Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
A town of 177, settled in 1880.
Benson’s median age is 49.9 years, above both Pennsylvania’s towns (43.2 years) and U.S. towns (40.5 years). Benson has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Census counts: 249 in 1900, a peak of 451 in 1930, 187 in 2020. The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2015 and 4 maps from 1914 on.
Who provides power, water and the rest in Benson, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
Ordered by what stands out in Benson.
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 95% of U.S. communities. Since 1984, 7 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Benson.
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Benson’s average trip to work is 30 minutes, above both the Pennsylvania town median (26 minutes) and the median of U.S. towns (25 minutes). 5.1% of residents live below the poverty line in Benson. The top destinations are Richland Township (16%), Conemaugh Township (13%) and Johnstown (12%).
| Benson | Pennsylvania towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 30 minutes | 26 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 5.1% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Median household income | $68,000 | $81,000 | $80,000 |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Benson has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. The July high in Benson is 82°F.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Benson tracks Pennsylvania closely on all 26 CDC measures. 19% of Benson adults binge drink.
| Benson | Pennsylvania towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 18% | 16% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 32% | 34% | 35% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 35% | 38% | 36% |
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 23% | 24% | 25% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Benson. Close and well known come first.
Big draw8 mi National MemorialFlight 93 National Memorial286K visitors a year
Big draw35 mi MuseumFallingwater
13 mi DamSouth Fork Dam
32 mi MountainMount Davis
11 mi National Historic SiteAllegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site163K visitors a year19 mi Theme parkIdlewild and Soak ZoneFlight 93 National Memorial: James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Fallingwater: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain · South Fork Dam: Ernest Walter Histed, Public domain · Mount Davis: Wikiuser100, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site: Matthew A. Lynn; Original uploader was Mosamiazaz at en.wikipedia, Public domain
3 within 15 miles of the center of Benson
About 1 of every 100 Benson residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Pennsylvania.
Where Benson’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
Borough in Pennsylvania, US
Benson is a borough in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. The town is more commonly known to locals as Hollsopple, which is also the United States Postal Service name for the town, zip code 15935. The population was 185 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. Benson is served by the Conemaugh Township Area School District. The community was named after one Charles Hollsopple, the original owner of the town site.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Benson has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
