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Benton County

Table of goal data by year
Year 100/20 Mbps 1 Gbps
2025 #19 – 97.54% #60 – 43.49%
2024 #16 – 97.95%
2023 #20 – 94.14%
2022 #25 – 89.94%
2021 #24 – 90.25%
2020 #21 – 89.36%
2019 #21 – 88.18%
2018 #75 – 25.83%
2017 #74 – 14.28%
Coverage map graphic

Red dots represent unserved locations.

Benton County: so close after steady progress for years

Benton County’s coverage dipped a little in the next year but it seem that it’s within a margin of error. They haven’t benefited from State Grants or Line Extension awards in the last couple years.

At the time of writing, the MN BEAD final proposal has not been approved, but the current proposal would mean coverage for 361 locations in Anoka County. However, the majority of locations will get a satellite, which does not qualify as served in the MN statute.

There have been changes with local and national broadband providers, which also leads to uncertainty.

Benton County gets a green ranking because they are so close to the goal, but it feels as if they could use a burst of renewed engagement.

Household Density

31.8

Number of Providers

16

As of 2025 · Source: MN DEED

Households with Device Access

A Device 89.3% 95.5%
statewide
Desktop or Laptop 76.8% 83.2%
statewide
Smartphone 74.8% 90.1%
statewide
Tablet 54.2% 65.8%
statewide
Other 3.6% 2.3%
statewide

Has Worked with Blandin Foundation

Yes

Has Received MN Grant(s)

Yes

2014 – CenturyLink Foley, Benton County–Balkan Township – Award: $382,883.

2017 – Benton Cooperative Telephone Company – Rice Ramey – GRANT $765,015

2017 – Palmer Wireless – Duelm Hwy 95 – GRANT $162,814

2020 – Benton Cooperative Telephone Company – Ramey Phase I – GRANT $936,759

Benton Cooperative Telephone Company – Ramey Phase 2 Project – GRANT $338,011

2023 – Cooperative Telephone – Benton County South of Trunk Highway 23 – GRANT $2,988,275

Government Districts

U.S. Congress: CD 6

MN Senate: 10, 13, 14

MN House: 10B, 13B, 14B

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