countyscore
37.9
County Score
Cost of Living 71.7Property Tax 66.3Soil Quality 64.8

County Report Card

About Butler County, Missouri

Trailing the National Median

Butler County sits at a composite score of 37.9, which is about 12 points lower than the national median of 50.0. Low income levels and safety concerns weigh down its overall standing in the national landscape.

Underperforming the State Average

At 37.9, Butler County is notably below the Missouri average score of 50.3. Despite being a regional center, it faces steep climbs in health and safety metrics compared to its state peers.

Affordable Housing and Low Taxes

Affordability is the county's primary draw, with a Cost Score of 71.7 and a median rent of only $768. The Tax Score of 66.3 is bolstered by a low 0.673% effective tax rate, helping residents keep more of their earnings.

Income and Safety Struggles

The county faces significant hurdles with an Income Score of 13.0 and a Safety Score of 4.5. Median household incomes hover at $49,213, which is considerably lower than the state's more affluent areas.

Best for Low-Cost Retirees

This county is a practical choice for individuals on fixed incomes who need their dollars to stretch further via low housing costs. It provides a very affordable lifestyle for those who do not rely on local high-wage employment.

2040608010066.371.74.517.936.31316.949.558.8Tax66.3Cost71.7Safety4.5Health17.9Schools36.3Income13Risk16.9Water49.5Weather58.837.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Butler County DNA

Foverall

How Butler County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Butler County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (71.7/100) but notably weak in Safety (4.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
66.3+14.299999999999997
Cost
71.7+23.700000000000003
Safety
4.5-50.5
Health
17.9-32.1
Schools
36.3-17.700000000000003
Income
13-38
Risk
16.9-30.1
Water
49.5-8.5
Weather
58.8
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$138,800

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$768/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$138,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $49,213/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

4.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Siskiyou County
California
Median income: $55,499
37.9
Morgan County
Colorado
Median income: $75,407
37.9
Ingham County
Michigan
Median income: $64,354
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Pike County
Mississippi
Median income: $41,578
37.9
Greene County
Ohio
Median income: $85,218
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Licking County
Ohio
Median income: $81,033
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Travis County
Texas
Median income: $97,169
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Washington County
Texas
Median income: $75,085
37.9

Nearby counties

Ripley County
Missouri
49.8
Wayne County
Missouri
50
Clay County
Arkansas
55.7
Stoddard County
Missouri
47
Carter County
Missouri
57.5
Dunklin County
Missouri
40.9
Bollinger County
Missouri
54.3
Greene County
Arkansas
41.3

Deep Dives

Butler County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Butler County

via TaxByCounty

Butler County taxes well below national median

At 0.673%, Butler County's effective tax rate falls below the national median of 0.733%, placing it in the bottom-middle tier nationwide. Homeowners pay just $934 annually on a median home of $138,800—one-third the national median property tax of $2,690.

Below Missouri's statewide average

Butler County's 0.673% rate runs slightly below Missouri's 0.733% state average, ranking it among the lower-taxed counties statewide. The median annual tax of $934 is 22% below Missouri's median of $1,199.

Southeast Missouri's affordable option

Butler (0.673%) taxes slightly higher than Bollinger County (0.614%) but lower than Cape Girardeau County (0.674%). Among the region's rural counties, Butler offers competitive property tax rates for homeowners.

What Butler County homeowners pay yearly

With a median home valued at $138,800 and a 0.673% effective rate, the typical Butler homeowner pays $934 annually—about $78 monthly. Those with mortgages average $1,015 when escrow taxes are included.

Butler residents: Review your assessment

Even in low-tax counties, incorrect assessments can add unnecessary costs over time. Butler County homeowners can appeal their property valuation with the county assessor if recent comparable sales suggest overassessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Butler County

via CostByCounty

Butler's affordability challenge despite low rent

Butler County's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio is the worst in this group, even though rent at $768 matches the Missouri state average. The culprit is the lowest median household income ($49,213), straining renters despite reasonable housing costs.

Lowest income, highest rent burden

Butler County combines Missouri's lowest median household income ($49,213) with the highest rent-to-income ratio (18.7%) among these eight counties. This income-cost mismatch makes housing deeply unaffordable despite modest rental prices.

