Benson, Pennsylvania

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Population in 2022: 183 (0% urban, 100% rural).
Population change since 2000: -5.7%
 
Males: 117  (64.0%)
Females: 66  (36.0%)
Median resident age:

53.9 years
Pennsylvania median age:

40.9 years

Zip code: 15935

Estimated median household income in 2022: $43,808 (it was $35,000 in 2000)
Benson:

$43,808
PA:

$71,798

Estimated per capita income in 2022: $26,723 (it was $14,232 in 2000)

Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $75,759 (it was $53,000 in 2000)
Benson:

$75,759
PA:

$245,500

Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: $104,563; detached houses: $102,476
March 2022 cost of living index in Benson: 88.6 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2022: 5.0%

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  • Races in Benson, PA (2022)
    • 12993.5%White alone
    • 85.8%Two or more races
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Benson, PA forum
Recent posts about Benson, Pennsylvania on our local forum with over 2,400,000 registered users. Benson is mentioned 67 times on our forum:
5 People Shot Within 24 Hours In Allegheny County  (3431 replies)
Pittsburgh's illustrious musical history  (57 replies)
Winter Storms, Pittsburgh & Weather Forecasts  (39 replies)
Erie development thread (downtown, bayfront, etc.)  (557 replies)
Best Musical Artist/Group Ever from Pittsburgh  (26 replies)
Pittsburgh Foodies Thread  (2091 replies)

Latest news from Benson, PA collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: German (34.7%), Polish (19.4%), Scotch-Irish (13.9%), Dutch (11.1%), English (6.9%), Scottish (6.9%).

Current Local Time: EST time zone

Incorporated on 11/15/1892

Elevation: 1540 feet

Land area: 0.31 square miles.

Population density: 588 people per square mile   (low).

Benson, Pennsylvania map

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2022: $1,048 (0.8%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2022: $633 (1.1%)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Pittsburgh, PA (57.7 miles , pop. 334,563).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Philadelphia, PA (200.6 miles , pop. 1,517,550).

Nearest cities:

Davidsville, PA (1.3 miles ),
Jerome, PA (1.8 miles ),
Hooversville borough, PA (2.0 miles ),
Paint borough, PA (2.2 miles ),
Windber borough, PA (2.3 miles ),
Scalp Level borough, PA (2.4 miles ),
Ferndale borough, PA (2.4 miles ),
Belmont, PA (2.4 miles )

Latitude: 40.21 N, Longitude: 78.93 W

Area code commonly used in this area: 814

Distribution of median household income in Benson, PA in 2022
Distribution of house value in Benson, PA in 2022

Benson satellite photo by USGS

Unemployment in December 2023:
Here:

3.8%
Pennsylvania:

2.9%
Most common industries in Benson, PA (%)
Both Males Females
Most common industries in 2000
  • Health care (16.3%)
  • Public administration (9.3%)
  • Construction (8.1%)
  • Metal & metal products (7.0%)
  • Accommodation & food services (7.0%)
  • Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, similar organizations (7.0%)
  • Educational services (5.8%)
Most common industries for males in 2000
  • Public administration (14.5%)
  • Construction (12.7%)
  • Metal & metal products (10.9%)
  • Other transportation, support activities, couriers (7.3%)
  • Motor vehicles, parts & supplies merchant wholesalers (5.5%)
  • Electrical & electronic goods merchant wholesalers (5.5%)
  • Educational services (5.5%)
Most common industries for females in 2000
  • Health care (45.2%)
  • Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, similar organizations (12.9%)
  • Accommodation & food services (9.7%)
  • Food & beverage stores (6.5%)
  • Professional, scientific, technical services (6.5%)
  • Administrative & support & waste management services (6.5%)
  • Educational services (6.5%)
Most common occupations in Benson, PA (%)
Both Males Females
Most common occupations in 2000
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (15.1%)
  • Cooks and food preparation workers (7.0%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (7.0%)
  • Law enforcement workers, including supervisors (5.8%)
  • Health technologists and technicians (5.8%)
  • Carpenters (5.8%)
  • Art and design workers (3.5%)
Most common occupations for males in 2000
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (10.9%)
  • Law enforcement workers, including supervisors (9.1%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (9.1%)
  • Carpenters (9.1%)
  • Art and design workers (5.5%)
  • Cooks and food preparation workers (5.5%)
  • Construction laborers (5.5%)
Most common occupations for females in 2000
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (25.8%)
  • Health technologists and technicians (16.1%)
  • Cooks and food preparation workers (9.7%)
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (9.7%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (6.5%)
  • Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers (6.5%)
  • Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (6.5%)

