Butler, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Butler, Kentucky had a total population of 515, the 344th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $45,341, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Butler Quick Facts
How Butler Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 513 | 515 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $43,309 | $45,341 | +4.7% |
| Median home value | $136,500 | $158,200 | +15.9% |
How Butler Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Butler Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Pendleton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falmouth | 2,449 | $34,756 | 27.8% | $100,800 |
Cities Similar to Butler
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayking | 503 | N/A | $67,100 | 4.0% | 41.9% |
| Summer Shade | 532 | N/A | $113,400 | 7.1% | 55.8% |
| McRoberts | 556 | N/A | $60,100 | 2.4% | 46.0% |
| Symsonia | 473 | N/A | $264,800 | 44.4% | 21.8% |
| Pathfork | 542 | $49,571 | N/A | 34.9% | 21.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 515, Butler's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Butler is a small community located in Kentucky, within Pendleton County. The total population is 515. It ranks as the 344th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Butler is 49.6 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 14.6% 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 is $45,341. This is 29% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.7%. This is 122% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. 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 7.0%. This is 44% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $158,200. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 55.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Butler has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.9% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.0%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
9.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 68.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Butler, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Butler, Kentucky?
Butler, Kentucky has a population of 515 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Butler, KY?
The median household income in Butler is $45,341, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Butler, KY?
The poverty rate in Butler is 35.7%. This means approximately 159 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Butler, Kentucky?
Butler's population is 95.9% White, 0.8% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Butler, KY?
The median home value in Butler is $158,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Butler, Kentucky?
9.5% of adults (25+) in Butler hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.