Benson is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 423 at the 2010 census, up from 408 in 2000. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.The village was established in 1874 with the construction of the Chicago, Pekin and Southwestern Railroad. The town was named after S.H. Benson of Streator, Illinois, the railroad's general freight manager. A post office was established in 1873.The Benson Water Tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.According to the 2010 census, Benson has a total area of 0.17 square miles, all land.As of the census of 2000, there were 408 people, 172 households, and 117 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,338.6 people per square mile. There were 183 housing units at an average density of 1,048.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the village was 99.26% White, 0.25% Asian, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.