Average climate in Benson, Pennsylvania

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Benson, Pennsylvania average temperatures Benson, Pennsylvania average precipitation Benson, Pennsylvania humidity Benson, Pennsylvania wind speed Benson, Pennsylvania snowfall Benson, Pennsylvania sunshine Benson, Pennsylvania clear and cloudy days
Air pollution and air quality trends
(lower is better)
AQI CO NO2 SO2 Ozone PM10 PM2.5 Pb
Air Quality Index

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2023 was 79.3. This is about average.

City:

79.3
U.S.:

72.6
Carbon Monoxide Level

Carbon Monoxide (CO) [ppm] level in 2023 was 0.260. This is about average. Closest monitor was 7.1 miles away from the city center.

City:

0.260
U.S.:

0.251
Nitrogen Dioxide Level

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) [ppb] level in 2023 was 5.60. This is about average. Closest monitor was 7.1 miles away from the city center.

City:

5.60
U.S.:

5.11
Sulfur Dioxide Level

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) [ppb] level in 2023 was 0.606. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 8.2 miles away from the city center.

City:

0.606
U.S.:

1.515
Ozone Level

Ozone [ppb] level in 2023 was 31.8. This is about average. Closest monitor was 7.1 miles away from the city center.

City:

31.8
U.S.:

33.3
Particulate Matter Level

Particulate Matter (PM10) [µg/m3] level in 2023 was 14.7. This is better than average. Closest monitor was 7.1 miles away from the city center.

City:

14.7
U.S.:

19.2
Particulate Matter Level

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) [µg/m3] level in 2023 was 10.9. This is worse than average. Closest monitor was 7.1 miles away from the city center.

City:

10.9
U.S.:

8.1
Lead Level

Lead (Pb) [µg/m3] level in 2009 was 0.0476. This is significantly worse than average. Closest monitor was 8.2 miles away from the city center.

City:

0.0476
U.S.:

0.0093

Tornado activity:

Benson-area historical tornado activity is slightly below Pennsylvania state average. It is 37% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 6/2/1998, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 18.9 miles away from the Benson borough center injured 5 people and caused $6 million in damages.

On 6/3/1980, a category F4 tornado 39.7 miles away from the borough center injured 140 people and caused between $50,000,000 and $500,000,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Benson-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Pennsylvania state average. It is 58% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 8/23/2011 at 17:51:04, a magnitude 5.8 (5.8 MW, Depth: 3.7 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 167.6 miles away from the city center
On 9/25/1998 at 19:52:52, a magnitude 5.2 (4.8 MB, 4.3 MS, 5.2 LG, 4.5 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 117.4 miles away from Benson center
On 1/31/1986 at 16:46:43, a magnitude 5.0 (5.0 MB) earthquake occurred 151.4 miles away from Benson center
On 1/16/1994 at 01:49:16, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB, 4.6 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 152.8 miles away from the city center
On 8/25/2011 at 05:07:52, a magnitude 4.5 (4.5 ML, Depth: 4.2 mi) earthquake occurred 164.6 miles away from the city center
On 8/9/2020 at 12:07:37, a magnitude 5.1 (5.1 MW, Depth: 4.7 mi) earthquake occurred 283.6 miles away from the city center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Somerset County (19) is greater than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 14
Emergencies Declared: 5

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 5, Storms: 5, Snowstorms: 4, Winter Storms: 4, Hurricanes: 3, Tropical Storms: 2, Blizzard: 1, Snowfall: 1, Tornado: 1, Tropical Depression: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Benson topographic map

Hospitals and medical centers near Benson:

  • LAUREL VIEW VILLAGE (Nursing Home, about 4 miles away; DAVIDSVILLE, PA)
  • CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN HOME (Nursing Home, about 5 miles away; WINDBER, PA)
  • WINDBER HOSPITAL Acute Care Hospitals (about 6 miles away; WINDBER, PA)
  • WINDBER HOME HEALTH AGENCY (Home Health Center, about 6 miles away; WINDBER, PA)
  • CONEMAUGH VALLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Acute Care Hospitals (about 6 miles away; JOHNSTOWN, PA)
  • GOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER (Hospital, about 6 miles away; JOHNSTOWN, PA)
  • CONEMAUGH VALLEY MEM HOSP TRANS CARE U (Nursing Home, about 6 miles away; JOHNSTOWN, PA)

Amtrak station near Benson:

  • 9 miles: JOHNSTOWN (47 WALNUT ST.) . Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, vending machines, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service.

