The students of Benton High School are residents of a rural community that is our parish seat of government. Inside the city limits of the town of Benton, there are 2,698 citizens, but the school’s district comprises a population of approximately 8,000. Family income in the school’s district varies greatly. Benton High School has a wide representation from all socio-economic groups with the majority of our students’ families’ incomes falling in the middle to upper-middle class categories. The school’s socio-economic population is trending upward and is expected to continue upward as homes are being built in areas south of the school and in areas around the Cypress/Black Bayou lakes.

The racial composition of the community is predominately white. African Americans make up the other most significant ethnic group. Other ethnic groups are not significantly represented in this community’s racial makeup.

The community has a few small industries with some new industries projected for development. The largest employers in Benton are the Bossier Parish Courthouse and Bossier Parish School Board with three schools, the maintenance department, and the central office, all housed in the town of Benton.

The religious orientation of the community is varied, including the following congregations: Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, C.M.E. Assembly of God, Pentecostal, Catholic, and non-denominational. Several of these churches participate in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program at our school.

Opportunities for youth participation in the Benton community include many youth activities at the various churches, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, and DARE. Other activities include public library programs, BossierParish Parks and Recreation sports teams, and Cypress Lake Nature Center. Bossier Parish Community College offers a concurrent registration program that allows high school students to enroll in college credit courses.