Butler County Demographics

A map of Butler County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	36,091	35,745	85.9%	84.8%
Multiracial	2,417	2,407	5.8%	5.7%
Black	1,978	2,463	4.7%	5.8%
Hispanic	1,035	901	2.5%	2.1%
Native American/Other	314	310	0.7%	0.7%
Asian	185	304	0.4%	0.7%

Butler County, Missouri has an estimated population of 42,020, a less than 1% change from the 42,130 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 85.9% White, 5.8% Multiracial, 4.7% Black, 2.5% Hispanic, 0.7% Native American/Other, and 0.4% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Butler County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Butler has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Missouri overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Butler County, that probability was 27.3% in 2020 and 25.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Butler County is ranked the 27th most populous county in Missouri, out of 115 counties. Butler County was ranked the 27th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Butler County's White Population

36,091 residents of Butler County, or 85.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Butler County is higher than in Missouri overall, where 76.3% of the population is White. Butler County ranks 88th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Butler County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Butler County's population has increased from 84.8% to 85.9%.

Butler County is more White than neighboring Dunklin County (73.5% White). Butler County is less White than neighboring Clay County (93.5% White), Wayne County (92.4% White), Ripley County (92.4% White), and Stoddard County (92.7% White).

Butler County's Black Population

1,978 residents of Butler County, or 4.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Butler County is lower than in Missouri overall, where 10.9% of the population is Black. Butler County ranks 16th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Butler County's Black population has declined by an estimated 19.7%. Black residents' share of Butler County's population has decreased from 5.8% to 4.7%.

Butler County is more Black than neighboring Clay County (0.1% Black), Wayne County (0.4% Black), Ripley County (0.3% Black), and Stoddard County (1.1% Black). Butler County is less Black than neighboring Dunklin County (6.9% Black).

Butler County's Asian Population

185 residents of Butler County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Butler County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 2.1% of the population is Asian. Butler County ranks 25th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Butler County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 39.1%. Asian residents' share of Butler County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Butler County is more Asian than neighboring Clay County (0% Asian), Wayne County (0.3% Asian), Ripley County (0.3% Asian), Stoddard County (0.1% Asian), and Dunklin County (0.3% Asian).

Butler County's Hispanic Population

1,035 residents of Butler County, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Butler County is slightly lower than in Missouri overall, where 5.2% of the population is Hispanic. Butler County ranks 55th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Butler County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 14.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Butler County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.5%.

Butler County is more Hispanic than neighboring Clay County (1.1% Hispanic), Wayne County (1.5% Hispanic), Ripley County (1.5% Hispanic), and Stoddard County (2.2% Hispanic). Butler County is less Hispanic than neighboring Dunklin County (7.7% Hispanic).

Butler County's Native American/Other Population

314 residents of Butler County, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Butler County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Butler County ranks 49th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Butler County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 1.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Butler County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Butler County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Clay County (0.4% Native American/Other), Ripley County (0.3% Native American/Other), Stoddard County (0.2% Native American/Other), and Dunklin County (0.2% Native American/Other). Butler County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Wayne County (0.8% Native American/Other).

Butler County's Multiracial Population

2,417 residents of Butler County, or 5.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Butler County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Butler County ranks 9th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Butler County's Multiracial population has remained roughly the same. Multiracial residents' share of Butler County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.8%.

Butler County is more Multiracial than neighboring Clay County (4.9% Multiracial), Wayne County (4.6% Multiracial), Ripley County (5.2% Multiracial), and Stoddard County (3.6% Multiracial). Butler County is less Multiracial than neighboring Dunklin County (11.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.