Butler County, Missouri

Butler County is a county located in the southeast Ozark Foothills Region in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 Census, the county's population was 42,130.[1] The largest city and county seat is Poplar Bluff.[2] The county was officially organized from Wayne County on February 27, 1849, and is named after former U.S. Representative William O. Butler (D-Kentucky), who was also an unsuccessful candidate for Vice President of the United States.[3] The first meeting in the Butler County Courthouse was held on June 18, 1849.

This article is about the county in southeastern Missouri. For the city in Bates County, in western Missouri, see Butler, Missouri.

Butler County
County
Butler County Courthouse in Poplar Bluff
Butler County Courthouse in Poplar Bluff
Map of Missouri highlighting Butler County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°43′N 90°24′W
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedFebruary 27, 1849
Named forWilliam Orlando Butler
SeatPoplar Bluff
Largest cityPoplar Bluff
Area
 • Total699 sq mi (1,810 km2)
 • Land695 sq mi (1,800 km2)
 • Water4.3 sq mi (11 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total42,130
 • Density60/sq mi (23/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitebutlercountymo.com

Butler County comprises the Poplar Bluff, MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 699 square miles (1,810 km2), of which 695 square miles (1,800 km2) is land and 4.3 square miles (11 km2) (0.6%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18501,616—
18602,89178.9%
18704,29848.7%
18806,01139.9%
189010,16469.1%
190016,76965.0%
191020,62423.0%
192024,10616.9%
193023,697−1.7%
194034,27644.6%
195037,70710.0%
196034,656−8.1%
197033,529−3.3%
198037,69312.4%
199038,7652.8%
200040,8675.4%
201042,7944.7%
202042,130−1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 40,867 people, 16,718 households, and 11,318 families residing in the county. The population density was 59 people per square mile (23 people/km2). There were 18,707 housing units at an average density of 27 units per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.16% White, 5.22% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Approximately 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in Butler County were 31.7% American, 13.8% German, 11.6% Irish and 10.5% English.

There were 16,718 households, out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.20% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,422, and the median income for a family was $42,713. Males had a median income of $27,449 versus $19,374 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,282. About 14.00% of families and 18.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.90% of those under age 18 and 16.90% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Butler County is part of the Bible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Butler County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (36.39%), nondenominational evangelical groups (14.64%), and Roman Catholics (11.92%).

2020 Census
Butler County Racial Composition[10]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 35,745 85%
Black or African American (NH) 2,463 6%
Native American (NH) 198 0.5%
Asian (NH) 304 0.72%
Pacific Islander (NH) 12 0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH) 2,507 6%
Hispanic or Latino 901 2.14%

Education

Of adults 25 years of age and older in Butler County, 70.5% possesses a high school diploma or higher while 11.6% holds a bachelor's degree or higher as their highest educational attainment.

Public Schools
  • Neelyville R-IV School District[11] - Neelyville
    • Hillview Elementary School - Harviell - (PK-02)
    • Neelyville Elementary School - (03-06)
    • Neelyville High School - (07-12)
  • Poplar Bluff R-I School District[12] - Poplar Bluff
    • Eugene Field Elementary School - (01-03)
    • Mark Twain Early Childhood Center - (PK/Daycare)
    • Lake Road Elementary School - (01-04)
    • Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center - (K)
    • O'Neal Elementary School - (01-03)
    • Oak Grove Elementary School - (01-03)
    • Poplar Bluff Middle School - (04-06)
    • Poplar Bluff Jr. High School (07-08)
    • Poplar Bluff High School (09-12)
  • Twin Rivers R-X School District[13] - Broseley
    • Fisk Elementary School - Fisk - (K-08)
    • Qulin Elementary School - Qulin - (K-08)
    • Twin Rivers High School - Broseley - (09-12)

Private schools

Special education/other schools

Post-secondary

Public libraries
  • Fisk Community Library[17]
  • Poplar Bluff Public Library[18]

Politics

Local
Butler County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Chris Rickman Republican
Circuit Clerk Cindi Bowman Republican
County Clerk Tonyi Deffendall Republican
Collector Emily Parks Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Vince Lampe Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Don Anderson Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Dennis “Boots” LeGrand Republican
Coroner Jim Akers Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor Republican
Public Administrator Sharron Payne Republican
Recorder Debby Lundstrom Republican
Sheriff Mark Dobbs Republican
Treasurer Tammy Marler Republican

The Republican Party completely controls all politics at the local level in Butler County.

