Benson Economic Development Center
A project of Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group (SAEDG) in partnership with City of Benson and community sponsors
About Benson, Arizona
Fastest-growing city in Cochise County
An increasingly popular tourist destination
An increasingly popular tourist destination
Benson (pop. 5,536 as of 2024) is the third largest city in Cochise County. Of the county’s seven municipalities, Benson saw the fastest population growth from 2010 to 2020 and that is projected to continue in coming decades due primarily to Villages at Vigneto (a 28,000-home planned community in the city). In 2015, Benson overtook Bisbee
Benson (pop. 5,536 as of 2024) is the third largest city in Cochise County. Of the county’s seven municipalities, Benson saw the fastest population growth from 2010 to 2020 and that is projected to continue in coming decades due primarily to Villages at Vigneto (a 28,000-home planned community in the city). In 2015, Benson overtook Bisbee as Cochise County's third largest municipality (after Sierra Vista and Douglas). Benson is also home to a large retired population and is a winter refuge for visitors from colder climates.
An increasingly popular tourist destination
An increasingly popular tourist destination
An increasingly popular tourist destination
In recent years, our local historic & scenic sites and regional attractions have become increasingly popular with tourists from across the state & nation, as well as internationally. Benson is home to Kartchner Caverns State Park (named "Best Cave in the USA" in a USA Today Readers' Choice poll), which attracts more than 150,000 visitors annually.
Local markets & transportation opportunities
Local markets & transportation opportunities
Local markets & transportation opportunities
Benson is home to both large retail chain stores & our unique specialty shops along 4th Street. The city is conveniently located at the junctions of Interstate 10, AZ 80, AZ 90, and the main line of the Union Pacific Railroad. The busiest stretch of highway in Cochise County is I-10 just west of Benson. The city has the only AMTRAK passe
Benson is home to both large retail chain stores & our unique specialty shops along 4th Street. The city is conveniently located at the junctions of Interstate 10, AZ 80, AZ 90, and the main line of the Union Pacific Railroad. The busiest stretch of highway in Cochise County is I-10 just west of Benson. The city has the only AMTRAK passenger station in Cochise County, making Benson the first & last stop for visitors to the region traveling by train.
30 miles from Fort Huachuca
Local markets & transportation opportunities
Local markets & transportation opportunities
Fort Huachuca (an active U.S. Army and joint services installation located about 30 miles south of Benson) is the largest employer in Cochise County. The fort:
- develops and tests command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities;
- delivers intelligence and unmanned aircraf
Fort Huachuca (an active U.S. Army and joint services installation located about 30 miles south of Benson) is the largest employer in Cochise County. The fort:
- develops and tests command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities;
- delivers intelligence and unmanned aircraft systems training and education;
- designs, develops and integrates intelligence capabilities, concepts and doctrine; and
- provides support services to the Huachuca community to enable mission command in support of Army and joint operations and the continued evolution of Fort Huachuca.
Fort Huachuca trains over 9,000 students a year and at any given time has over 5,600 military, 8,000 civilians, and 11,000 family members.
In 2017, the Maguire Company released its Economic Impact of Arizona’s Principal Military Operations report, which estimated the annual direct, indirect, and induced impact of Fort Huachuca on Cochise County at $2.9 billion. The employment impact was estimated at 21,327 jobs countywide with $999.2 million in associated earnings.
Benson Chamber
Visit the Benson Chamber website for local information, special events, local-area business directory, business resources, and more. The Benson Chamber provides business networking opportunities (including chamber mixers and ribbon cuttings) in support of the Benson-area business community, and hosts special events in partnership with City of Benson and local businesses and organizations.
Benson Chamber is a partnership project of Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group (SAEDG), City of Benson & community sponsors.
Benson Visitor Center
Welcome to Benson, Arizona!
"Amid picturesque river-valley views, agreeable weather and the Home of Kartchner Caverns State Park, the City of Benson is ideally situated along Interstate 10 as the Gateway to Cochise County.
Founded in 1880 prior to Arizona’s mining boom, Benson developed as a stopping point for the Butterfield Overland Stage mail delivery route. Soon thereafter, the Southern Pacific Railroad came into Benson and continued to serve the area until 1997, when the line was purchased by Union Pacific Railroad...."
Community assets
Asset inventory: Benson, Arizona
Learn more about our people, land, buildings, quality of life, transportation, infrastructure & business environment
Includes population · demographics · age groups · income · language & English proficiency · school enrollment · educational attainment · poverty rates · labor market & workforce · unemployment rates · housing units · vacancy rates · home ownership rates · home values · homeowner costs · rental costs · housing affordability · available land & properties · local realtors · planning & zoning resources · health care providers · weather & climate · cost of living · things to do · restaurants · libraries · school districts · colleges & universities · average travel time to work · distance & routes to major metro markets · shipping & parcel delivery · trucking companies · airports · hotels · rail service · utility & telecom providers · financial services · economic development programs & incentives · tax & regulatory info · maps & more.
A community partnership project
