Butler County, Missouri
Butler County | |
|---|---|
 Location within the U.S. state of Missouri | |
 Missouri's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 36°43′N 90°24′W / 36.72°N 90.4°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | 1849 |
| Seat | Poplar Bluff |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 40,867 |
| Website | www |
Butler County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2000, the population was 40,867. Its county seat is Poplar Bluff6. The county was organized from Wayne County in 1849 and named for William O. Butler (D), congressman from Kentucky and unsuccessful candidate for Vice President of the United States. The first meeting of the county court was on June 18, 1849.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,810 km² (699 mi²). 1,807 km² (698 mi²) of it is land and 4 km² (1 mi²) of it (0.20%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Wayne County (north)
- Stoddard County (east)
- Dunklin County (southeast)
- Clay County, Arkansas (south)
- Ripley County (west)
- Carter County (northwest)
Major highways
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 40,867 people, 16,718 households, and 11,318 families residing in the county. The population density was 23/km² (59/mi²). There were 18,707 housing units at an average density of 10/km² (27/mi²). 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. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 31.7% were of American, 13.8% German, 11.6% Irish and 10.5% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
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 $27,228, and the median income for a family was $33,371. Males had a median income of $27,449 versus $19,374 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,721. 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.
