Benson serves as the western gateway to the scenic and historic attractions of Cochise County and has copyrighted the name “Home of Kartchner Caverns State Park.” Located in the historical San Pedro Valley, it offers proximity to both Tucson and Sierra Vista. Its rugged mountains, grassy valleys, moderate climate and proximity to many historical sites makes it a popular tourist attraction. The City of Benson was founded in 1880, when the Southern Pacific Railroad came through southern Arizona. Until 1910, Benson was the railroad hub of southern Arizona. It was named for Judge William B. Benson of California, a friend of Charles Crocker, then-president of the railroad.
Benson is situated along several trade routes: Interstate 10, U.S. 80, State Highway 90 and the main line of the Union Pacific Railroad. AEPCO and Apache Nitrogen Products are major employers, while many residents work in Tucson or Sierra Vista. Both retail chain and specialty stores are available. The city supports a large retired population and is a winter refuge for people from colder climates. Its nearby historic and scenic sites are increasingly popular with tourists.
Cochise County, land of the great Apache chiefs Cochise and Geronimo, was truly “the last frontier,” subject to raids by the Chiricahua Apaches until the late 1880s. Nearby are the world famous Kartchner Caverns State Park and Old Tucson's Mescal movie site. Other attractions include: Tombstone, 20 miles from Benson; Gammon's Gulch Movie Set & Museum; historic Fort Huachuca, with its 1880s buildings and an Indian war days museum; the Amerind Museum which features remnants of prehistoric Indian cultures; and the Holy Trinity Monastery along the San Pedro Riparian Area. In addition, there are numerous mountain ranges that provide rockhounding, photography, picnicking, hiking, camping, bird watching and hunting opportunities.
Benson offers a broad range of community facilities including four parks, one golf course, a community pool, a skate park, a library, a community center and many baseball, football, track and soccer fields. There is also a museum/gallery.
| Founded | 1880 | Incorporated | 1924 |
| Elevation | 3,585 ft. | Location | Cochise County |
| Phoenix | 160 miles | San Diego | 454 miles |
| Tucson | 46 miles | Los Angeles | 532 miles |
| Las Vegas | 453 miles |
| 2000 | 2010 | 2023 (est.) | |
| Benson | 4,711 | 5,098 | 5,365 |
| Cochise County | 117,755 | 131,436 | 126,463 |
| State of Arizona | 5,130,632 | 6,401,569 | 7,285,370 |
Office of Economic Opportunity
Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation
| Benson | 3.50% |
| Cochise County | 0.50% |
| State | 5.60% |
Arizona Dept. of Revenue & Arizona Tax Research Foundation
| 2000 | 2010 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian Labor Force | 2,008 | 1,900 | 1,982 |
| Unemployed | 163 | 209 | 59 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 11.0% | 3.0% |
Office of Economic Opportunity
| Count | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Less than high school | 381 | 10.4% |
| High school or equivalent, no college | 1,120 | 30.6% |
| Some college or Associate degree | 1,209 | 33.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree | 946 | 25.9% |
American Community Survey
| Count | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Education, health care & social assistance | 446 | 24.5% |
| Retail trade | 360 | 19.8% |
| Transportation, warehousing, & utilities | 298 | 16.4% |
| Arts, entertainment, food & recreation services | 196 | 10.8% |
| Finance, insurance & real estate | 126 | 6.9% |
| Professional, scientific, & administrative services | 126 | 6.9% |
| Public administration | 106 | 5.8% |
| Manufacturing | 85 | 4.7% |
| Construction | 41 | 2.3% |
| Other services, except public administration | 38 | 2.1% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, & mining | 0 | 0.0% |
| Information | 0 | 0.0% |
| Wholesale trade | 0 | 0.0% |
American Community Survey
This profile was prepared by the Arizona Commerce Authority in cooperation with local sources. For further information, please contact: