Benson ZIP Codes — Swift County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Benson, Minnesota and it is 56215. Area code: 320.

ZIP codes

211.20

sq mi land

2.84

sq mi water

320

area code

Benson, MN ZIP code map

About Benson, MN

Benson, Minnesota, is a charming city located in Swift County, known for its small-town atmosphere and community spirit. The city is rich in local culture and offers various outdoor recreational opportunities, making it a welcoming place for residents and visitors alike. With a strong sense of community, Benson is an ideal spot for those looking to experience rural Minnesota living.

Location & geography

Benson is situated in the central part of Minnesota and serves as the county seat of Swift County. The city is roughly 25 miles from cities like Willmar to the south, and 30 miles from Alexandria to the north, offering residents access to larger urban centers. The total land area of Benson encompasses 211.20 square miles, with a small water area of 2.84 square miles, adding to its picturesque landscape.

Community & economy

The character of Benson is marked by strong community ties and a focus on local events and activities. The economy is primarily driven by agriculture, as Swift County is known for its fertile farmland, and various small businesses contribute to the local industry. Daily life in Benson is characterized by a friendly atmosphere, where residents often come together for community gatherings and celebrations.

Transportation

Benson is accessible via several highways, including U.S. Route 9 and Minnesota State Highway 29, providing connections to nearby areas. The nearest major airport is located about 30 miles away in Willmar, which offers various commercial flight options. Local transit options are available, but service may be limited compared to larger urban areas.

History

Benson was established in the late 19th century and was named after one of its early settlers, John Benson. Agriculture has always been a key industry in the area, supporting the city's economy and growth through the years. Over time, Benson has seen significant events like the establishment of the Swift County Fair, which celebrates local agriculture and community spirit.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Benson is that it hosts an annual Potato Fest, celebrating the region's farming heritage and the importance of potatoes to its economy. This event draws visitors from surrounding areas, showcasing local culture through food, music, and community activities.

ZIP codes for Benson, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
56215	Benson	Swift	View map

Demographics & statistics

4,696

Population

43.8

Median age

$54,942

Median household income

$36,416

Per capita income

$150,500

Median home value

$898

Median monthly rent

69.5%

Home ownership

8.0%

Poverty rate

3.5%

Unemployment

1,589

Housing units

26.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

155

Under 5

153

5–9

153

10–14

151

228

15–19

226

119

20–24

118

248

25–34

245

275

35–44

272

283

45–54

280

152

55–59

151

152

60–64

151

291

65–74

289

152

75–84

151

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,037	22.1%
18 and over	3,659	77.9%
65 and over	1,065	22.7%
Median age	43.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91.5%

Two or more races 4.5%

Hispanic or Latino 2.9%

Black or African American 0.7%

Other race 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	4,426	91.5%
Two or more races	218	4.5%
Hispanic or Latino	141	2.9%
Black or African American	33	0.7%
Other race	16	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	3	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.6%

$10k–$15k 4.0%

$15k–$25k 10.3%

$25k–$35k 10.6%

$35k–$50k 12.5%

$50k–$75k 19.4%

$75k–$100k 8.2%

$100k–$150k 17.8%

$150k–$200k 5.1%

$200k+ 8.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.6%
$10k–$15k	4.0%
$15k–$25k	10.3%
$25k–$35k	10.6%
$35k–$50k	12.5%
$50k–$75k	19.4%
$75k–$100k	8.2%
$100k–$150k	17.8%
$150k–$200k	5.1%
$200k+	8.7%
Median income	$54,942

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.2%

$50k–$100k 24.1%

$100k–$150k 17.4%

$150k–$200k 16.0%

$200k–$300k 18.6%

$300k–$500k 10.3%

$500k–$1M 2.6%

$1M+ 2.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$150,500
Median rent / month	$898
Owner occupied	69.5%
Renter occupied	30.5%
Vacant	9.1%
Single-family detached	79.3%
Large apartment buildings	9.1%
Mobile homes	1.2%
Median rooms	6.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.36

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	3.5%
2000–2009	8.5%
1990–1999	8.4%
1980–1989	6.6%
1970–1979	10.6%
1960–1969	8.8%
1950–1959	17.1%
1940–1949	13.9%
1939 or earlier	22.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.2%
1 bedroom	7.7%
2 bedrooms	24.7%
3 bedrooms	39.1%
4 bedrooms	22.2%
5+ bedrooms	6.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.9%
1 vehicle	32.6%
2 vehicles	41.7%
3 or more	21.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	56.2%
Electricity	19.3%
Propane / LP gas	17.8%
Fuel oil	5.0%
Wood	0.3%
No fuel used	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	955	47.8%
Cohabiting couple	148	7.4%
Male householder, no spouse	393	19.7%
Female householder, no spouse	502	25.1%
Households with children under 18	626	31.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	704	35.2%
Average household size	2.29

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	33.9%	22.4%
Married	50.5%	48.9%
Separated	1.3%	1.0%
Widowed	2.3%	14.4%
Divorced	12.0%	13.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.2%

Some HS, no diploma 2.9%

HS graduate 30.2%

Some college, no degree 22.2%

Associate's degree 15.6%

Bachelor's degree 23.0%

Graduate / professional 3.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.9%
Bachelor's or higher	26.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	89	8.0%
Kindergarten	20	1.8%
Elementary school	379	34.0%
High school	360	32.3%
College / grad school	268	24.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.2%

Manufacturing 16.1%

Retail trade 10.0%

Agriculture & mining 9.0%

Transportation & utilities 7.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.0%

Professional & management 6.3%

Other services 4.9%

Public administration 4.2%

Construction 2.8%

Finance & real estate 1.5%

Information 1.4%

Wholesale trade 1.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	40.3%
Service	17.5%
Sales & office	18.7%
Natural resources & construction	6.9%
Production & transportation	16.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	73.7%
Government	17.5%
Self-employed	8.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.6%
Carpool	5.9%
Public transit	0.7%
Walk	6.3%
Other means	1.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	18.3

Poverty

All people 8.0%

Under 18 years 7.2%

18 and over 8.2%

Married-couple families 0.5%

Female-led households 19.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	38.2%
Retirement income	21.9%
Supplemental Security	4.5%
Cash public assistance	4.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	14.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.0%
High cholesterol	33.3%
Heart disease	8.2%
Stroke	3.9%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	28.3%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	7.3%
Cancer	8.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.6%
No physical activity	23.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.6%
Fair or poor health	14.7%
Poor mental health	13.3%
Poor physical health	11.1%
No health insurance	11.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.0%
Visited dentist	66.6%
Cholesterol screening	89.8%
Teeth loss	13.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	199	5.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	18.0%
Under 18	2.6%
18–64 years	15.7%
65 and over	39.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	71.3%
Public insurance	46.2%
Uninsured under 19	2.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	4,388	93.4%
Spanish	26	0.6%
Other Indo-European	21	0.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	5	0.1%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	4,648	99.0%
Born in same state	4,636	98.7%
Born in different state	3,908	83.2%
Foreign born	12	0.3%
Naturalized citizen	48	1.0%
Not a US citizen	4	8.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	1,428	30.4%
Italian	455	9.7%
French	366	7.8%
Arab	206	4.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	71	1.5%
Dutch	29	0.6%
Irish	8	0.2%
German	7	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.5%
Internet access	91.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Benson, MN have?

Benson, MN has one ZIP code: 56215. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.