CountyScore

Butler County

Alabama · AL

#17 in Alabama
72.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Butler County, Alabama

Butler delivers solid national livability

Butler's composite score of 72.3 is 45% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of American counties for livability. The county performs consistently across affordability and tax metrics.

Above Alabama's state average

Butler scores 72.3 compared to Alabama's state average of 70.8, positioning it above the state median and among Alabama's stronger performers. The county ranks in the top tier statewide for overall livability.

Affordability meets low tax burden

Butler excels with a cost score of 86.7, offering median rent of $722 and median home values of $99,700 in a rural setting. The tax score of 92.6 with an effective rate of 0.343% adds substantial financial advantage for residents.

Limited economic opportunity and income

Butler's income score of just 12.7 reflects median household income of only $44,881, indicating a thin local job market. Health outcomes at 58.3 and a risk score of 54.9 suggest moderate challenges in community health and stability.

Perfect for budget-conscious retirees

Butler attracts retirees and remote workers seeking deep affordability combined with tax relief in a quiet rural setting. The county's low cost structure rewards those with secure outside income.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax92.6Cost86.7SafetyComing SoonHealth58.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.7Risk54.9WaterComing Soon
🏛92.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼12.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡54.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Butler County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Choctaw County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $44,483
Hale County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $41,325
Pike County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $47,961
Gilchrist County
Florida
72.3
Median income: $61,070
Crawford County
Georgia
72.3
Median income: $60,905

Deep Dives

Butler County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Butler County

via TaxByCounty

Butler's taxes remain a fraction of national burden

Butler County's 0.343% effective tax rate produces just $342 annually on the median home—one-eighth the national average of $2,690. Even with a slightly above-average state rate, Butler residents enjoy tax bills far below most American homeowners.

Above-average rate, modest absolute taxes

At 0.343%, Butler County's effective rate exceeds Alabama's state average of 0.339%, ranking it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 67 counties. The county's $342 median tax is notably below the state median of $511, reflecting Butler's low median home value of $99,700.

Mid-range rates for south Alabama

Butler's 0.343% rate sits between neighboring Pike County's lower rate and Coffee County's higher burden. With a $99,700 median home value, Butler represents an affordable real estate market in the southern part of the state.

Plan for approximately $342 annually

A homeowner with Butler's $99,700 median-value property pays roughly $342 per year in property taxes. Mortgage-paying residents typically see $460 in annual escrow, while those owning free-and-clear pay around $283.

Challenge overvalued assessments in slower markets

Butler County's modest home values mean outdated assessments can significantly overstate your property's worth. If comparable sales in your area suggest a lower value, filing an appeal could reduce your tax obligation without major effort.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Butler County

via CostByCounty

Butler above national affordability standards

Renters in Butler County spend 19.3% of their income on housing, exceeding the national average of 18% and Alabama's state average of 18% by a meaningful margin. The county's median household income of $44,881 falls well below the national median of $74,755, limiting financial flexibility despite rural affordability.

Moderate affordability challenges in Alabama

Butler County ranks below-average for affordability among Alabama counties, with a 19.3% rent-to-income ratio that exceeds the state norm. The county faces income limitations similar to other rural peers.

Mid-range rural housing costs and incomes

Butler's median rent of $722 sits between Barbour ($644) and Bibb ($802), offering moderate-rural pricing without the lowest-cost advantage. Its median home value of $99,700 is among the lowest in this group, competitive with Barbour and Bullock for first-time homebuyers.

Modest rents strain limited incomes

Renters pay $722 monthly and homeowners $579 from a median income of just $44,881, consuming roughly 19% of household budgets for housing alone. While costs remain affordable in absolute terms, the county's limited income base means housing expenses still pressure family finances.

Butler best for those with stable outside income

Butler County's $722 median rent and $99,700 home values appeal to budget-conscious movers, but its $44,881 median income suggests caution for local job-seekers. If you have remote work or retirement income, Butler's affordable housing and rural character may offer good value; otherwise, explore higher-wage Alabama counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Butler County

via IncomeByCounty

Butler struggles significantly below national income

Butler County's median household income of $44,881 lags the national median of $74,755 by $29,874—a 40% shortfall placing it among lower-income counties nationwide. This substantial gap reflects limited job diversity and the economic pressures facing rural Alabama's agricultural and small-town base.

