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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 rohM34YeNtSihgkXo1I07g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001214002-05-000001.txt : 20050105
<SEC-HEADER>0001214002-05-000001.hdr.sgml : 20050105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050105111603
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001214002-05-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050105
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050105
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050105

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PERNELL JANICE W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001214002

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-18445
		FILM NUMBER:		05510887

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		904 HIGH STREET
		CITY:			SOUTH HILL
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23970

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BENCHMARK BANKSHARES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000804563
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				541460991
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 S BROAD ST
		CITY:			KENBRIDGE
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23944
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8046768444

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 S BROAD ST
		CITY:			KENBRIDGE
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23944
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>jwp41505_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-01-05</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000804563</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BENCHMARK BANKSHARES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BMRB.OB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001214002</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PERNELL JANICE W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>904 WEST HIGH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SOUTH HILL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>23970</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-05</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2450.000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>7.38</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11381.375</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>JANICE W. PERNELL</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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