Total Population
120,213
Population
Growth Rate
0.18%
Median Age
36
Diversity Index
34.700
Blue Earth-Nicollet Cooperative Electric Association (BENCO) was founded on May 11, 1936. The first recorded meeting took place on June 12, 1937, at Mankato City Hall. The first pole on the BENCO system was set on June 27, 1938, in Traverse Township, Nicollet County. The line was energized on September 16, 1938. Faribault County Cooperative Electric Association was founded in 1936.
These two cooperatives consolidated into Blue Earth-Nicollet-Faribault Cooperative Electric Association (Frost-BENCO Electric) on January 1, 1980. Wells Electric Cooperative was founded in July 1935. Frost-BENCO and Wells Electric cooperative merged in January 1, 1988 and become Frost-BENCO-Wells Electric. In 1998, Frost-BENCO-Wells Electric became a Touchstone Energy® partner and began doing business as BENCO Electric.
Households
47,301
Owner Occupied
32,865
Renter Occupied
14,436
Vacant
3,758
Median Household
$70,223 $79,350
Average Household
$94,765 $108,086
Per Capita
$37,596 $43,181
Total Businesses
4,991
Total Employed
70,794
Workers 16+
63,655
2023 HealthCare / Social Assistance
Businesses
509
Employed
11,411
2023 Retail Trade Businesses
Businesses
615
Employed
9,723
2023 Manufacturing Businesses
Businesses
199
Employed
8,687
2023 Educational Services - Businesses
Businesses
150
Employed
8,598
2023 Accommodation / Food Service
Businesses
288
Employed
5,608
2023 Food Service / Drinking Est.
Businesses
243
Employed
4,578
Average Commute Time
0 min.
Resident Commuters
42,531
Non-Resident Commuters
20,792
Drive Alone
49,065
Carpooled
4,737
Public
693
Work At Home
6,213