City · Missouri
Butler, Missouri
Butler, city, in Bates County, Missouri. Butler had 4,317 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 4,220 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 4,668 (±140). GEOID 2910054.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
4,317
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,220 · ACS 2020-2024: 4,668 ±140
Median household income
$42,151
±$5,938 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$145,400
±$28,365 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$893
±$210 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
Where is Butler and what county is it in?
Butler is a city in Bates County, Missouri. It covers 4.1 square miles of land, 1,038 residents per square mile in 2020.
Butler is in the Kansas City, MO-KS metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 14 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Butler lies entirely within Mount Pleasant Township, a township with its own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Butler, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 4,317 people lived in Butler on July 1, 2025, up 2.3% since 2020, in line with Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020 Census counted 4,220 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 4,668 (±140).
| Measure | Butler | Bates County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 4,668 ±140 | 16,186 | +538 |
| Households | 1,794 ±156 | 6,158 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.46 ±0.20 | 2.57 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,007 ±146 | 7,192 | no clear change |
Butler's population since 2000
From 4,209 in 2000 to 4,317 in 2025: up 2.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Butler as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Butler?
The median resident of Butler is 36.3 years old; 23.9% are under 18 and 20.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 6.6%. 2.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Butler | Bates County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.3 ±1.8 | 41.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.9% ±2.8 pts | 22.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.0% ±2.4 pts | 19.3% | – |
| Male | 52.7% ±3.9 pts | 50.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.8% ±2.1 pts | 2.6% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.1% ±3.4 pts | 91.7% | −6.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 6.6% ±2.0 pts | 2.1% | +3.2 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.1% ±1.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.5% ±1.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.1% ±1.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.6% ±4.1 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 26.2% ±5.6 pts | 18.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.6% ±4.5 pts | 11.3% | +5.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.7% ±3.8 pts | 90.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 13.0% ±4.8 pts | 14.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.2% ±2.9 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.4% ±4.9 pts | 88.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6% ±2.1 pts | 1.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Butler earn?
Half of Butler's 1,794 households earn less than $42,151 a year (±$5,938), against $60,733 in Bates County and $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $37,798 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 24.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Butler | Bates County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $42,151 ±$5,938 | $60,733 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $60,618 ±$10,492 | $75,381 | – |
| Per capita income | $24,059 ±$3,660 | $29,340 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 24.7% ±8.5 pts | 15.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 28.1% ±16.0 pts | 21.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 22.4% ±7.4 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.9% ±4.0 pts | 92.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.3% ±5.5 pts | 85.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Butler?
Owners occupy 59.1% of Butler's occupied homes and renters 40.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $145,400 by its owner (±$28,365). The median renter pays $893 a month including utilities, and 53.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Butler | Bates County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $145,400 ±$28,365 | $170,800 | +$45,591 |
| Median gross rent | $893 ±$210 | $786 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 53.5% ±12.5 pts | 41.0% | +22.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,232 ±$123 | $1,304 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 59.1% ±8.3 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 40.9% ±8.3 pts | 25.1% | – |
| Housing units | 2,007 ±146 | 7,192 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 12.5% ±7.0 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±4.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 79.3% ±5.9 pts | 79.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.9% ±1.4 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±1.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.6% ±3.7 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.5% ±5.0 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.8% ±5.3 pts | 7.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Butler building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units in Butler in 2025 (3 in single-family houses), 0.7 per 1,000 residents against 2.8 across Missouri.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Butler work and get to work?
88.1% of Butler's workers drive alone and 5.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 10.1%.
| Measure | Butler | Bates County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.8% ±5.8 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 10.1% ±5.1 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 88.1% ±4.6 pts | 80.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.4% ±3.1 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±2.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±2.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.3% ±3.0 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.7 min ±6.1 | 32.8 min | +11.5 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Butler?
1 census tract lies mostly in Butler, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Butler) · Census block assignment files
How does Butler compare with other places in Missouri?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Butler is the 5,317th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 161st-most populous of 936 in Missouri.
Butler ranks 364th of 416 places in Missouri with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 161st | 936 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 158th | 394 |
| Residents per square mile | 213th | 420 |
| Median household income | 364th | 416 |
| Per capita income | 343rd | 420 |
| Median home value | 246th | 416 |
| Median gross rent | 185th | 398 |
| Poverty rate | 67th | 373 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 337th | 404 |
| Median age | 278th | 420 |
| Owner-occupied share | 296th | 418 |
| Work from home | 241st | 270 |
| Travel time to work | 48th | 420 |
Butler's figures with every place in Missouri (CSV)
Every place in Missouri, sortable · Compare Butler with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Butler?
10 of the 57 figures for Butler on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Butler are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Butler.