Benson is a town located in Johnston County, North Carolina. The town lies at the intersection of Interstates 95 and 40. Each year Benson celebrates Mule Days the 4th Saturday of September, a festival that attracts over 60,000 people each year. In 2006, the estimated population was 3,374. Benson is located at 35°22'56 North, 78°32'46 West (35.382270, -78.546206). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.5 km²), of which, 2.1 square miles (5.5 km²) of it is land and 0.47% is water.