Butler County, Missouri
County in Missouri, United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Butler County | |
|---|---|
 Butler County Courthouse in Poplar Bluff | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Missouri | |
 Missouri's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 36°43′N 90°24′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | February 27, 1849 |
| Named for | William Orlando Butler |
| Seat | Poplar Bluff |
| Largest city | Poplar Bluff |
| Area | |
| • Total | 699 sq mi (1,810 km2) |
| • Land | 695 sq mi (1,800 km2) |
| • Water | 4.3 sq mi (11 km2) 0.6% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 42,130 |
| • Density | 60/sq mi (23/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 8th |
| Website | butlercountymo |
Butler County comprises the Poplar Bluff, MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.
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
- Wayne County (north)
- Stoddard County (northeast)
- Dunklin County (southeast)
- Clay County, Arkansas (south)
- Ripley County (west)
- Carter County (northwest)
Major highways
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National protected area
- Mark Twain National Forest (part)
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 1,616 | — | |
| 1860 | 2,891 | 78.9% | |
| 1870 | 4,298 | 48.7% | |
| 1880 | 6,011 | 39.9% | |
| 1890 | 10,164 | 69.1% | |
| 1900 | 16,769 | 65.0% | |
| 1910 | 20,624 | 23.0% | |
| 1920 | 24,106 | 16.9% | |
| 1930 | 23,697 | −1.7% | |
| 1940 | 34,276 | 44.6% | |
| 1950 | 37,707 | 10.0% | |
| 1960 | 34,656 | −8.1% | |
| 1970 | 33,529 | −3.3% | |
| 1980 | 37,693 | 12.4% | |
| 1990 | 38,765 | 2.8% | |
| 2000 | 40,867 | 5.4% | |
| 2010 | 42,794 | 4.7% | |
| 2020 | 42,130 | −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
| 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% |
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.[11]
Public Schools
- Neelyville R-IV School District[12] - Neelyville
- Hillview Elementary School - Harviell - (PK-02)
- Neelyville Elementary School - (03-06)
- Neelyville High School - (07-12)
- Poplar Bluff R-I School District[13] - 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[14] - Broseley
Private schools
- Agape Christian School - Poplar Bluff - (K-12) - Non-denominational Christian
- Sacred Heart Elementary School[15] - Poplar Bluff - (PK-08) - Roman Catholic
- Southern Missouri Christian School - Poplar Bluff - (K-12) - Assembly of God/Pentecostal
- Westwood Baptist Academy[16] - Poplar Bluff - (PK-12) - Baptist
- Zion Lutheran School[17] - 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
Local
| Butler County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Chris Rickman | Republican | |
| Circuit Clerk | Cindi Bowman | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Donna Hillis | Republican | |
| Collector | Emily Parks | Republican | |
| Commissioner (Presiding) | Vince Lampe | Republican | |
| Commissioner (District 1) | Don Anderson | Republican | |
| Commissioner (District 2) | Dennis LeGrand | Republican | |
| Coroner | Jim Akers | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Kacey Proctor | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Jeff Darnell | 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
| 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.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Hardy Billington | 9,595 | 100.00% | +30.81 | |
| 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.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Darrell Atchison | 6,147 | 100.00% | +18.87 | |
| 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.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jason Bean | 16,168 | 100.00% | +23.84 | |
| 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.
| 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 | |
| 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).
| 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.
| 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
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.
| 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.
| 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.
| 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.
| 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.
| 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.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Hillary Clinton | 2,490 | 69.87 | ||
| Democratic | Barack Obama | 960 | 26.94 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 114 | 3.20 | ||
Cities
- Fisk
- Neelyville
- Poplar Bluff (county seat and largest municipality)
- Qulin
Census-designated places
- Fairdealing (part)
- Harviell
Other unincorporated communities
Townships
Butler County is divided into ten townships:
- Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, television producer (Designing Women)[21]
- Christian Boeving, fitness model, bodybuilder and actor[22]
- Sean Fister, 1995, 2001 and 2005 World Long Drive Champion, inducted to 3 Hall of Fames[23]
- Leroy Griffith, burlesque theater owner and film producer[24]
- Tyler Hansbrough, NBA basketball player for the Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers and the Charlotte Hornets[25]
- Scott Innes, radio broadcaster and voice actor for Scooby-Doo[26]
- Charles Jaco, CNN reporter[27]
- Billie G. Kanell, Medal of Honor recipient, United States Army
- Tim Lollar, professional baseball pitcher[28]
- Matt Lucas, singer, drummer and songwriter[29]
- Julie McCullough, actress-model (Growing Pains and Playboy Playmate)[30]
- Derland Moore, professional football player[31]
- Mikel Rouse, composer[32]
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