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Bena, Minnesota

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Population in 2022: 149 (0% urban, 100% rural).
Population change since 2000: +35.5%
 
Males: 65  (43.8%)
Females: 84  (56.2%)
Median resident age:

18.5 years
Minnesota median age:

39.0 years

Zip code: 56626

Estimated median household income in 2022: $41,504 (it was $11,563 in 2000)
Bena:

$41,504
MN:

$82,338

Estimated per capita income in 2022: $10,076 (it was $7,619 in 2000)

Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $79,528 (it was $30,600 in 2000)
Bena:

$79,528
MN:

$314,600

Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: $92,721; detached houses: $105,193; mobile homes: $66,792

Median gross rent in 2022: $643.

March 2022 cost of living index in Bena: 85.0 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2022: 62.3%
(7.7% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 88.8% for American Indian residents)

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  • Races in Bena, MN (2022)
    • 9464.4%American Indian alone
    • 2517.1%White alone
    • 2416.4%Two or more races
    • 21.4%Asian alone
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Latest news from Bena, MN collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: American (5.7%), French (5.7%), Norwegian (5.7%), Polish (5.7%), Swedish (5.7%).

Current Local Time: CST time zone

Elevation: 1310 feet

Land area: 0.50 square miles.

Population density: 295 people per square mile   (very low).

Bena, Minnesota map

2 residents are foreign born

This city:

1.4%
Minnesota:

8.5%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000:
Bena city:

0.7% ($209)
Minnesota:

1.1% ($1,297)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Duluth, MN (105.9 miles , pop. 86,918).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Minneapolis, MN (170.4 miles , pop. 382,618).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Chicago, IL (497.8 miles , pop. 2,896,016).

Nearest cities:

Federal Dam, MN (2.6 miles),
Boy River, MN (3.6 miles),
Ball Club, MN (3.6 miles ),
Inger, MN (4.2 miles ),
Cass Lake, MN (4.3 miles ),
Zemple, MN (4.4 miles),
Deer River, MN (4.4 miles ),
Squaw Lake, MN (4.5 miles)

Latitude: 47.34 N, Longitude: 94.21 W

Area code: 218

Distribution of median household income in Bena, MN in 2022
Distribution of house value in Bena, MN in 2022

Bena satellite photo by USGS

Unemployment in December 2023:
Here:

5.2%
Minnesota:

2.6%

Average climate in Bena, Minnesota

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Bena, Minnesota average temperatures Bena, Minnesota average precipitation Bena, Minnesota humidity Bena, Minnesota wind speed Bena, Minnesota snowfall Bena, Minnesota sunshine Bena, Minnesota clear and cloudy days
Air pollution and air quality trends
(lower is better)
AQI PM2.5 Pb
Air Quality Index

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2022 was 48.3. This is significantly better than average.

City:

48.3
U.S.:

72.6
Particulate Matter Level

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) [µg/m3] level in 2022 was 5.93. This is better than average. Closest monitor was 12.8 miles away from the city center.

City:

5.93
U.S.:

8.11
Lead Level

Tornado activity:

Bena-area historical tornado activity is significantly below Minnesota state average. It is 66% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 8/6/1969, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 38.8 miles away from the Bena city center killed 12 people and injured 70 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.

On 6/11/1966, a category F4 tornado 49.8 miles away from the city center caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Bena-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Minnesota state average. It is 50% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 7/9/1975 at 14:54:15, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 144.9 miles away from the city center
On 6/5/1993 at 01:24:53, a magnitude 4.1 (4.1 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 152.1 miles away from the city center
On 2/7/2020 at 18:30:28, a magnitude 3.3 (3.3 ML, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 70.0 miles away from the city center
On 1/9/2020 at 18:16:48, a magnitude 3.3 (3.3 MB) earthquake occurred 72.9 miles away from the city center
On 5/14/2019 at 17:00:01, a magnitude 3.2 (3.2 MB) earthquake occurred 53.7 miles away from Bena center
On 4/8/2020 at 17:14:33, a magnitude 3.3 (3.3 ML) earthquake occurred 74.8 miles away from Bena center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Cass County (10) is smaller than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 6
Emergencies Declared: 2

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 7, Storms: 5, Winds: 3, Tornadoes: 2, Drought: 1, Hurricane: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Bena topographic map

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Bena:

  • Bemidji State University (about 33 miles; Bemidji, MN; Full-time enrollment: 4,316)
  • Central Lakes College-Brainerd (about 69 miles; Brainerd, MN; FT enrollment: 3,371)
  • Lake Superior College (about 105 miles; Duluth, MN; FT enrollment: 3,768)
  • The College of Saint Scholastica (about 106 miles; Duluth, MN; FT enrollment: 3,762)
  • Northland Community and Technical College (about 106 miles; Thief River Falls, MN; FT enrollment: 2,717)
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth (about 107 miles; Duluth, MN; FT enrollment: 10,612)
  • University of Wisconsin-Superior (about 109 miles; Superior, WI; FT enrollment: 2,302)

Public high school in Bena:

See full list of schools located in Bena

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear city borders

Notable location: Bena City Hall (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Church in Bena: Bena Alliance Church (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Cass County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential
Average household size:
This city:

2.7 people
Minnesota:

2.5 people

Percentage of family households:
This city:

55.8%
Whole state:

64.6%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This city:

14.0%
Whole state:

6.9%


Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
  • Lesbian couples: 2.3% of all households
  • Gay men: 0.0% of all households

For population 15 years and over in Bena:

Marital status in Bena, MN
  • Never married: 65.4%
  • Now married: 23.7%
  • Separated: 0.0%
  • Widowed: 4.5%
  • Divorced: 6.4%

For population 25 years and over in Bena:

  • High school or higher: 67.6%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 8.8%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 2.9%
  • Unemployed: 11.8%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 54.6 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2022
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2022
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

8.4
Minnesota average:

10.9

Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Bena, MN (based on Cass County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Mainline Protestant4,80719
Evangelical Protestant3,01726
Catholic2,8208
Other13-
None17,910-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 12
Here:

4.19 / 10,000 pop.
Minnesota:

1.83 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 3
This county:

1.05 / 10,000 pop.
Minnesota:

0.49 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 21
Cass County:

7.33 / 10,000 pop.
Minnesota:

3.90 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 40
This county:

13.97 / 10,000 pop.
Minnesota:

6.98 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
This county:

7.8%
Minnesota:

6.5%
Adult obesity rate:
Cass County:

27.9%
Minnesota:

25.9%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
This county:

15.7%
Minnesota:

13.0%

Health and Nutrition:

Healthy diet rate:
Here:

46.9%
Minnesota:

50.6%

Average overall health of teeth and gums:
Bena:

44.4%
Minnesota:

48.4%

Average BMI:
This city:

29.9
Minnesota:

28.5

People feeling badly about themselves:
Bena:

19.7%
State:

21.0%

People not drinking alcohol at all:
Bena:

13.8%
Minnesota:

9.8%

Average hours sleeping at night:
This city:

6.6
Minnesota:

6.8

Overweight people:
Bena:

40.1%
Minnesota:

33.5%

General health condition:
This city:

51.8%
Minnesota:

57.7%

Average condition of hearing:
Here:

78.2%
Minnesota:

79.3%

More about Health and Nutrition of Bena, MN Residents
Local government employment and payroll (March 2022)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Streets and Highways 1$1,869$22,4280$0
Other Government Administration 0$0 1$4,810
Water Supply 0$0 1$395
Totals for Government 1$1,869$22,4282$5,205

Bena government finances - Expenditure in 2017 (per resident):

  • Current Operations - General - Other: $33,000 ($221.48)
    Local Fire Protection: $13,000 ($87.25)
    Parks and Recreation: $8,000 ($53.69)
    Miscellaneous Commercial Activities - Other: $7,000 ($46.98)
    Financial Administration: $7,000 ($46.98)
    Regular Highways: $7,000 ($46.98)
    Central Staff Services: $5,000 ($33.56)
    Solid Waste Management: $1,000 ($6.71)
  • Other Capital Outlay - Parks and Recreation: $5,000 ($33.56)
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $15,000 ($100.67)

Bena government finances - Revenue in 2017 (per resident):

  • Charges - Other: $10,000 ($67.11)
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $7,000 ($46.98)
  • State Intergovernmental - General Local Government Support: $30,000 ($201.34)
  • Tax - Property: $9,000 ($60.40)
    Other License: $3,000 ($20.13)

Strongest AM radio stations in Bena:

  • KPRM (870 AM; 25 kW; PARK RAPIDS, MN; Owner: DE LA HUNT BROADCASTING CORP.)
  • WEBC (560 AM; 50 kW; DULUTH, MN)
  • WNMT (650 AM; 10 kW; NASHWAUK, MN; Owner: MIDWEST RADIO NETWORK, L.L.C.)
  • KKBJ (1360 AM; 5 kW; BEMIDJI, MN; Owner: R.P. BROADCASTING)
  • KOZY (1320 AM; 5 kW; GRAND RAPIDS, MN; Owner: ITASCA BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WCCO (830 AM; 50 kW; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: INFINITY MEDIA CORPORATION)
  • WWNL (1080 AM; 50 kW; PITTSBURGH, PA; Owner: STEEL CITY RADIO, INC.)
  • WCTS (1030 AM; 50 kW; MAPLEWOOD, MN; Owner: CNTL. BAPT. THEO/AL SEMI MINNEAPOLIS)
  • KFAN (1130 AM; 50 kW; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.)
  • KSTP (1500 AM; 50 kW; ST. PAUL, MN; Owner: KSTP-AM, LLC (DELAWARE))
  • WDSM (710 AM; 10 kW; SUPERIOR, WI; Owner: MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WWJC (850 AM; daytime; 10 kW; DULUTH, MN; Owner: WWJC, INC.)
  • KAKK (1570 AM; 1 kW; WALKER, MN)

Strongest FM radio stations in Bena:

  • KCRB-FM (88.5 FM; BEMIDJI, MN; Owner: MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO)
  • KNBJ (91.3 FM; BEMIDJI, MN; Owner: MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO)
  • KBLB (93.3 FM; NISSWA, MN; Owner: BL BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • KQKK (101.9 FM; WALKER, MN; Owner: CAROL J. DELAHUNT)
  • KLLZ-FM (99.1 FM; WALKER, MN; Owner: BG BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • KKZY (95.5 FM; BEMIDJI, MN; Owner: BG BROADCASTING INC.)
  • KBHP (101.1 FM; BEMIDJI, MN; Owner: PAUL BUNYAN BROADCASTING CO.)

TV broadcast stations around Bena:

  • KAWE (Channel 9; BEMIDJI, MN; Owner: NORTHERN MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION, INC.)
  • KCCW-TV (Channel 12; WALKER, MN; Owner: CBS BROADCASTING INC.)
  • K61BH (Channel 61; DEER RIVER, MN; Owner: KBJR LICENSE, INC.)
  • K59BQ (Channel 59; DEER RIVER, MN; Owner: CHELSEY BROADCASTING COMPANY OF DULUTH, LLC)
  • K65DT (Channel 65; WALKER, MN; Owner: LEECH LAKE TV CORPORATION)
  • K67BZ (Channel 67; WALKER, MN; Owner: LEECH LAKE TV CORP.)
  • K69CP (Channel 69; WALKER, MN; Owner: LEECH LAKE TV CORP.)
  • K49CU (Channel 49; WALKER, MN; Owner: FOX TELEVISION STATIONS, INC.)

Bena fatal accident list:

Feb 9, 2005 10:30 AM, Us-2, 8, Lat: 47.345260, Lon: -94.208820, Vehicles: 2, Persons: 2, Fatalities: 1
Jan 28, 2000 05:46 PM, Us-2, Vehicles: 2, Persons: 2, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1
Sep 4, 1993 00:30 AM, 2, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 6, Pedestrians: 1, Fatalities: 1

FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers:

2 (See the full list of FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers in Bena)

FCC Registered Antenna Towers:

21 (See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers)

FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers:

1
  • 15353 Silver Eagle Dr (Lat: 47.358056 Lon: -94.284444), Call Sign: WQET645,
    Assigned Frequencies: 462.250 MHz, 461.375 MHz, 462.300 MHz, 462.375 MHz, Grant Date: 03/25/2016, Expiration Date: 04/11/2026, Certifier: Carol Aenne, Registrant: Roger\'s Two Way Radio, 102 Lincoln Avenue Se, Bemidji, MN 56601, Phone: (218) 751-3077, Email:


FCC Registered Microwave Towers:

6
  • Bena, 802 County Road 8 (Lat: 47.334333 Lon: -94.212139), Type: Tower, Structure height: 152.4 m, Call Sign: WQNQ270,
    Assigned Frequencies: 6545.62 MHz, Grant Date: 02/04/2021, Expiration Date: 04/15/2031, Certifier: Thomas E Walsh, Registrant: Minnesota Dept Of Transportation, 395 John Ireland Blvd Ms730, St Paul, MN 55155, Phone: (651) 234-7961, Fax: (651) 234-7960, Email:

  • Bena 3, Lat: 47.334333 Lon: -94.212139, Type: Gtower, Structure height: 152.4 m, Call Sign: WQRZ542, Licensee ID: L01760649,
    Assigned Frequencies: 3650.00 MHz, Grant Date: 08/20/2013, Expiration Date: 08/20/2023, Cancellation Date: 09/05/2023, Certifier: Carri Jones Ms., Registrant: Leech Lake Telecommunications Company, LLC

  • Bena 2, Lat: 47.334333 Lon: -94.212139, Type: Gtower, Structure height: 152.4 m, Call Sign: WQRZ542, Licensee ID: L01760649,
    Assigned Frequencies: 3650.00 MHz, Grant Date: 08/20/2013, Expiration Date: 08/20/2023, Cancellation Date: 09/05/2023, Certifier: Carri Jones Ms., Registrant: Leech Lake Telecommunications Company, LLC

  • Bena 1, Lat: 47.334333 Lon: -94.212139, Type: Gtower, Structure height: 152.4 m, Call Sign: WQRZ542, Licensee ID: L01760649,
    Assigned Frequencies: 3650.00 MHz, Grant Date: 08/20/2013, Expiration Date: 08/20/2023, Cancellation Date: 09/05/2023, Certifier: Carri Jones Ms., Registrant: Leech Lake Telecommunications Company, LLC

  • BENA, 802 County Road 8 (Lat: 47.334333 Lon: -94.212139), Type: Gtower, Structure height: 152.4 m, Call Sign: WQUU284,
    Assigned Frequencies: 6315.84 MHz, Grant Date: 10/14/2014, Expiration Date: 10/14/2024, Certifier: Sally Fineday, Registrant: Pcs Technologies, Inc., 30 W Water St, St. Paul, MN 55107, Phone: (651) 222-5881, Email:

  • BENA, .5 Mi S Of (Lat: 47.333556 Lon: -94.209944), Overall height: 128 m, Call Sign: WLC250,
    Assigned Frequencies: 6226.89 MHz, 6226.89 MHz, 6345.49 MHz, 6286.19 MHz, 6286.19 MHz, 6345.49 MHz, 6404.79 MHz, 6404.79 MHz, 6004.50 MHz, 5945.20 MHz, 6063.60 MHz, Grant Date: 01/25/2011, Expiration Date: 02/01/2021, Cancellation Date: 10/19/2011, Certifier: David A Christman, Registrant: Bryan Cave LLP, 700 13th Street Nw, Washington, DC 20005, Phone: (202) 508-6041, Fax: (202) 508-6200, Email:


FCC Registered Paging Towers:

1
  • 1.28 Km S Of Us-2 & 0.8 South Of (Lat: 47.344111 Lon: -94.216611), Overall height: 128.3 m, Call Sign: KNKK647,
    Assigned Frequencies: 158.100 MHz, Grant Date: 08/17/1998, Expiration Date: 07/01/2008, Cancellation Date: 01/22/2008, Certifier: Elizabeth L Kohler, Registrant: Lukas, Nace, Gutierrez & Sachs, Chtd., 1650 Tysons Blvd., Suite 1500, Mclean, VA 22102, Phone: (703) 584-8661, Email:


FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses:

2
  • Call Sign: KC0MB, Grant Date: 09/25/1996, Expiration Date: 09/25/2006, Cancellation Date: 09/26/2008, Registrant: George J Wosika, Star Route Box 154, Bena, MN 56626

  • Call Sign: N0MZI, Previous Call Sign: KB0IAF, Licensee ID: L00308723, Grant Date: 12/02/2020, Expiration Date: 02/12/2031, Registrant: Joe W Druga, 987 River Dr Nw, Bena, MN 56626


Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Bena, MN
  • 66.7%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 23.8%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
  • 9.5%Wood
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Bena, MN
  • 84.6%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 15.4%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.


Bena compared to Minnesota state average:

  • Median household income below state average.
  • Median house value significantly below state average.
  • Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Median age significantly below state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
  • Number of rooms per house below state average.
  • Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly below state average.
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