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Benson:

  • University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown (about 7 miles; Johnstown, PA; Full-time enrollment: 2,815)
  • Wyo Tech-Blairsville (about 23 miles; Blairsville, PA; FT enrollment: 2,602)
  • Saint Francis University (about 26 miles; Loretto, PA; FT enrollment: 2,636)
  • Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus (about 31 miles; Indiana, PA; FT enrollment: 14,471)
  • Westmoreland County Community College (about 34 miles; Youngwood, PA; FT enrollment: 4,669)
  • Seton Hill University (about 34 miles; Greensburg, PA; FT enrollment: 2,167)
  • Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona (about 36 miles; Altoona, PA; FT enrollment: 3,656)

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear borough borders

Creek: Quemahoning Creek (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Somerset County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential
Average household size:
This borough:

2.5 people
Pennsylvania:

2.5 people

Percentage of family households:
This borough:

71.8%
Whole state:

65.0%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This borough:

9.0%
Whole state:

6.6%


No gay or lesbian households reported

For population 15 years and over in Benson:

Marital status in Benson, PA
  • Never married: 25.4%
  • Now married: 63.0%
  • Separated: 1.3%
  • Widowed: 4.4%
  • Divorced: 5.9%

For population 25 years and over in Benson:

  • High school or higher: 89.9%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 6.4%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 0.0%
  • Unemployed: 7.5%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 19.7 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2022
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2022
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

6.4
Pennsylvania average:

11.4

Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Benson, PA (based on Somerset County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Mainline Protestant20,67891
Evangelical Protestant13,61193
Catholic10,29815
Other1,0225
Orthodox3435
None31,790-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 18
Here:

2.31 / 10,000 pop.
Pennsylvania:

2.04 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 1
This county:

0.13 / 10,000 pop.
Pennsylvania:

0.09 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 4
Somerset County:

0.51 / 10,000 pop.
Pennsylvania:

0.88 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 28
This county:

3.60 / 10,000 pop.
State:

2.52 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 46
This county:

5.91 / 10,000 pop.
State:

7.12 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Here:

9.6%
Pennsylvania:

9.1%
Adult obesity rate:
Here:

29.1%
Pennsylvania:

27.2%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Somerset County:

10.3%
Pennsylvania:

11.5%
Local government employment and payroll (March 2022)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Financial Administration 0$0 3$862
Totals for Government 0$0 3$862

Benson government finances - Expenditure in 2017 (per resident):

  • Current Operations - Regular Highways: $21,000 ($114.75)
    Central Staff Services: $15,000 ($81.97)
    Police Protection: $8,000 ($43.72)
    General - Other: $6,000 ($32.79)
    Sewerage: $4,000 ($21.86)
    Local Fire Protection: $3,000 ($16.39)
    Protective Inspection and Regulation - Other: $1,000 ($5.46)

Benson government finances - Revenue in 2017 (per resident):

  • Charges - Sewerage: $13,000 ($71.04)
  • Federal Intergovernmental - Other: $1,000 ($5.46)
  • Miscellaneous - Fines and Forfeits: $1,000 ($5.46)
    Donations From Private Sources: $1,000 ($5.46)
    Interest Earnings: $0 ($0.00)
  • State Intergovernmental - Other: $7,000 ($38.25)
  • Tax - Property: $14,000 ($76.50)
    Individual Income: $11,000 ($60.11)
    Occupation and Business License - Other: $3,000 ($16.39)
    Public Utility License: $2,000 ($10.93)

Benson government finances - Debt in 2017 (per resident):

  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $11,000 ($60.11)
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $6,000 ($32.79)
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $5,000 ($27.32)

Benson government finances - Cash and Securities in 2017 (per resident):

  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $6,000 ($32.79)

Strongest AM radio stations in Benson:

  • WLYE (850 AM; 10 kW; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: FOREVER OF JOHNSTOWN, INC.)
  • WVSC (990 AM; 10 kW; SOMERSET, PA; Owner: FOREVER OF JOHNSTOWN, INC.)
  • KDKA (1020 AM; 50 kW; PITTSBURGH, PA; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)
  • WYSN (1330 AM; 5 kW; SOMERSET, PA; Owner: DAME BROADCASTING, LLC)
  • WCRO (1230 AM; 1 kW; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: GREATER JOHNSTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT)
  • WCCS (1160 AM; 10 kW; HOMER CITY, PA; Owner: RENDA RADIO, INC.)
  • WNTJ (1490 AM; 1 kW; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WZSK (1040 AM; daytime; 10 kW; EVERETT, PA; Owner: NEW MILLENNIUM COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.)
  • WFRB (560 AM; 5 kW; FROSTBURG, MD; Owner: WTBO-WKGO CORPORATION, L.L.C.)
  • WKHB (620 AM; 6 kW; IRWIN, PA; Owner: BROADCAST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WHJB (1600 AM; 5 kW; BEDFORD, PA; Owner: JOHN H. CESSNA)
  • WCBM (680 AM; 50 kW; BALTIMORE, MD; Owner: WCBM MARYLAND, INC.)
  • WKMC (1370 AM; 5 kW; ROARING SPRING, PA; Owner: ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN NETWORK)

Strongest FM radio stations in Benson:

  • WQEJ (89.7 FM; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: WQED MULTIMEDIA)
  • WCCL (101.7 FM; CENTRAL CITY, PA; Owner: DAME BROADCASTING, LLC)
  • WFRJ (88.9 FM; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: FAMILY STATIONS, INC.)
  • WKYE (95.5 FM; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: FOREVER OF JOHNSTOWN, INC.)
  • WQKK (92.1 FM; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: DAME BROADCASTING, LLC)
  • WMTZ (96.5 FM; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WAYC (100.9 FM; BEDFORD, PA; Owner: CESSNA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WBVE (107.5 FM; BEDFORD, PA; Owner: CESSNA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WGLU (99.1 FM; EBENSBURG, PA; Owner: DAME BROADCASTING, LLC)
  • WBXQ (94.7 FM; CRESSON, PA; Owner: SOUNDS GOOD, INC.)
  • WMAJ-FM (104.9 FM; HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA; Owner: FOREVER OF PA, LLC)
  • W294AE (106.7 FM; ALTOONA, PA; Owner: THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY)
  • WUZY (97.7 FM; SOMERSET, PA; Owner: FOREVER OF JOHNSTOWN,INC.)
  • W267AC (101.3 FM; ALTOONA, PA; Owner: ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN NETWORK)
  • WQZS (93.3 FM; MEYERSDALE, PA; Owner: ROGER WAHL)
  • WSKE (104.3 FM; EVERETT, PA; Owner: NEW MILLENNIUM COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.)
  • WROG (102.9 FM; CUMBERLAND, MD; Owner: TSCHUDY RADIO, INC)
  • WFWM (91.9 FM; FROSTBURG, MD; Owner: FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY)
  • WKGO (106.1 FM; CUMBERLAND, MD; Owner: WTBO-WKGO CORPORATION, L.L.C.)
  • WLIC (97.1 FM; FROSTBURG, MD; Owner: HE'S ALIVE, INC.)

TV broadcast stations around Benson:

  • WNPA (Channel 19; JEANNETTE, PA; Owner: VIACOM STATIONS GROUP OF PITTSBURGH INC.)
  • WJAC-TV (Channel 6; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: WPXI-TV HOLDINGS, INC.)
  • WWCP-TV (Channel 8; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: PEAK MEDIA OF PA LICENSEE LLC)
  • WLLS-LP (Channel 49; INDIANA, PA; Owner: LARRY L. SCHRECONGOST)
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 7Number of bridges
  • 131ft / 40.0mTotal length
  • $2,729,000Total costs
  • 5,001Total average daily traffic
  • 204Total average daily truck traffic
  • 6,744Total future (year 2032) average daily traffic
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Aggregated Statistics For Year 2003
(Based on 1 partial tract)
C) Refinancings
NumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED2$73,480
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED0$0
APPLICATIONS DENIED1$45,690
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN0$0
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS0$0
Choose year:  2003 2002 2001 1999

Detailed HMDA statistics for the following Tracts: 0201.02

Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Benson, PA
  • 67.9%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
  • 24.5%Coal or coke
  • 3.8%Utility gas
  • 1.9%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 1.9%Electricity
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Benson, PA
  • 100.0%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.


Benson compared to Pennsylvania state average:

  • Median household income below state average.
  • Median house value significantly below state average.
  • Unemployed percentage below state average.
  • Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in below state average.
  • House age above state average.
  • Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly below state average.
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