Benson County Income Charts

This section shows the Benson County North Dakota economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2022 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Benson County shows it has a Median earnings of $45,625 which is less than most other counties in the area. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Wells County which shows a median earnings of $54,947 (20.4% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $53,269, Benson County is about 16.8% smaller. Also, compared to the state of North Dakota, median earnings per worker of $52,785, Benson County is about 15.7% smaller.

In Figure 2 a more complete view of income is shown which aggregates income from all members in the household and it has a Median household income of $54,375 which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Foster County which depicts a median income of $71,250 (31.0% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $69,021, Benson County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, versus the state of North Dakota, median household income of $68,131, Benson County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 41.1 which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Eddy County which depicts an average hours of 42.7 (only about 3.9% larger). Dividing median annual worker earnings by the average number of hours worked in a year in Figure 6 shows that it has a Avg Hrly Earnings of $21.35 which is the second smallest when sorted by average hourly earnings of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Wells County which indicates an average hourly earnings of $25.59 (19.8% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $26.40, Benson County is about 23.7% smaller. Also, versus the state of North Dakota, average hourly earnings of $25.44, Benson County is about 19.2% smaller.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Benson County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Benson County indicates it has a Self Employed of 16.3% which is the second smallest when ranked by percentage of people self employed of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Foster County which depicts a percentage self employed of 34.4% (about twice as large).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the percentage of median income-under 25 years the second smallest in terms of median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the local area at $48,889 of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of median income-25 to 44 years at $62,951 of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of median income-45 to 64 years at $56,750 of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Benson County has the largest proportion of social security at 1.2% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart (Figure 11) shows the percentage of households that had retirement income over the last 12 months and it has a With Retirement Income of 13.8% which is the second smallest in order of households with retirement income of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Wells County which depicts a households with retirement income of 19.5% (41.5% larger).

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and has the percentage of overall family income less than most other counties in the local area at $78,125 of the total. Second, it has in the center range of other counties in the local area in order of black family income at $32,500 of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of hawaiian family income at $113,571 of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Benson County depicts it has the hightest cost of 113.6 for the cost of miscellaneous items aggregate.

Benson County Labor Force Charts

The next two charts look at very recent, monthly trended employment related performance using data estimated by economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS tracks unemployment statistics for a large number of areas throughout the country on a month to month basis. However, not every location in the U.S. is tracked by the BLS so the chart will only show the closest location available (which may be the same location.) Figure 14 shows the monthly unemployment rate for the area as well as a comparison to the overall national economy measure for the United States. Note that in March to April 2020, the Covid 19 recession or great recession occurred and affects this metric. . It depicts that from February 2010 to before the Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 7.0% to 4.3% in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 38.6%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 3.0% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 30.2%. In Figure 15 the monthly labor force participation which are people actively looking for work are also defined as unemployed but do not include people who have given up looking for work. . It shows that from February 2010 to before the Wuhan Coronavirus/COVID Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 2,767 to 2,385 in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 13.8%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 2,169 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 9.1%.

The next two charts look at the annual unemployment rate/eligible for unemployment benefits and is based on the American Community survey. Figure 16 shows Benson County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 1.7% which is the second most unemployment rate of all the counties in the greater Benson County region. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Towner County which depicts a rate of 2.0% (18.8% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Benson County shows it has a Labor Force Participation of 50.6% which is the smallest when ranked by participation rate of all the other counties in the area.

The Components of Employment Status graph in Figure 18 shows the composition of the labor force broken down by employed, unemployed, and not in the labor force (but 16 years of age or older). Benson County has the largest proportion of unemployed at 49.4% of the total and is ranked #1.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Benson County depicts full time employees approximately 4.0 times bigger as the part time employees.

The next employment related data item is shown in Figure 21 which is the percentage of families with only a single earner in the greater Benson County area. Benson County depicts it has a Single Earner Families of 32.4% which is more than all other counties in the greater Benson County region. The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Benson County shows it has a Families with No One Working of 19.1% which is the second most families with no one working of all the counties in the greater Benson County region. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Pierce County which depicts a families with no worker of 19.3% ( about the same size).