Below state average, among poorer Alabama counties

At $44,881, Butler's median household income falls 17% below Alabama's state average of $54,196, ranking it among the state's more economically challenged regions. The county mirrors struggles of other rural southeast Alabama counties facing population losses and shrinking employment bases.

Paired with similarly struggling rural counties

Butler's $44,881 income aligns closely with Barbour County ($44,290), forming a pair of adjacent rural counties facing comparable economic headwinds. Both lag stronger-performing areas like Blount and Calhoun by $10,000-$20,000 in household income, reflecting their isolation from job centers and economic hubs.

Low housing costs provide modest relief

Butler's rent-to-income ratio of 19.3% sits just under the 20% affordability threshold, and median home values of $99,700 remain highly accessible. However, these low housing costs mask underlying income inadequacy—residents struggle with transportation, healthcare, and education expenses despite affordable shelter.

Build resilience before pursuing investment growth

Butler households earning $44,881 need financial resilience before wealth accumulation—prioritize paying down debt, establishing emergency savings, and stabilizing income. Community action agencies, local workforce programs, and microfinance lenders offer more realistic starting points than traditional investment advice for this income level.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Butler County

via HealthByCounty

Butler trails U.S. health averages on key metrics

At 71.5 years, Butler's life expectancy falls 1.9 years below the U.S. average of 73.4 years, with 26.0% of adults in poor or fair health. These figures point to significant chronic disease burden, limited preventive care, or socioeconomic barriers affecting daily wellness.

Among Alabama's lower-performing health counties

Butler's 71.5-year life expectancy sits 0.6 years below Alabama's 72.1 state average, and the 26.0% poor/fair health rate indicates substantial unmet medical needs. At 10.4% uninsured, Butler is roughly aligned with the state average, but limited providers mean coverage alone doesn't guarantee care access.

Limited primary care, stronger mental health support

Butler's 71.5-year life expectancy trails nearby Conecuh and Pike counties, though the 87 mental health providers per 100K is an unexpected strength. However, just 27 primary care providers per 100K leave gaps in routine preventive care, forcing residents to seek specialty behavioral health first.

Imbalanced provider network strains system

Butler's 10.4% uninsured rate affects roughly 1,500 residents, and those with coverage find just 27 primary care providers per 100K available for routine appointments. The county's unusual strength in mental health (87 providers per 100K) suggests targeted investment, but weak primary care undermines upstream disease prevention.

Ensure coverage to access available care

Butler County's 10.4% uninsured rate leaves over 1,500 residents vulnerable, and with only 27 primary care providers per 100K, those without insurance risk untreated illness. Visit Healthcare.gov or Alabama Medicaid to enroll; coverage is essential to access the limited primary care capacity available.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Butler County

via RiskByCounty

Butler ranks low on national disaster scale

Butler County's composite risk score of 45.17 places it in the Relatively Low category nationally. The county benefits from its inland position and distance from major earthquake zones, though some hazards remain present.

Below-average risk for Alabama

Butler's 45.17 score sits well below Alabama's state average of 61.54, making it one of the state's safer counties. The southern location exposes it to hurricane effects, but flood and wildfire risks remain manageable.

Butler safer than some, riskier than others

Butler (45.17) has lower risk than Autauga (57.57) and Barbour (48.12) but higher than Bibb (39.12) and Bullock (25.25). Its south-central position places it in Alabama's moderate-risk band, with balanced hazard exposure.

Hurricane and tornado risks lead threats

Hurricane risk of 85.86 is Butler's highest exposure, reflecting the county's southern position and tropical system vulnerability. Tornado risk of 67.24 represents the secondary concern, while flood (36.13) and wildfire (31.08) risks remain relatively low.

Storm coverage and basic prep matter

Butler homeowners should ensure wind and hail coverage for tropical system impacts and tornado events. Flood insurance is optional for most properties but recommended for those in or near mapped floodplains in this moderate-risk county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.