Benton County
| Year | Rank | 100/20 Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | #20 of 87 | 94.14% |
| 2022 | #25 of 87 | 89.94% |
| 2021 | #24 of 87 | 90.25% |
| 2020 | #21 of 87 | 89.36% |
| 2019 | #21 of 87 | 88.18% |
| 2018 | #75 of 87 | 25.83% |
| 2017 | #74 of 87 | 14.28% |
Benton County: Getting Traction Toward Goal Again
Benton County ranks 20 for broadband, up from 25 last year. They have hovered around 89 percent coverage to broadband of 100 Mbps down and 20 up since 2019. They have 769 households without access to broadband at that speed. Estimates indicate that it will cost $7 million get to ubiquitous broadband in the county.
Benton County seems to be getting traction again. They have comfortably edged over 90 percent coverage. In 2023, Cooperative Telephone got almost $3 million to build to 836 households, businesses, farms, and community institutions in Glendorado Township and portions of Gilmanton, Maywood, Minden, and Saint George Townships.
Benton County gets a green ranking because they are so close to the goal and seem to have built momentum to getting it done.
Household Density
31.8
Number of Providers
19
As of 2023 · Source: MN DEED
Households with Device Access
statewide
statewide
statewide
statewide
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