Total Population
121,773
Population
Growth Rate
0.72%
Median Age
35
Diversity Index
27.600
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
47,715
Total Housing Units
51,315
Owner Occupied
32,613
Renter Occupied
15,102
Vacant
3,600
Median Home Value
$218,507
Average Home Value
$247,146
Income
Growth Rate
Median
Household Income
0.86%
Per Capita Income
2.22%
Median Household
$61,731 $68,189
Average Household
$76,669 $85,315
Per Capita
$30,245 $33,754
Total Businesses
4,878
Total Employed
68,833
Workers 16+
62,922
2021 HealthCare/Social Assist
Businesses
479
Employed
11,208
2021 Manufacturing Businesses
Businesses
197
Employed
9,030
2021 Retail Trade Businesses
Businesses
643
Employed
8,917
2021 Educational Services - Businesses
Businesses
151
Employed
8,691
2021 Accommodation/Food Service
Businesses
270
Employed
5,460
2021 Food Service/Drinking Estab
Businesses
230
Employed
4,525
Some
High School
2,599
Graduated
High School
18,991
Associates
Degree
10,031
Bachelor's
Degree
17,779
Graduate
Degree
8,932
Average Commute Time
0 min.
Resident Commuters
41,596
Non-Resident Commuters
20,920
Drive Alone
50,075
Carpooled
4,532
Public
790
Work At Home
4,655