Males had a median income of $27,323 versus $19,403 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,932. About 15.6% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.6% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over. Notable people Charlie Birger, bootlegger during prohibition, hanged on 19 April 1928 at the Franklin County Jail in Benton Lin Bolen, former vice president of NBC Carl Choisser, Illinois state representative, lawyer, and newspaper editor Doug Collins, NBA coach, player, broadcaster, and Olympic basketball player William A. Denning, Illinois Supreme Court justice and state legislator Gary Forby, Illinois State Senator Billy Grammer, Grand Ole Opry star Richard O. Hart, Illinois state representative and lawyer William L. Hungate, federal judge and congressman from Missouri John Malkovich, actor Shirley Marsh, Nebraska state senator Rodney K. Miller, television host for Small Town Big Deal Offa Neal, third baseman for the New York Giants Ernest J. Odum, Illinois state representative and lawyer Carl Scarborough, race car driver, born in Benton Noble Threewitt, thoroughbred race horse trainer, born in Benton in 1911 Herbert L. Upchurch, Illinois state legislator and educator Rich Yunkus, former basketball player References External links Benton Evening News Cities in Illinois Cities in Franklin County, Illinois County seats in Illinois Populated places in Southern Illinois Populated places established in 1841 1841 establishments in Illinois Sundown towns in Illinois