Benson's small-town charm keeps natives around and attracts newcomers
Benson is home to fewer than 3,500 people, many born and raised in the small Minnesota city. "A lot of people from the area think about moving away," says Terri Collins, a Realtor at Hughs Real Estate & Auction Service and former mayor of Benson. "But once they get older or start having kids, they realize how nice it is and how many benefits there are."
Diverse employers, options for recreation, well-funded schools, and community events are just a few things that keep native residents around and attract new people. "This last year, most homes I sold were to new residents," Collins says. "There's something here for everyone, and it's a more diverse community than 25 years ago."
Industry has diversified but still leans agricultural
Benson was a significant trading center in the late 1800s after The St. Paul and Pacific Railroad extended west to the city in 1870. Farming was the main way of life, and nearby grain elevators prompted a boom in crop growing. In the years since, Benson's industry has diversified to include a few large employers. "The biggest are our hospital, our schools and manufacturers," Collins says. "We're also still very agricultural, and so much of our economy relies on our farmers and how well they do each year." Benson also employs many government officials as the county seat of Swift County.
Single-family homes dominate the area
Victorian cottages from the early 1900s, bungalows and Cape Cods are on the gridded streets, ranging from $70,000 to $190,000. A few traditional pocket neighborhoods and subdivisions have ranch-style, split-level and bi-level homes from the mid- to late-1900s. Those, as well as larger bungalows and Colonial Revival homes, range from $190,000 to $410,000. There are minimal apartment complexes, townhouses or multi-family homes in the area, but according to Collins, there is a big push for developers to build duplexes. "I don't think we could build enough for how many people we have on the waitlist," she says.
Outdoor spaces where the community gathers
Despite its small size, the city has no shortage of parks and destinations for outdoor recreation. Brock Field has baseball diamonds, softball diamonds and a concession stand for youth leagues. Benson Park has a city-owned golf course and a public pool equipped with a shallow splash area and a multi-story waterslide. Residents wanting to connect with nature can camp, fish, hike and kayak at Ambush Park. Those looking for live music head to Roosevelt Park for a Music in the Park series that takes place every other summer Thursday.
A children's museum called Mini Sota Agricultural Children's Museum is under construction to honor the city's agricultural foundation.
The school district secures $26.5 million in funding
Northside Elementary School teaches prekindergarten through fifth grade and earns a B-minus from Niche. Benson High School, which has a junior high school and a senior high school that share one building, is rated a B. The city passed a referendum worth $26.5 million in 2024 that will drastically improve both school buildings. "Classic for a small town, the referendum was voted down the first time," Collins says. "The second vote around, it passed with flying colors."
Benson High School was originally a one-room schoolhouse, which had its first graduate in 1890 and can still be visited today at Ambush Park.
A farmers market and local businesses in an interesting downtown area
Locally owned restaurants and boutiques are along Pacific Avenue and Atlantic Avenue, the two main streets that make up either side of a downtown area intersected by an active train track. "We call the space between the main streets Railroad Park, and there's a farmers market there every Thursday," Collins says. Whistle Stop Diner is in a remodeled historic train car that faces the track. The dining section replicates a train's dining car, with faux windows and curved, vaulted ceilings. Benson Bakery across the street has display cases of pastries, cookies and chocolates. "The blueberry donuts are my favorite," Collins says. Family Dollar, Runnings and local specialty shops like Mike's Guns & Sporting Goods are in the city. Walmart, Kohl's and other big-brand stores are 30 miles east along U.S. Route 12 in Wilmar.
Traffic is limited, unless there’s a train passing
The train tracks are active, with a train coming through almost hourly, according to Collins. "If you have a short lunch break, you don't cross the tracks for risk of not getting back in time," she says. "A traffic block in Benson consists of cars five blocks back just waiting for the train to pass." U.S. Route 12 and Minnesota state highways 9 and 29 are the area's main roads. St. Cloud is about 85 miles northeast, and Minneapolis is about 140 miles southeast. Central Care – Benson Hospital is the local health center, and the closest international airport is in Minneapolis. Areas around the Chippewa River are susceptible to flooding, but houses are mostly unaffected.
Written By
Heather Haggerty