State
Past gubernatorial election results
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 79.63% 14,337 18.60% 3,349 1.77% 318
2016 73.78% 12,598 23.65% 4,039 2.57% 438
2012 55.46% 9,251 42.18% 7,036 2.36% 393
2008 54.12% 9,205 43.86% 7,459 2.02% 343
2004 66.12% 10,796 32.85% 5,364 1.03% 168
2000 58.40% 8,301 39.80% 5,657 1.80% 257
1996 47.71% 6,793 50.63% 7,208 1.66% 237
1992 49.18% 7,335 50.82% 7,581 0.00% 0
1988 66.86% 9,060 33.12% 4,488 0.02% 3
1984 59.67% 7,875 40.33% 5,323 0.00% 0
1980 53.17% 7,471 46.75% 6,569 0.07% 10
1976 52.91% 6,489 46.82% 5,742 0.27% 33
1972 54.67% 6,972 45.23% 5,768 0.09% 12
1968 41.44% 5,393 58.56% 7,621 0.00% 0
1964 38.67% 5,021 61.33% 7,964 0.00% 0
1960 49.56% 6,772 50.44% 6,891 0.00% 0

Butler County is split between two legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, both of which are represented by Republicans.

  • District 152 is currently represented by Hardy Billington (R-Poplar Bluff). It consists of all of the cities of Neelyville, Qulin, and Poplar Bluff; all of the census-designated place of Harviell; and the unincorporated communities of Angus, Batesville, Belcher, Booser, Broseley, Fagus, Hubbel, Kremlin, Loma Linda, Nyssa, Oglesville, Platanus, Resnik, Roxie, Taft, and Vastus.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 152 — Butler County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Hardy Billington 9,595 100.00% +30.81
Missouri House of Representatives — District 152 — Butler County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Hardy Billington 5,890 69.19% -30.81
Democratic Robert L. Smith 2,623 30.81% +30.81
  • District 153 is currently represented by Darrell Atchison (R-Williamsville). It consists of all of the city of Fisk and the unincorporated communities of Ash Hill, Barron, Empire, Halloran, Hamtown, Hendrickson, Hilliard, Keener, Kinzer, Morocco, Rombauer, and Wilby.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 153 — Butler County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Darrell Atchison 6,147 100.00% +18.87
Missouri House of Representatives — District 153 — Butler County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jeff Shawan 4,249 81.13% +0.04
Democratic Matt Michel 988 18.87% -0.05

All of Butler County is included in Missouri's 25th Senatorial District and is represented by Republican Jason Bean (R-Holcomb) in the Missouri Senate.

Missouri Senate — District 25 — Butler County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason Bean 16,168 100.00% +23.84
Missouri Senate — District 25 — Butler County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Doug Libla 12,741 76.16% +6.54
Democratic Bill Burlison 3,989 23.84% -6.54

Federal

All of Butler County is included in Missouri's 8th Congressional District and is currently represented by Jason Smith (R-Salem) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith was elected to a fifth term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Kathy Ellis.

U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri’s 8th Congressional District – Butler County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason Smith 14,372 80.67% +1.02
Democratic Kathy Ellis 3,154 17.70% -1.14
Libertarian Tom Schmitz 289 1.62% +0.11
U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri's 8th Congressional District – Butler County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason Smith 11,060 79.65% +0.24
Democratic Kathy Ellis 2,616 18.84% +0.79
Libertarian Jonathan L. Shell 210 1.51% -1.04

Butler County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in the U.S. Senate by Josh Hawley (R-Columbia) and Roy Blunt (R-Strafford).

