Butler, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Butler, Missouri had a total population of 4,668, the 158th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $42,151, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
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 | 4,594 | 4,668 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $36,276 | $42,151 | +16.2% |
| Median home value | $124,100 | $145,400 | +17.2% |
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: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Butler Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Bates County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian | 1,857 | $52,829 | 13.8% | $159,500 |
| Rich Hill | 1,453 | $47,167 | 33.7% | $75,600 |
| Hume | 209 | $58,750 | 34.4% | $90,000 |
| Rockville | 153 | $35,625 | 11.8% | N/A |
| Amsterdam | 128 | $45,536 | 18.0% | $48,000 |
| Amoret | 120 | $41,750 | 23.3% | $65,000 |
| Passaic | 93 | $92,656 | 11.8% | $64,700 |
| Foster | 65 | N/A | 26.2% | $75,000 |
| Merwin | 33 | $93,333 | 0.0% | $189,600 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 4,677 | $43,923 | $115,000 | 15.1% | 11.1% |
| St. Clair | 4,789 | $41,820 | $157,700 | 9.5% | 15.0% |
| Eldon | 4,556 | $41,684 | $157,400 | 17.5% | 12.8% |
| Breckenridge Hills | 4,402 | $40,958 | $96,100 | 13.8% | 25.9% |
| Mountain Grove | 4,491 | $37,415 | $87,200 | 15.3% | 17.8% |
Population Overview
Butler is a small community located in Missouri, within Bates County. The total population is 4,668. It ranks as the 158th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Butler is 36.3 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Butler is $42,151. This is 40% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.7%. This is 96% 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 10.1%. This is 151% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $145,400. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 59.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Butler has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.6%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
13.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Butler, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. 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, Missouri?
Butler, Missouri has a population of 4,668 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Butler, MO?
The median household income in Butler is $42,151, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Butler, MO?
The poverty rate in Butler is 24.7%. This means approximately 1,066 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Butler, Missouri?
Butler's population is 85.1% White, 6.6% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Butler, MO?
The median home value in Butler is $145,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Butler, Missouri?
13.0% of adults (25+) in Butler hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.