$179,858Average Value$102Average Price per Sq Ft15Homes For Sale
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."
Benson has a population of less than 3,500 people.
Benson Bakery is located on Pacific Avenue.
1/2
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.
Much of Benson's economy comes from agriculture.
Farmers in Benson pick up supplies from Runnings General Store.
1/2
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.
Colonial Revival and American Foursquare are among the housing styles in Benson.
Most homes in Benson are single-family.
1/2
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.
Benson Park is a must-visit spot for anyone looking to enjoy world-class aquatic fun and a fantastic 18-hole golf outing in a friendly community setting.
Ambush Park features beautiful walking trails right along the river providing a peaceful and scenic environment for hikers and nature lovers.
1/2
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.
Benson Secondary School takes pride in its state-of-the-art facilities including a modern performing arts center and collaborative learning spaces for all students.
Northside Elementary School offers a strong foundation for early learners through its comprehensive preschool and early childhood programs that prepare children for future success.
1/2
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.
Locals can grab essentials at the Family Dollar in Benson.
Whistle Stop Diner is in a popular lunch spot in Benson.
1/2
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
Photography Contributed By
Adam Lapallo
Video By
Daniel Quattro
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Paul Ryan,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Benson, MN sell after 76 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Benson, MN over the last 12 months is $162,500, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Great Opportunity to own a beautiful property close to town! This charming 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home is set on a beautiful landscaped one-acre lot. The main floor features fresh paint and new carpet, while the basement includes one finished room with plenty of space left to customize to your needs. The kitchen is equipped with newer stainless steel appliances, plus a new washer and dryer in lower
Beautiful 5-acre property just outside Benson featuring a custom-built home. Built in 1993 with steel siding, Marvin windows, and a poured concrete foundation, this home reflects superior craftsmanship and attention to detail. The property includes over two acres of landscaped lawn with in-ground sprinklers and mature trees, creating a peaceful country setting.The main floor features an
Swift County MN - ONLINE ONLY AUCTION ENDING January 26th, 2026 @ 11:00am. Total of 80 Deeded Acres. Any interested buyers can obtain an information packet. Camp Lake Township, Swift County MN. 58.65 Acres in CRP until 2035 & 14.3 Tillable Acres.Copyright 2025 Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota [NorthStarMLS]. All rights reserved. All information provided by the listing
Great commercial/investment opportunity! This property is multi-zoned for commercial & residential single-unit. With a move-in-ready 2-bedroom/one bath apartment on the upper level and space on the main floor for a small business or just extra storage space. The building has an extra-large garage and plenty of yard space. This property is just waiting for the right buyer!
Property Id: 1996485Northview Court Townhomes. 3 bedroom, 1 and a half bathroom townhome. Damage deposit $1,230.Rent includes water, sewer, garbage, heat and one stall attached garage. Tenant pays electricity. Pets are allowed, 2 maximum with $400 per pet deposit, and $40 per pet monthly rent. Application fee is $60 per adult. Call Slava at
Property Id: 2332700Welcome to this charming townhouse located at 1049 13th St N, Benson, MN! This 2-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom home boasts 964 square feet of comfortable living space and is perfect for those seeking a cozy yet functional environment. Built in 1999, the property features a secure building with modern amenities, including a well-equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, range oven,
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
