Butler County, Alabama Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Butler County is located in Alabama with a total population of 18,807. It is the 50th most populous county out of 67 in Alabama.

Age Demographics

The median age in Butler County is 42.2 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Butler County is $44,881. This is 28% lower than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 43% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.0%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 41% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $99,700. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $195,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Butler County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 69.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Butler County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 44.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (44.7% vs 25.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 5.4%.

Education

13.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 27.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.6%.