Butler County, Kansas is located in the south-central region of the state and is home to an estimated population of over 16,000 people. It is the second most populous county in the state, after Johnson County. The largest city in Butler County is El Dorado, which has a population of about 13,000 people. Other cities in the county include Augusta (3,500), Douglass (1,200), Rose Hill (1,100) and Leon (800).
Butler County was founded in 1855 and is named after William Orlando Butler who served as a Major General for the Union Army during the Civil War. Over time it has become an attractive area for many due to its rich history and abundant natural beauty.
In terms of population demographics, Butler County has a fairly diverse mix of ethnic backgrounds with about 92% being white while 5% are African American and 3% are Hispanic or Latino. There are also small numbers of Asian, Native American and Pacific Islander residents living in the area.
In terms of age distribution, Butler County has a fairly balanced mix between young and old residents. The median age for all residents is 37 years old with 21% under 18 years old and 15% aged 65 or older. The majority of the population consists of those between 18-64 with 64%.
The county also has a fairly high educational attainment rate with 87% having at least a high school diploma or equivalent and 30% having earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. In terms of employment status, 77% are employed while 12% are unemployed and 11% have not participated in the labor force within the past year.
Butler County’s economy is largely based on agriculture with corn being one of its main crops as well as livestock production such as beef cattle and hogs being important agricultural activities in the area. Additionally, there are several manufacturing companies located within its borders that produce products such as engines for farm equipment as well as meat packing plants that provide employment opportunities to many local residents.
Given its close proximity to Wichita which is just 30 miles away along with its growing economy and attractive quality of life, it’s no wonder why more people are choosing to call Butler County home.
History of Butler County, Kansas
Butler County, Kansas has a long and rich history that dates back to before its official founding in 1855. Prior to the arrival of European settlers, the area was inhabited by various Native American tribes such as the Osage, Kaw, and Pawnee. The first white settler in Butler County was William Beaumont who arrived in 1854 from Ohio. In 1855, the Kansas Territorial Legislature officially established Butler County and named it after William Orlando Butler who was a Major General for the Union Army during the Civil War.
In 1861, the first post office in Butler County opened in El Dorado which quickly became a popular stop on the Santa Fe Trail due to its location on Walnut Creek. At this time, much of what is now Butler County was still part of Indian Territory and not open to white settlement until 1867 when it was opened up for homesteading. This sparked a wave of new settlers into the area who sought to take advantage of the cheap land prices and abundant natural resources for farming and ranching operations.
During this time period, several small towns began to spring up throughout Butler County including Augusta (1872), Douglass (1873), Rose Hill (1875) and Leon (1877). By 1880, there were over 5,000 people living in Butler County with most being engaged in some form of agricultural activity or livestock production such as cattle or hogs.
As time went on, more people began to move into Butler County due to its close proximity to Wichita which is only 30 miles away. In addition to this, several manufacturing companies set up shop within its borders producing products such as engines for farm equipment as well as meat packing plants providing employment opportunities for many local residents. By 1920 there were over 13,000 people living in Butler County with much of them engaged in some form of agricultural activity or industry related business.
Today, Butler County is home to about 13,000 people with a fairly diverse mix of ethnic backgrounds including 92% being white while 5% are African American and 3% are Hispanic or Latino with small numbers of Asian, Native American and Pacific Islander residents living in the area as well. It has become an attractive area for many due its rich history and abundant natural beauty as well as a growing economy that has attracted many new businesses into its borders creating employment opportunities for many local residents.
Major cities and towns in Butler County, Kansas
According to AbbreviationFinder, Butler County is a county located in the south-central part of Kansas, home to around 13,000 people and a rich history dating back to the days of the Santa Fe Trail. The county is made up of several small towns and cities including El Dorado, Augusta, Douglass, Rose Hill and Leon.
El Dorado is the county seat and largest city in Butler County with a population of around 12,000 people. It was established in 1861 as the first post office in Butler County along the Santa Fe Trail. Today, it is an attractive area for many due to its close proximity to Wichita which is only 30 miles away as well as its rich history and abundant natural beauty. The city has a vibrant downtown area with many shops and restaurants as well as an impressive historic courthouse that dates back to 1885. There are also several parks located throughout El Dorado that offer plenty of outdoor activities for residents and visitors alike.
Augusta is located about 10 miles northwest of El Dorado and was established in 1872 during a wave of settlers into Butler County who sought to take advantage of the cheap land prices and abundant natural resources for farming and ranching operations. It has since grown into a thriving community with over 4,600 residents who enjoy its small-town charm along with modern amenities such as shopping centers, restaurants, parks, schools and churches. The town also hosts an annual Prairie Festival which celebrates its agricultural roots with activities such as parades, tractor pulls, food vendors and more.
Douglass was founded in 1873 by railroad workers who were constructing tracks through the area at that time. This town is located about 12 miles west of El Dorado along Highway 54 with just over 1,500 people living there today. It has maintained much of its small-town charm throughout the years while still offering modern amenities such as stores, restaurants and entertainment venues for residents to enjoy.
Rose Hill was established in 1875 by settlers who were looking for land to homestead on after Indian Territory opened up for white settlement two years prior. This small town has grown slowly but steadily over time reaching just over 1,200 people today while still maintaining much of its historic charm from days gone by when it was primarily an agricultural based community relying on nearby farms for sustenance.
Leon is located about 8 miles east of El Dorado near Walnut Creek with just under 800 people living there today making it one of the smallest towns in Butler County yet still offering plenty for residents including shops & restaurants along Main Street plus several parks & recreation areas nearby where families can spend time outdoors together enjoying nature or participating in organized sports activities such as soccer or basketball leagues run by local organizations throughout the year.
Population in Butler County, Kansas
According to maternityetchic.com, Butler County is located in south-central Kansas and is home to a population of approximately 66,000 people. The county seat is El Dorado, which serves as the hub of activity for the region. The county encompasses an area of 1,157 square miles and has four incorporated cities – El Dorado, Douglass, Rose Hill and Leon – as well as many unincorporated communities.
The population of Butler County has seen steady growth since the turn of the 20th century. In 1900, the population was just over 14,000 people. By 1950, it had grown to over 51,000 people and by 2000 it had reached nearly 65,000 people. Between 2000 and 2010, the population grew by almost 3%, reaching 66,000 in 2010 according to U.S. Census data.
The majority of Butler County’s residents are white (over 84%), with African Americans making up just under 5% and Native Americans comprising less than 1%. Hispanics or Latinos make up 8% of the population while Asians account for 1%. Over half (57%) of Butler County’s residents are female while 43% are male.
The median age in Butler County is 38 years old with a median household income of $50,162 per year as reported by U.S Census data from 2017-2018. Over 22% of residents live below the poverty line while another 15% earn incomes between 100%-200% above poverty level wages according to 2018 estimates from The American Community Survey (ACS).
In terms of educational attainment levels in Butler County, approximately 30% have a high school diploma or equivalent; 16% have some college or an associate degree; 12% have a Bachelor’s degree; 6% hold a Master’s degree; and 2% have obtained Doctoral degrees or higher according to ACS estimates from 2018-2019.
In terms of employment in Butler County, agriculture continues to play an important role with 798 farms covering over 460 thousand acres throughout the county according to 2017 U.S Census estimates. Other popular industries include manufacturing (18%), retail trade (13%), health care & social assistance (10%) and educational services (7%).