Butler County, Missouri Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Butler County is located in Missouri with a total population of 42,166. It is the 27th most populous county out of 115 in Missouri.

Age Demographics

The median age in Butler County is 40.5 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Butler County is $49,213. This is 29% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.3%. This is 61% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. 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 4.9%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $138,800. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $215,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Butler County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Butler County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.6%. The Black or African American population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.

Education

15.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.5%.