Benton Township, Adair County, Missouri

Benton Township, Missouri
Township
Coordinates: 40°11′41″N 092°34′49″W / 40.19472°N 92.58028°W / 40.19472; -92.58028
CountryUnited States
StateMissouri
CountyAdair
Area
 • Total
80.3 sq mi (207.9 km2)
 • Land79.2 sq mi (205.2 km2)
 • Water1.0 sq mi (2.6 km2)  1.27%
Elevation
[1]
984 ft (300 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total
19,700
 • Density249/sq mi (96.0/km2)
FIPS code29-04546[2]
GNIS feature ID0766210

Benton Township is one of ten townships in Adair County, Missouri, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 19,700.[3] It is named for Thomas Hart Benton, one of the inaugural pair of U.S. senators from Missouri.[4]

Geography

Benton Township covers an area of 80.26 square miles (207.9 km2) and contains one incorporated settlement, Kirksville (the county seat). It is home to twelve cemeteries: Bear Creek, Cater, Collett, Forest-Llewellyn, Highland Park, Maple Hills, Oak Grove, Ownbey, Park View Memorial Gardens, Prough, Sloans Point and Waddill.

The streams of Billy Creek, Dave Branch, Gill Branch and Willis Branch run through the township.

Transportation

Benton Township contains a heliport for medical ambulance Air Evac Lifeteam, and another heliport is located at Northeast Regional Medical Center. Major highways in Benton Township include U.S. Highway 63, Missouri Highway 6, and Missouri Highway 11.

Education

Benton Township contains A.T. Still University, Truman State University, and the Kirksville campus of Moberly Area Community College. Primary and secondary education is provided by Kirksville R-3 School District for the majority of Benton Township residents. However, a number in the western area attend Adair County R-1 in Novinger.

References

  1. ^ "U.S. Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  2. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Benton township, Adair County, Missouri". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  4. ^ Violette, E. M. (1911). History of Adair County. The Denslow History Company. pp. 39.