Saline County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2000, the population is 83,529. The county seat is Benton.
Saline County was formed on 2 November 1835 and was named for salt water (brine) springs in the area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,892 km² (730 mi²). 1,874 km² (723 mi²) of it is land and 18 km² (7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.96% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 83,529 people, 31,778 households, and 24,500 families residing in the county. The population density is 45/km² (116/mi²). There are 33,825 housing units at an average density of 18/km² (47/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 95.27% White, 2.20% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. 1.30% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 31,778 households out of which 35.40% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.80% are married couples living together, 9.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 22.90% are non-families. 19.60% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.57 and the average family size is 2.94.
In the county the population is spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $42,569, and the median income for a family is $48,717. Males have a median income of $32,052 versus $23,294 for females. The per capita income for the county is $19,214. 7.20% of the population and 5.00% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 8.80% are under the age of 18 and 7.30% are 65 or older.