County · Iowa
Butler County, Iowa
Butler County, Iowa. Butler County had 14,049 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.0% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 10 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 19023.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,049
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,334 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,268
Median household income
$73,715
±$2,576 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$165,400
±$5,861 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$812
±$73 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Butler County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,334 residents in Butler County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,049 for July 1, 2025, down 2.0% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,268 over 580 square miles of land.
| Measure | Butler County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,268 | 3,210,507 | −360 |
| Households | 5,863±132 | 1,315,707 | −391 |
| Average household size | 2.40±0.05 | 2.36 | +0.10 |
| Housing units | 6,570±33 | 1,437,699 | −214 |
Butler County's population since 2000
From 15,305 in 2000 to 14,049 in 2025: down 8.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Butler County?
Butler County holds 10 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Parkersburg with 1,969 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Parkersburg | 2,015 | $75,885 |
|---|---|---|
| Shell Rock | 1,268 | $78,657 |
| Clarksville | 1,264 | $62,917 |
| Aplington | 1,116 | $74,773 |
| Greene | 990 | $56,335 |
| Allison | 966 | $64,063 |
| Dumont | 634 | $58,214 |
| New Hartford | 570 | $84,375 |
| BristowGEOID 1908560 | 145 | $107,542 |
| AredaleGEOID 1902620 | 62 | $27,500 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Butler County?
The median resident of Butler County is 43.7 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 23.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 1.7%. 2.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Butler County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.7±0.3 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.4%±0.4 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.2%±0.1 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.7% | 7.3% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.6%±0.5 pts | 82.3% | −2.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.4 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.3%±0.6 pts | 5.9% | +1.4 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.9%±0.7 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9%±0.8 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 12.3%±1.1 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.2%±0.8 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.9%±1.1 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.4%±2.0 pts | 31.4% | +4.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.1%±1.0 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 2.2% | – |
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 County earn?
Half of Butler County's 5,863 households earn less than $73,715 a year (±$2,576), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 the median was $70,291 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $3,424 after inflation. 9.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Butler County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $73,715±$2,576 | $75,059 | +$3,424 |
| Mean household income | $90,569±$3,864 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,766±$1,670 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.2%±1.7 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.0%±3.8 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.0%±1.7 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.5%±1.9 pts | 88.9% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 84.1% of Butler County's occupied homes and renters 15.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $165,400 by its owner (±$5,861). The median renter pays $812 a month including utilities, and 32.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Butler County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $165,400±$5,861 | $208,000 | +$21,778 |
| Median gross rent | $812±$73 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.4%±7.5 pts | 35.2% | +9.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,319±$70 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84.1%±1.8 pts | 71.7% | +6.2 pts |
| Housing units | 6,570±33 | 1,437,699 | −214 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 13.9%±5.3 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 88.4%±1.6 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.8%±0.9 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 35.9%±2.5 pts | 23.5% | – |
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 County building?
Builders took permits for 18 new housing units across Butler County in 2025 (18 single-family), 1.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Butler County get to work?
81.7% of Butler County's workers drive alone and 6.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.1%.
| Measure | Butler County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.5%±1.7 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1%±1.0 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.7%±2.3 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.9%±1.7 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 2.1%±0.6 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.5%±1.1 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.7 min±1.1 | 19.8 min | +2.0 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 are Butler County's census tracts?
Butler County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $66,750 (Tract 703) to $89,306 (Tract 705).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Butler County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 55th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 70th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 55th of 99 |
| Median household income | 32nd of 99 |
| Median home value | 44th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 52nd of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 64th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 63rd of 99 |
| Median age | 23rd of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 County 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' school search.