U.S. Senate – Class I – Butler County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Josh Hawley 10,727 76.47% +22.14
Democratic Claire McCaskill 2,961 21.11% -19.48
Independent Craig O'Dear 147 1.05%
Libertarian Japheth Campbell 115 0.82% -4.26
Green Jo Crain 77 0.55% +0.55
Write-Ins 1 0.01%

Blunt was elected to a second term in 2016 over then-Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander.

U.S. Senate - Class III - Butler County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 11,764 69.22%
Democratic Jason Kander 4,543 26.73%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 371 2.18%
Green Johnathan McFarland 185 1.09%
Constitution Fred Ryman 132 0.78%

Political culture
United States presidential election results for Butler County, Missouri[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 14,602 80.37% 3,301 18.17% 266 1.46%
2016 13,650 79.09% 3,036 17.59% 573 3.32%
2012 12,248 72.52% 4,363 25.83% 278 1.65%
2008 11,805 68.09% 5,316 30.66% 217 1.25%
2004 11,696 71.14% 4,666 28.38% 79 0.48%
2000 9,111 63.28% 4,996 34.70% 290 2.01%
1996 6,996 48.78% 5,780 40.30% 1,567 10.93%
1992 6,450 42.23% 6,602 43.23% 2,220 14.54%
1988 7,968 58.00% 5,751 41.86% 19 0.14%
1984 8,712 64.96% 4,699 35.04% 0 0.00%
1980 8,342 58.83% 5,605 39.52% 234 1.65%
1976 5,669 45.41% 6,759 54.14% 57 0.46%
1972 9,198 72.63% 3,466 27.37% 0 0.00%
1968 6,326 46.98% 4,379 32.52% 2,759 20.49%
1964 5,616 42.14% 7,710 57.86% 0 0.00%
1960 8,751 61.81% 5,406 38.19% 0 0.00%
1956 7,216 55.15% 5,869 44.85% 0 0.00%
1952 7,843 54.90% 6,426 44.98% 16 0.11%
1948 4,276 44.40% 5,319 55.23% 35 0.36%
1944 6,375 59.99% 4,219 39.70% 32 0.30%
1940 8,024 56.21% 6,213 43.52% 38 0.27%
1936 6,355 50.31% 6,234 49.35% 42 0.33%
1932 4,155 40.33% 6,058 58.80% 90 0.87%
1928 5,591 62.48% 3,320 37.10% 38 0.42%
1924 4,489 55.98% 2,953 36.83% 577 7.20%
1920 4,601 61.82% 2,662 35.77% 179 2.41%
1916 2,717 53.76% 2,135 42.24% 202 4.00%
1912 1,851 39.68% 1,946 41.71% 868 18.61%
1908 2,186 51.22% 1,893 44.35% 189 4.43%
1904 1,960 54.93% 1,369 38.37% 239 6.70%
1900 1,888 51.77% 1,670 45.79% 89 2.44%
1896 1,635 48.19% 1,743 51.37% 15 0.44%
1892 1,052 42.30% 1,233 49.58% 202 8.12%
1888 857 41.02% 1,189 56.92% 43 2.06%

At the presidential level, Butler County is solidly Republican. Butler County strongly favored Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020. Bill Clinton was the last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Butler County in 1992 with a plurality of the vote, and a Democrat hasn't won majority support from the county's voters in a presidential election since Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Like most rural areas throughout Missouri, voters in Butler County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings. Despite Butler County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist causes. In 2018, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition A) concerning right to work, the outcome of which ultimately reversed the right to work legislation passed in the state the previous year. 54.47% of Butler County voters cast their ballots to overturn the law.

