Benson offers small-town living with a Main Street and rural roads
A small town of about 4,000 residents between Raleigh and Fayetteville, Benson has both a charming downtown and rural outskirts. The town was established around a railroad in 1887 as business owners were attracted to its prime location between two major cities. Designated as a Main Street Community, the town’s center promotes local businesses and hosts family-friendly events. Benson embraces its history of hard work by traveling back in time each year to celebrate Mule Days, an event that brings in 20,000 to 60,000 visitors. Today, this Johnston County community still attracts residents looking for proximity to the surrounding cities, and Interstate 95 and Interstate 40 make those commutes more manageable. “It’s a very commuter-friendly and accessible town,” says Rose Podgradski, a broker with Buy Homes with Rose LLC who has lived in Benson for a decade. “Main Street has some older homes with vintage charm, but there are a lot of new developments coming to Benson."
The Mary Duncan Public Library sits conveniently on Benson’s Main Street.
Benson has a rail road that runs through town.
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The annual Benson Mule Days entertains thousands of town visitors
The community has been coming together for more than 75 years to celebrate the annual Benson Mule Days, a four-day event in September that embraces the town’s rural past. “Mule Days is amazing. You just have to be comfortable with being country for a day,” Podgradski says. “From Thursday to Sunday, people come from all over the country on their horses or pull their horses behind on a trailer. I’ve talked to people who said it took them four days to get here on their horse and buggy. You’ll even see people at the Taco Bell drive-thru on their horses.” The event lineup includes a rodeo, a golf tournament, carnival rides, live music, and a parade, which Podgradski argues is the best part. “The parade is long, but it’s entertaining. The local Sudan Dunn Clowns do crazy things on horseback, and The Shriners are volunteers that drive in circles in little miniature racecars, raising money for kids in hospitals. Anyone who arrives on a horse can tag on at the end.”
Older bungalows line downtown and new Craftsmans dot the outskirts
Housing styles in Benson vary depending on their location. Ranch-style homes and bungalows near the town’s center are often older, many built in the 1950s, and offer classic elements like wide front porches, detached garages and colorful interior tiling. Ranch-style homes around the outskirts of town were typically built later in the ‘70s through ‘90s and offer more space. There are also newly constructed Craftsman homes on the south side of Benson with attached garages and nearly an acre of land. Home prices generally range from $175,000 to $315,000.
Buyers looking for something bigger can find 2,000- to 3,000-square-foot New Traditionals and Farmhouse Revivals further out in the countryside with two-car garages on more than an acre. Most of these two-story houses were either built or remodeled between 2020 and 2025 and go from $330,000 to upwards of $600,000.
Colorful bungalows line the residential streets of Benson.
Newer Benson homes showcase Craftsman-inspired details and modern amenities.
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Local boutiques, eateries and museums line Main Street
The downtown area along Main Street and the narrow, gridded streets that connect to it feature locally-owned shops and eateries. “Main Street is lined with antique shops and a lot of niche boutiques,” says Podgradski. “On the same road, Cornerstone Cafe is probably the most well-known eatery with coffee and sandwiches. And Fainting Goat Brewing Company does music bingo, as well as live music and food trucks.” Nearby, Sister’s II Ice Cream serves homemade ice cream. A few blocks from there at the other end of Main Street near Interstate 95, Daddy D’s BBQ is a family-owned Benson favorite. This retail-heavy area also features several takeout and fast-food spots, convenience markets and a Food Lion.
Main Street is also home to the Benson Museum of Local History, which explores the town’s agricultural past, baseball legacy and World War I history. “It’s a cool museum, and you can learn a lot there,” Podgradski says. She also mentions that there’s no shortage of churches in town, with the more historic institutions being on Church Street. Benson Baptist Church sits on the corner with Romanesque architecture and stained-glass windows, and Benson Methodist Church also stands tall on a corner lot with towering spires.
Morgan’s on Main is a popular boutique in Benson’s downtown shopping district.
Cornerstone Cafe & Coffee is Benson’s go-to breakfast and coffee spot on Main Street.
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Benson parks offer play areas and stage space for singing
Centrally located, Dr. PK Vyas MD Community Park is the town’s main park that features a playground, basketball courts, athletic fields and a running track. “Nearby, Benson Singing Grove has a stage where they do summer concerts, and behind the stage is a playground,” Podgradski says. The stage also hosts the State Annual Singing Convention, which brings thousands of people to Benson to listen to one of the oldest and largest gospel choir sings in the country. A couple of blocks away, Benson Community Swimming Pool offers a family-friendly way to cool off in the summer for a membership fee. East of town near the interstate, Benson Dog Park has fenced-in areas for small and large breeds.
Locals can catch a live music performance at Benson Singing Grove in the Summer.
