Benton County, Minnesota

Benton County, Minnesota
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Coordinates: 45°42′N 94°00′W / 45.7°N 94°W / 45.7; -94
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedOctober 27, 1849 (created)
1850 (organized)
Named afterThomas Hart Benton
SeatFoley
Largest citySauk Rapids
Area
 • Total
413 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Land408 sq mi (1,060 km2)
 • Water4.8 sq mi (12 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
41,379
 • Estimate 
(2024)
41,881
 • Density97.9/sq mi (37.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.co.benton.mn.us

Benton County is a county in the East Central part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 41,379. Its county seat is Foley.

Benton County is part of the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Combined Statistical Area.