County · Missouri
Butler County, Missouri
Butler County, Missouri. Butler County had 41,904 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.5% since 2020, while Missouri grew 1.9%. It holds 7 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 12 census tracts. GEOID 29023.
Butler County is the county of the Poplar Bluff, MO micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
41,904
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 42,130 · ACS 2020-2024: 42,020
Median household income
$49,089
±$3,075 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$145,100
±$7,701 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$780
±$39 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Butler County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 42,130 residents in Butler County. The Census Bureau estimates 41,904 for July 1, 2025, down 0.5% since 2020, while Missouri grew 1.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 42,020 over 695 square miles of land.
| Measure | Butler County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 42,020 | 6,191,814 | −636 |
| Households | 16,594±407 | 2,508,227 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.48±0.06 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 19,303±32 | 2,825,287 | −555 |
Butler County's population since 2000
From 40,867 in 2000 to 41,904 in 2025: up 2.5%. 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 7 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Poplar Bluff with 16,295 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Poplar Bluff | 16,225 | $41,941 |
|---|---|---|
| QulinGEOID 2960428 | 460 | $23,365 |
| NeelyvilleGEOID 2951446 | 318 | $35,865 |
| FiskGEOID 2924328 | 312 | $58,125 |
| FairdealingGEOID 2923248 | 543 | $49,293 |
| BroseleyGEOID 2908812 | 163 | $48,173 |
| HarviellGEOID 2930844 | 98 | not published |
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 39.5 years old; 23.3% are under 18 and 19.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.9%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.8%. 0.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Butler County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5±1.1 | 39.0 | −1.8 |
| Under 18 years | 23.3%±0.2 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.5%±0.3 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.5% | 5.2% | +0.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.9%±0.9 pts | 76.3% | −2.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.7%±0.7 pts | 10.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.8%±0.8 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.8 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.8%±0.6 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.9%±1.3 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 24.3%±1.7 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.0%±1.8 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.9%±2.0 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.8%±2.3 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.5%±1.3 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2%±0.8 pts | 2.5% | – |
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 16,594 households earn less than $49,089 a year (±$3,075), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $49,123 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 20.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Butler County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,089±$3,075 | $70,702 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $67,066±$3,475 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,431±$1,393 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.5%±2.4 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.7%±5.0 pts | 15.8% | −11.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.3%±2.4 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.4%±2.2 pts | 89.3% | – |
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 64.6% of Butler County's occupied homes and renters 35.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $145,100 by its owner (±$7,701). The median renter pays $780 a month including utilities, and 41.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Butler County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $145,100±$7,701 | $230,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $780±$39 | $1,033 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.8%±6.1 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,074±$63 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.6%±2.9 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 19,303±32 | 2,825,287 | −555 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.8%±3.0 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.2%±2.2 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.6%±1.8 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3%±0.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.1%±1.7 pts | 13.3% | – |
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 45 new housing units across Butler County in 2025 (25 single-family), 1.1 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?
78.4% of Butler County's workers drive alone and 5.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Butler County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.0%±1.8 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8%±1.3 pts | 4.0% | −3.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.4%±2.7 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.0%±2.4 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.7%±0.9 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.4%±1.4 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.0 min±1.7 | 23.5 min | +2.8 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 12 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $28,024 (Tract 9505) to $68,847 (Tract 9502.01).
| Tract 9501.0129023950101 | 3,611±465 | $57,170 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9501.0229023950102 | 1,967±401 | $50,000 |
| Tract 9502.0129023950201 | 5,346±744 | $68,847 |
| Tract 9502.0229023950202 | 5,550±654 | $47,754 |
| Tract 9503.0129023950301 | 3,800±498 | $54,315 |
| Tract 9503.0229023950302 | 3,546±517 | $41,086 |
| Tract 950429023950400 | 3,474±618 | $47,006 |
| Tract 950529023950500 | 2,394±538 | $28,024 |
| Tract 950629023950600 | 3,799±558 | $50,930 |
| Tract 950729023950700 | 2,680±492 | $31,659 |
| Tract 950829023950800 | 2,615±459 | $61,216 |
| Tract 950929023950900 | 3,238±405 | $54,167 |
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 Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 27th of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 89th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 32nd of 115 |
| Median household income | 101st of 115 |
| Median home value | 87th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 50th of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 11th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 86th of 115 |
| Median age | 83rd of 115 |
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.