Butler County, Missouri Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 27th-largest in Missouri
The population of Butler County, Missouri is 42,166 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 27th-largest county in Missouri. The median household income is $49,213, the median home value is $138,800, and the median age is 40.5.
The population of Butler County has declined 2.3% since 2010 (42,785 → 41,814), a -0.16% annualized rate.
42,166
Population
-0.16%
Annual growth
61
People / sq mi
$49,213
Median Income
$138,800
Median Home Value
Butler County covers 695 sq mi of land at 60.7 people per square mile.
About Butler County, MO
Butler County is a county in Missouri with a population of 42,166. It ranks #27 among counties in Missouri by population. The median age is 40.5, older than the national median. The population is 48.8% male and 51.2% female.
The median household income in Butler County is $49,213, below the US median of $74,580. 12.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $138,800, with monthly rent averaging $768. The homeownership rate of 65.0% is close to the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Butler County reflects 15.2% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 4.9% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 19.5 minutes each way.
Butler County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Butler County had a population of 42,785 in 2010 and 41,814 in 2024, a -2.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 43,001 in 2012. Average annual growth rate: -0.16%.
41,814
Population (2024)
42,785
Population (2010)
43,001
Peak (2012)
-0.16%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 42,785 |
| 2011 | 42,996 |
| 2012 | 43,001 |
| 2013 | 42,979 |
| 2014 | 42,870 |
| 2015 | 42,857 |
| 2016 | 42,804 |
| 2017 | 42,651 |
| 2018 | 42,641 |
| 2019 | 42,574 |
| 2020 | 42,063 |
| 2021 | 42,163 |
| 2022 | 42,150 |
| 2023 | 41,910 |
| 2024 | 41,814 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 87.4% |
| Black or African American | 4.6% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.7% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
40.5
Median Age
51.2%
Female
48.8%
Male
19.3%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 19.3% · Seniors (65+): 19.3%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $49,213$-19,707 vs state |
| Mean household income | $66,403 |
| Per-capita income | $27,108 |
| Poverty rate | 12.9%+4.5% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7% |
| Employment-to-population | 52.6% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Butler County is professional & business services, accounting for 22.2% of workers.
How residents commute
0.5%
Drive alone
1.6%
Carpool
78.6%
Public transit
4.9%
Work from home
19.5 min
Avg commute
Housing
$138,800$-76,800 vs state
Median home value
$768
Median rent
65.0%
Homeownership rate
19,296
Total housing units
85.5%
Occupied
14.5%
Vacant
35.0%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
86.7%
With health insurance
87.8%
With broadband internet
24.9%
Foreign-born
10.0%
Veterans (18+)
23.1%
With a disability
97.6%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
84.5%
High School+
15.2%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in Missouri
Other counties in Missouri
Part of Missouri
Metro areas in Missouri
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Butler County, Missouri has a population of 42,166 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 27th-largest county in Missouri. Population density is 61 people per square mile.
The population of Butler County has declined 2.3% since 2010 (42,785 → 41,814), a -0.16% annualized rate.
The median household income in Butler County, Missouri is $49,213, with mean (average) household income of $66,403 and per-capita income of $27,108. 12.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Butler County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (87.4%), Black or African American (4.6%), Hispanic or Latino (1.7%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Butler County, Missouri is 40.5 years. Residents are 51.2% female and 48.8% male.
The median home value in Butler County is $138,800 and median monthly rent is $768. 65.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 19,296 total housing units, 14.5% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Butler County, Missouri is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 22.2% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.7%.
Kansas City is among the largest cities associated with Butler County, Missouri, with a population of 508,233.
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Full rankings of Missouri counties
Statewide data for Missouri
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Missouri
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.