2020

The 2020 presidential primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties were held in Missouri on March 10. On the Democratic side, former Vice President Joe Biden (D-Delaware) both won statewide and carried Butler County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeat President Donald Trump in the general election.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Butler County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Biden 997 60.72
Democratic Bernie Sanders 564 34.35
Democratic Tulsi Gabbard 10 0.61
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 71 4.32

Incumbent President Donald Trump (R-Florida) faced a primary challenge from former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, but won both Butler County and statewide by overwhelming margins.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Butler County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donald Trump 2,999 98.65
Republican Bill Weld 7 0.23
Republican Others/Uncommitted 34 1.12

2016

The 2016 presidential primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties were held in Missouri on March 15. Businessman Donald Trump (R-New York) narrowly won the state overall, but carried a majority of the vote in Butler County. He went on to win the presidency.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Butler County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donald Trump 3,652 50.47
Republican Ted Cruz 2,676 36.98
Republican John Kasich 427 5.90
Republican Marco Rubio 324 4.48
Republican Others/Uncommitted 157 2.17

On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-New York) narrowly won statewide and carried a majority in Butler County.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Butler County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Hillary Clinton 889 52.76
Democratic Bernie Sanders 766 45.46
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 30 1.78

2012

The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Butler County supported former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania), who finished first in the state at large, but eventually lost the nomination to former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts). Delegates to the congressional district and state conventions were chosen at a county caucus, which selected a delegation favoring Santorum. Incumbent President Barack Obama easily won the Missouri Democratic Primary and renomination. He defeated Romney in the general election.

2008

In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, with Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination. However, former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) won a plurality in Butler County.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Butler County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Huckabee 2,215 48.85
Republican John McCain 1,117 24.64
Republican Mitt Romney 1,007 22.21
Republican Ron Paul 134 2.96
Republican Others/Uncommitted 61 1.35

Then-Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes than any candidate from either party in Butler County during the 2008 presidential primary. Despite initial reports that Clinton had won Missouri, Barack Obama (D-Illinois), also a Senator at the time, narrowly defeated her statewide and later became that year's Democratic nominee, going on to win the presidency.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Butler County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Hillary Clinton 2,490 69.87
Democratic Barack Obama 960 26.94
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 114 3.20

Communities
The Art Deco-style Rodgers Theatre opened in Poplar Bluff on June 1, 1949.

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

Butler County is divided into ten townships:

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 264.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  10. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Butler County, Missouri".
  11. "Neelyville R-IV School District". Archived from the original on June 21, 2008. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  12. "Poplar Bluff Public Schools".
  13. "Twin Rivers R-10 School District". Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 18, 2008. Retrieved January 28, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. "Welcome!". Westwood Baptist Church. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  16. "Zion Lutheran Church". Archived from the original on November 18, 2005. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  17. Breeding, Marshall. "Fisk Community Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  18. Breeding, Marshall. "Poplar Bluff Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  20. Rochlin, Margy (September 27, 1992). "The Prime Time of Linda Bloodworth-Thomason : With Her Husband, Harry, The Unflappable Producer Has Become CBS' Comedy Franchise". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  21. "ICON MEN: Christian Boeving (Shoulders, Biceps & Chest Workout)". TV.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  22. Hook, Guy Yocom, Ben van. "My Shot: Sean Fister | Golf Digest". Golf Digest. Retrieved February 3, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. Baker, Greg (January 27, 1993). "The Pioneer of Porn". Miami New Times. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  24. Montieth, Mark. "Ben Hansbrough Begins Proving Himself (Again)". NBA.com. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
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  26. Currier, Joel (February 28, 2014). "KTVI's Charles Jaco leaving the news station". St Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  27. "William Timothy Lollar". MLB.com. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  28. Whiteis, David. "Matt Lucas". Chicago Reader. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
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36.72°N 90.40°W / 36.72; -90.40

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