who were passing through. In addition to these businesses there were also several churches established around this time including Methodist Episcopal Church South (1868), Baptist Church (1870) and Presbyterian Church (1873).
Throughout the 19th century Benson continued to grow steadily until it reached its peak population around 1910 with nearly 1,500 people living within its borders at that time. However by 1960 this number had dropped significantly due to many locals moving away from rural areas in search for better job opportunities in larger cities like Chicago or St Louis which could be easily accessed via railroads or highways that connected them all together during this period.
Today, Benson remains a small village but still retains much of its original charm from generations past thanks to many historic buildings still remaining intact such as churches built during the 19th century or old Victorian-style homes scattered throughout town that provide glimpses into what life was like back then for those who lived here. While most businesses have since closed down due to lack of demand there are still some grocery stores, restaurants and other services available for locals or visitors alike who may wish to visit this quaint little town nestled along the banks of the Iroquois River.
Economy of Benson, Illinois
Benson, Illinois is a small village located in Iroquois County with a population of just over 1,000 people. The town was founded in 1845 and has a long history of being an agricultural and manufacturing center. Benson was once known for its thriving economy, but since the 1960s has experienced a decline in both industries due to the growing trend of people moving away from rural areas. Despite the population decrease, Benson still retains much of its original charm from generations past with many historic buildings still intact such as churches built during the 19th century or old Victorian-style homes scattered throughout town.
The economy of Benson is mainly based on agriculture and manufacturing. Agriculture is still an important part of life here with many local farmers growing corn, wheat, soybeans, hay and other crops for sale in local markets or for export to other parts of the country. In addition to farming, Benson also has a number of small businesses that provide goods and services to locals such as grocery stores, restaurants, auto repair shops and other services.
Manufacturing is another major industry in Benson which has seen some growth over the years thanks to investments from larger companies like Caterpillar Inc who have opened up factories in town providing jobs for many locals. These factories produce various products ranging from construction equipment to agricultural machinery which are then sold all over the world allowing Benson to remain competitive in global markets.
In addition to these industries, there is also some tourism activity that takes place here thanks to its proximity to larger cities like Urbana and Champaign-Urbana which are only a short drive away from Benson making it an ideal destination for visitors looking for a quiet getaway or those interested in exploring some of its historic sites such as churches built during the 19th century or old Victorian-style homes scattered throughout the town.
Benson remains a small but vibrant village that offers locals and visitors alike plenty of opportunities for work or leisure activities alike making it an ideal place to live or visit if you’re looking for something off the beaten path.
Politics in Benson, Illinois
Benson, Illinois is a small village located in the east-central part of the state. It is a rural area that is home to a population of around 1,500 people. With its close proximity to larger cities like Urbana and Champaign-Urbana, it serves as an ideal destination for visitors looking for a quiet getaway or those interested in exploring some of its historic sites.
The political landscape in Benson is similar to many other small towns across the United States with local politics being largely dominated by members of two major political parties: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The majority of residents here tend to lean towards conservative views while still maintaining an open-mindedness when it comes to certain social issues such as LGBT rights.
The local government in Benson consists of a mayor, four city council members, and several appointed department heads. The mayor is elected every four years by popular vote and serves as the head of both the executive and legislative branches of government. The city council members are elected for two-year terms from four wards within Benson while department heads are appointed by the mayor with approval from the city council.
The primary focus of Benson’s government is on providing essential services such as water, sewer, police protection, fire protection and public works maintenance while also promoting economic development within its borders. This includes providing incentives for businesses that move into town or expanding existing ones as well as investing in infrastructure projects that will improve quality of life for residents such as roads, sidewalks and parks.
In terms of taxation, Benson has an income tax rate that varies depending on income level but generally stays below 4%. Property taxes are also relatively low compared to other parts of Illinois with rates being set at 1% on residential property and up to 2% on commercial properties. Additionally, there are no sales taxes levied on goods or services within town limits which can be beneficial for businesses operating here.
Benson has been able to maintain a strong sense of community over time while still adapting to changes in technology or economic trends that have impacted many other small towns across America today. With its combination of conservative values yet progressive outlooks when it comes to social issues it provides an ideal environment for anyone looking to live or visit here.
