Skip to main content

Butler County, Iowa Demographics 2026

Butler County, Iowa has a population of 14,268, the 55th most populous county in Iowa. The median household income is $73,715 and the median home value is $165,400. The poverty rate is 9.2%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Butler County Quick Facts

Population 14,268
Median Household Income $73,715
Median Home Value $165,400
Poverty Rate 9.2%
Unemployment Rate 3.1%
Median Age 43.7 years
Homeownership Rate 84.1%
Affordability Ratio 2.2x
Bachelor's Degree+ 21.4%
High School Graduation 93.9%
Cities/Places 9
Population 14,268 55th of 99
Median Income $73,715 2% lower than state
Poverty Rate 9.2%
Unemployment 3.1%

How Butler County Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population14,30114,268-0.2%
Median household income$69,651$73,715+5.8%
Median home value$156,500$165,400+5.7%

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 11.2%
$25K-$50K 18.5%
$50K-$100K 37.0%
$100K+ 33.3%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
2.6%
$10K-$15K
2.9%
$15K-$20K
2.7%
$20K-$25K
2.9%
$25K-$30K
4.4%
$30K-$35K
3.2%
$35K-$40K
3.7%
$40K-$45K
3.8%
$45K-$50K
3.4%
$50K-$60K
8.0%
$60K-$75K
13.6%
$75K-$100K
15.4%
$100K-$125K
11.0%
$125K-$150K
8.3%
$150K-$200K
8.1%
$200K+
5.9%

Employment

3.1% Unemployment Rate State: 3.6%|National: 5.2%
63.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 84.1%
Renter 15.9%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.2x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $812/mo 13.2% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

10out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 31 | National average: 61

Education

Cities & Places in Butler County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Parkersburg1,766$75,8854.9%$196,700
Shell Rock1,625$78,6575.0%$163,100
Clarksville1,237$62,9179.1%$125,900
Aplington1,111$74,7734.6%$147,500
Allison929$64,06312.8%$111,500
Dumont783$58,2149.1%$74,800
New Hartford675$84,37514.1%$114,700
Bristow197$107,5425.1%$65,000
Aredale48$27,50031.3%$63,100

Population Overview

Butler County is located in Iowa with a total population of 14,268. It is the 55th most populous county out of 99 in Iowa. The county encompasses 9 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Butler County is 43.7 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Butler County is $73,715. This is 2% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.2%. This is 17% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $165,400. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Butler County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 71.7%.

Race & Ethnicity

Butler County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.8%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.

Education

21.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All figures for Butler County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Iowa and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Butler County, Iowa?

Butler County has a population of 14,268, making it the 55th most populous county in Iowa.

What is the median income in Butler County?

The median household income in Butler County is $73,715 with a poverty rate of 9.2%.

How many cities are in Butler County, Iowa?

Butler County contains 9 Census-designated places.