Butler, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Butler, Pennsylvania had a total population of 13,212, the 61st largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $44,247, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% 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 | 13,306 | 13,212 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $41,705 | $44,247 | +6.1% |
| Median home value | $112,500 | $108,100 | -3.9% |
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Butler Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Butler County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homeacre-Lyndora | 6,783 | $74,217 | 11.0% | $202,800 |
| Shanor-Northvue | 5,125 | $95,379 | 4.9% | $259,900 |
| Meridian | 3,837 | $79,191 | 3.3% | $244,000 |
| Zelienople | 3,827 | $68,110 | 6.3% | $294,200 |
| Slippery Rock | 3,495 | $52,262 | 33.8% | $255,400 |
| Seven Fields | 2,884 | $114,000 | 0.6% | $409,700 |
| Slippery Rock University | 2,853 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
| Meadowood | 2,644 | $68,750 | 5.9% | $189,700 |
| Oak Hills | 2,513 | $90,926 | 6.5% | $285,800 |
| Evans City | 2,074 | $74,107 | 4.1% | $221,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharon | 12,936 | $45,670 | $78,800 | 18.4% | 20.0% |
| Meadville | 12,577 | $43,308 | $116,400 | 22.7% | 22.3% |
| Wilkinsburg | 14,027 | $46,416 | $155,500 | 36.7% | 20.4% |
| Bloomsburg | 13,024 | $51,536 | $179,100 | 32.5% | 26.5% |
| Washington | 13,368 | $52,975 | $128,200 | 19.0% | 16.8% |
Population Overview
Butler is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Butler County. The total population is 13,212. It ranks as the 61st most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Butler is 38.1 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Butler is $44,247. This is 43% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 83% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 8.2%. This is 56% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $108,100. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Butler is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Butler has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.2%. The Black or African American population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 8.7%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Butler, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. 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, Pennsylvania?
Butler, Pennsylvania has a population of 13,212 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Butler, PA?
The median household income in Butler is $44,247, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Butler, PA?
The poverty rate in Butler is 21.4%. This means approximately 2,744 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Butler, Pennsylvania?
Butler's population is 89.7% White, 3.2% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Butler, PA?
The median home value in Butler is $108,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Butler, Pennsylvania?
23.0% of adults (25+) in Butler hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.