# 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. The largest city and county seat is Poplar Bluff. 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. The first meeting in the Butler County Courthouse was held on June 18, 1849.
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 km$^2$), of which 695 square miles (1,800 km$^2$) is land and 4.3 square miles (11 km$^2$) (0.6%) is water.

### Adjacent counties

* Wayne County (north)
* Stoddard County (northeast)
* Dunklin County (southeast)
* Clay County, Arkansas (south)
* Ripley County (west)
* Carter County (northwest)

### Major highways

* Future Interstate 57
* U.S. Route 60
* U.S. Route 67
* U.S. Route 160
* Route 51
* Route 53
* Route 142

### National protected area

* Mark Twain National Forest (part)

## Demographics

As of the census 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/km$^2$). There were 18,707 housing units at an average density of 27 units per square mile (10/km$^2$). 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 :
| 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, 83.5% possesses a high school diploma or higher while 13.9% holds a bachelor's degree or higher as their highest educational attainment.

### Public Schools

* Neelyville R-IV School District - Neelyville
** Hillview Elementary School - Harviell - (PK-02)
** Neelyville Elementary School - (03-06)
** Neelyville High School - (07-12)
* Poplar Bluff R-I School District - 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 - Broseley
** Fisk Elementary School - Fisk - (K-08)
** Qulin Elementary School - Qulin - (K-08)
** Twin Rivers High School - Broseley - (09-12)

### Private schools

* Agape Christian School - Poplar Bluff - (K-12) - Non-denominational Christian
* Sacred Heart Elementary School - Poplar Bluff - (PK-08) - Roman Catholic
* Southern Missouri Christian School - Poplar Bluff - (K-12) - Assembly of God/Pentecostal
* Westwood Baptist Academy - Poplar Bluff - (PK-12) - Baptist
* Zion Lutheran School - Poplar Bluff - Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod

### Special education/other schools

* Hentz Alternative Learning Center - Poplar Bluff
* Shady Grove State School - Poplar Bluff
* Sierra-Osage Treatment Center - Poplar Bluff
* W.E. Sears Youth Center - Poplar Bluff

### Post-secondary

* Three Rivers College - Poplar Bluff - A public, two-year community college.

### Public libraries

* Fisk Community Library
* Poplar Bluff Public Library

## Politics
### Local

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 | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Hardy Billington | 9,595 | 100.00% | +30.81 |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 152 — Butler County (2018) :
| Party | 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 | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Darrell Atchison | 6,147 | 100.00% | +18.87 |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 153 — Butler County (2018) :
| Party | 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 | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Jason Bean | 16,168 | 100.00% | +23.84 |
Missouri Senate — District 25 — Butler County (2016) :
| Party | 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 :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 14,549 | 81.16% | 3,160 | 17.63% | 217 | 1.21% |
| 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.

### Missouri presidential preference primaries
#### 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
### Cities

* Fisk
* Neelyville
* Poplar Bluff (county seat and largest municipality)
* Qulin

### Census-designated places

* Fairdealing (part)
* Harviell

### Other unincorporated communities

* Ash Hill
* Batesville
* Broseley
* Carola
* Empire
* Fagus
* Halloran
* Hendrickson
* Hilliard
* Hubbells
* Junland
* Keeners
* Kinzer
* Kremlin Mill
* Milltown
* Nyssa
* Oglesville
* Parks
* Rombauer
* Rossville
* Stringtown
* Taft
* Vastus
* Wilby

### Townships

Butler County is divided into ten townships:
* Ash Hill
* Beaver Dam
* Black River
* Cane Creek
* Coon Island
* Epps
* Gillis Bluff
* Neely
* Poplar Bluff
* St. Francois

## Notable people

* Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, television producer (Designing Women)
* Christian Boeving, fitness model, bodybuilder and actor
* Sean Fister, 1995, 2001 and 2005 World Long Drive Champion, inducted to 3 Hall of Fames
* Leroy Griffith, burlesque theater owner and film producer
* Tyler Hansbrough, NBA basketball player for the Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers and the Charlotte Hornets
* Scott Innes, radio broadcaster and voice actor for Scooby-Doo
* Charles Jaco, CNN reporter
* Billie G. Kanell, Medal of Honor recipient, United States Army
* Tim Lollar, professional baseball pitcher
* Matt Lucas, singer, drummer and songwriter
* Julie McCullough, actress-model (Growing Pains and Playboy Playmate)
* Derland Moore, professional football player
* Mikel Rouse, composer