Benson County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Benson County community. This performance can be enhanced by government programs such as economic opportunity zone to influence manufacturing, job growth, economic opportunity an hopefully lead to economic recovery after the recent Covid 19 recession. In Figure 23 the total number of people earning less than the poverty level are shown. Benson County shows it has a Total In Poverty of 1,823 which is the highest of all counties in the greater Benson County region.

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Benson County depicts it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 30.2% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Benson County region.

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Benson County has the largest proportion of person in poverty under 12 years at 16% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 35 to 54 years at 8% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 55 to 64 years at 5% of the total.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Benson County has the largest proportion of white poverty rate at 90% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of american indian poverty rate at 41% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Foster County (100%), and #1 Towner County (100%) are larger. Third, it has in the center range of other counties in the greater region as measured by hawaiian poverty rate at 16% of the total.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Benson County has one of the largest proportions of married with children and in poverty at 50% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Ramsey County (53%), and #1 Pierce County (54%) are larger. Second, it has the largest proportion of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 64% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Benson County has the largest proportion of less than highschool in poverty at 33% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of highschool graduate and in poverty at 20% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. Benson County has the largest proportion of people who are in poverty and unemployed at 21.6% of the total and is ranked #1. Additionally, Figure 30 looks at the percentage of people who receive some form of public assistance including general assistance, temporary assistance or food stamps (i.e. SNAP.) Benson County depicts it has a Public Assistance Percent of 20.3% which is more than all other counties in the greater Benson County region.

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Benson County shows it has a Gini Index of 50.6% which is the second most the gini index of all the counties in the greater Benson County region.

Benson County Work Commute Charts

Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Benson County or elsewhere.) Benson County has the largest proportion of people who took a taxicab, motorcycle or other at 4% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Benson County has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 5am to 530am at 2% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 6am to 630am at 5% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 730 am to 8am at 19% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Benson County has the percentage of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes the second smallest when sorted by people with commute time of less than 5 minutes of all the other counties in the metro area at 19% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 20% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Ramsey County with 24%. Third, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 10 to 14 minutes at 14% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 25 to 29 minutes at 12% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 45 to 59 minutes at 0% of the total.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Benson County shows it has a Avg Commute Time of 16 which is less than most other counties in the greater region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Benson County indicates average commute time in minutes for men about 14.3% smaller as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Benson County has the largest proportion of no vehicle available at 21% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of 1 vehicle available at 23% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of 4 vehicles available at 13% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Benson County shows it has a Work in city or place where live of 35% which is the smallest as measured by people who both work and live in the same city of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Ramsey County which depicts a people who both work and live in the same city of 76% (about twice as large). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 44%, Benson County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in contrast to the state of North Dakota, people who both work and live in the same city of 64%, Benson County is approximately half the size.

Benson County Jobs Charts

The next to charts break out the median earnings for major job categories for men and women. Figure 46 shows the median earnings of men for the job categories. Benson County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $79,375 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations aggregate. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Benson County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $58,438 for the earnings-production, transportation, material moving occupations aggregate. The table in Figure 48, shows Benson County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Benson County Self Employment Charts

Figure 49 shows economic activity in terms of the number of people who are self employed in incorporated local business by industry. Benson County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 44% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses aggregate.

Similar to the last chart is Figure 50 which shows the number of people who are self employed but in more detailed industry categories such as manufacturing, retail sales, residential real estate, commercial real estate, health care, exports/imports, and advanced industries, etc. Benson County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 38% for the self employed in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining group.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Benson County depicts it has a Self Employment Income of $76,550 which is the largest of all counties in the greater Benson County region. Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $42,141, Benson County is about twice as large. Also, measured against the state of North Dakota, average annual self employment income of $49,374, Benson County is 55.0% larger.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Benson County depicts total number of self-employed men approximately 4.6 times bigger as the total number of self-employed women.