Benson residents enjoy an active lifestyle at Dr. PK Vyas MD Community Park
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Students attend Johnston County public schools, including South HS
Johnston County Schools, graded a B-plus by Niche, serves students living in Benson. They can begin at Benson Elementary School, which receives a B, before progressing to Benson Middle School, which holds a B-minus. South Johnston High School, locally referred to as just South, receives a C-plus. South’s building was completed in 1969 to integrate the area’s former all-white and all-black public high schools.
Benson students start out at Benson Elementary School.
Benson Middle School has a B-minus rating on Niche.
Benson teens can attend South Johnston High School which is home of the Trojans.
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Commuters use the I-95 and I-40 junction as a pit stop
U.S. Route 301 cuts north-to-south through Benson, running parallel to Interstate 95. The interstate makes Fayetteville a 30-mile commute south. Just east of town, Interstate 95 meets Interstate 40, which can lead residents to Raleigh about 30 miles north. This interchange makes for a popular pit stop. “Benson gets a lot of people driving from New York to Florida,” Podgradski says. “It’s a good pull-off halfway.” According to data reported to FBI Crime Data Explorer, Benson has a slightly higher crime rate than the state and national averages.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
Photography Contributed By
Dan Mack
Video By
Chris Norton
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Stephanie Anson,
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On average, homes in Benson, NC sell after 90 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Benson, NC over the last 12 months is $365,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Welcome to your own private homestead on 7.02 unrestricted acres in Benson! This exceptional property offers the perfect blend of modern comfort, functional farm amenities, and natural beauty. Whether you're looking for a hobby farm, mini farm, or peaceful country retreat, this property is ready to make your dreams a reality. The land has been lovingly maintained as a working homestead,
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The Davidson is a two-story, five-bedroom, three-bath home with a side load garage, formal living room, formal dining room, spacious family room, kitchen with island and pantry, separate breakfast area, and first-floor guest suite with a full bath. The second floor features four bedrooms, including the primary suite, a hall bath, a large laundry room, and a loft area. Options available to
The Appalachian floorplan has a modern style and is thoughtfully designed with lots of open, connected and inviting space. The Great Room, dining room and kitchen with breakfast bar offers a versatile place for entertaining, or simply enjoying daily meals. The owners suite features a large walk-in closet and private bath. Upstairs, you will find a loft with additional bedroom and full bath.
The Bradley packs a lot of living space into a popular ranch layout, including an open living area with access to a covered patio for effortless indoor/outdoor entertaining and a private owner's suite separated from two secondary bedrooms. The optional extended family room expands living space downstairs, and an optional second-floor addition (included in some locations) expands living space
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SPLIT THE PAYMENT! Reserve your new home by paying 50% of your security deposit now, with the remaining balance due before move-in.Welcome to 523 Rockvale Ct, a delightful 3-bedroom, 2-bath residence that provides 1,321 square feet of cozy living space. Step onto the welcoming front porch and into a snug living room featuring a fireplace. The well-appointed kitchen includes plenty of
Modern Elegance in Benson: Pet-Friendly Townhome with One car garage and Serene Outdoor Spaces! Step into a realm of contemporary allure with this newly constructed 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom townhome nestled in the heart of Benson, NC. Designed to harmonize style and comfort, this pet-friendly abode boasts a convenient one-car garage and a thoughtfully crafted privacy fence enclosing the covered
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END UNIT and NEW CONSTRUCTION IN THE HEART OF BENSON NC! Pet friendly! Embrace the beauty of these new construction townhomes featuring elegance and comfort! This stunning 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom townhome, a masterpiece seamlessly blends luxury with convenience. Enter into a home of refined living as you are greeted by an expansive kitchen featuring a grand island and breakfast bar--a culinary
Beautiful and a must see! This gorgeous brick ranch boasts 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths under a sturdy metal roof, offering a blend of durability and charm. Step inside to discover an inviting open floor plan adorned with granite countertops in the kitchen, perfect for culinary creations and casual dining alike. The oversized master bedroom is a sanctuary with not one but two closets, ensuring
Welcome to this charming 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom townhouse located in Benson, NC. This thoughtfully designed residence offers comfortable living spaces with a single-car garage for convenient parking and storage. This property provides exceptional outdoor space and privacy that's rarely found. The townhouse layout maximizes functionality across multiple levels, making it an excellent choice for
Modern Elegance in Benson: Pet-Friendly Townhome with One car garage and Serene Outdoor Spaces!Step into a realm of contemporary allure with this newly constructed 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom townhome nestled in the heart of Benson, NC. Designed to harmonize style and comfort, this pet-friendly abode boasts a convenient one-car garage and a thoughtfully crafted privacy fence enclosing the
END UNIT and NEW CONSTRUCTION IN THE HEART OF BENSON NC! Pet friendly! Embrace the beauty of these new construction townhomes featuring elegance and comfort! This stunning 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom townhome, a masterpiece seamlessly blends luxury with convenience. Enter into a home of refined living as you are greeted by an expansive kitchen featuring a grand island and breakfast bar—a culinary
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