Our Community

Benson, NC sits at the convergence of Interstates 40 and 95 in central North Carolina. Raleigh, the historic capital city of NC, as well as Fayetteville and the renowned Research Triangle Park, are all within a one-hour drive. The country’s largest military installation, Fort Bragg, is in Fayetteville. The beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains are also nearby.

The Johnston County region abounds with cultural and recreational activities suitable for the whole family. Popular destinations include Atkinsons Mill, Benson Museum of Local History, Clemmons Educational State Forest, Johnston County Heritage Center and the Tobacco Farm Life Museum. Another interesting site is the Bentonville Battleground State Historic Site, which was the locale of the 1865 Civil War battle. In addition, the Ava Gardner Museum honors the life and works of one-time resident of the area, Ava Gardner.

Several community celebrations such as Fall Fest and Mule Days bring residents and visitors together annually. Benson Mule Days remains the largest celebration in Johnston County and the oldest in NC. The Mule Days celebration kicks off on the 4th Saturday in September with a lively concert at the Benson Singing Grove in downtown Benson, NC. The weekend festivities include arts and crafts, bluegrass shows, carnival rides, a mule pulling contest, a parade and rodeos. Mule Days attracts more than 50,000 people to its family friendly activities each year.

Benson, North Carolina features a temperate climate and rich soil - the ideal atmosphere for a thriving agricultural industry. Benson and the Johnston County area serve as a significant source of cattle, corn, cucumbers, hogs, poultry, soybeans and sweet potatoes. More than twenty percent of Johnston County’s workforce concentrates in the manufacturing sector. Local manufacturing companies providing employment opportunities include Caterpillar, Eaton Corporation and Novo Nordisk. Many residents also find addition sources of work by commuting to surrounding areas such as Wake County.

Johnston Community College is the only higher learning facility within the county. Johnston Community College, located on a 100-acre campus in Smithfield, affords residents access to associate degree programs and other specialty training courses. Wake County also serves as an important resource for higher education. Wake County is home to North Carolina State University (NCSU), Peace College and Shaw University. The Piedmont Triad Region, as a whole, is home to more than 50 post-secondary institutions. Fifteen percent of Benson, NC residents over the age of 25 earned a bachelor's or advanced college degree.

Benson, North Carolina features a close-knit community with a low rate of crime and an affordable cost of living. This unassuming town affords a slower paced lifestyle with the amenities of Fayetteville, Raleigh and the Research Triangle Park just an hour away. Its delightful scenic backdrop and temperate climate poise Benson as an ideal vacation destination and an enviable place to call home.