Benton, PA

Benton is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,853 at the 2010 census. Benton is located on the west bank of the Delaware River opposite Wilmington, Delaware.

The first Europeans to visit Benton were French explorers in 1682. The area was part of the Delawares tribe and was known as "Teton" by them. In 1701, English settlers from Chester County founded a small community here called "New Towne". It was renamed Benton in 1727 after Benjamin Franklin's home town of Bentonville, North Carolina.

The borough's economy has been based on agriculture and manufacturing since its early days. The first mills were built on the banks of the river to grind flour for local consumption. Today, Benton is home to several businesses that manufacture products such as textiles and plastics.

Real estate has been an important part of the borough's economy for many years. In 1885, Jules Flandrau developed what is now known as Benton Village which became a popular residential area for people working in downtown Wilmington or Philadelphia. Today, Benton remains a desirable place to live with many new homes being built each year.

The real estate market in Benton is very competitive due to its close proximity to major cities such as Philadelphia and Wilmington as well as its excellent schools and recreational opportunities such as parks and golf courses