Income, not rent, drives Butler's struggle

Butler County's $768 rent matches the state average, but its $49,213 median income trails every comparable county—Caldwell ($62,520), Callaway ($72,645), and others. This income deficit creates an 18.7% rent burden that exceeds all neighbors.

Low wages, standard rents

Butler County households earn just $49,213 annually while paying $768 monthly rent (18.7% of income) or $685 for ownership on median homes valued at $138,800. The affordability crisis stems from wage stagnation rather than inflated housing costs.

Butler County requires higher earnings

At 18.7% rent-to-income, Butler County is the least affordable in this sample despite moderate rent prices—the real issue is income. Consider relocating here only if your job prospects offer substantially higher wages than the $49,213 county median.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Butler County

via IncomeByCounty

Butler faces significant income gap

Butler County's median household income of $49,213 lags the national median of $74,755 by roughly $25,500—a 34% shortfall. This substantial gap reflects one of Missouri's most economically challenged counties, with earnings well below the U.S. average.

Missouri's lowest-income counties

At $49,213, Butler County ranks among Missouri's lowest-income counties, trailing the state average of $59,503 by more than $10,200. The county's per capita income of $27,108 also significantly underperforms the state average of $31,011, indicating broad economic strain.

Struggles compared to regional peers

Butler's $49,213 median income ranks substantially below neighboring Bollinger County ($57,286), Caldwell County ($62,520), and Callaway County ($72,645). The county faces persistent economic challenges that limit household earnings and wealth accumulation.

Housing costs strain limited budgets

Butler's rent-to-income ratio of 18.7% approaches the affordability ceiling, meaning housing costs consume a growing share of modest wages. While the median home value of $138,800 is low, the mismatch between income and housing expenses remains tight.

Start small with consistent saving

Butler residents can build financial security by automating even small monthly transfers to savings accounts—$50 or $100 adds up over time. Community credit unions and low-fee financial institutions offer affordable tools to start emergency funds and plan for future stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Butler County

via CrimeByCounty

Butler County Reports High Crime Density

The total crime rate in Butler County is 3623.4 per 100,000, which is much higher than the national 2,385.5 baseline. Consequently, the county carries a safety score of 94.3.

Trailing Missouri's Safety Standards

Butler County's safety score of 94.3 is lower than the state average of 97.0. Its total crime rate also significantly exceeds the Missouri average of 1926.2 per 100,000 residents.

Local Comparison with Bollinger County

Butler County experiences nearly three times the crime rate of nearby Bollinger County, which sits at 1369.9. This regional disparity highlights a higher volume of incidents within Butler's population centers.

Property Crimes Predominate in Butler

Violent crime is elevated at 534.5, but property crime is the major factor at 3088.9 per 100,000. These figures suggest that roughly 3% of residents may be affected by property-related incidents annually.

Securing Property Against Theft

Given the high property crime rate, homeowners should invest in motion-activated lighting and secure storage for outdoor equipment. Visible security measures can effectively lower the risk of opportunistic theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Butler County

via SchoolsByCounty

Education in the Heart of Southeast Missouri

Butler County manages 20 public schools serving a total of 6,756 students through three distinct districts. The infrastructure includes nine elementary schools and six high schools, providing a broad range of options for local families.

Meeting State Standards in Graduation

The graduation rate of 91.4% perfectly matches the Missouri state average and exceeds the national average of 87.0%. Per-pupil expenditure is $5,877, which is lower than the state's $6,334 average but yields competitive academic outcomes.

Poplar Bluff R-I Leads Growth

Poplar Bluff R-I is the county's central district, educating 5,204 students across 10 different schools. Poplar Bluff High School is the largest single campus, serving 1,504 students in a county with zero charter school options.

A Blend of Town and Rural Living

The county features 13 rural schools and 7 town-based schools, with an average enrollment of 356 students per facility. While large campuses like Poplar Bluff Middle School host over 1,000 students, Fisk Elementary offers a smaller community feel for 345 learners.

Explore Homes in Growing Districts

Families often prioritize the Poplar Bluff R-I district when searching for homes to take advantage of the county's largest educational infrastructure. The district's ability to maintain high graduation rates makes it a steady choice for long-term investment.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Butler County

via RiskByCounty

Butler ranks among high-risk counties

Butler County's composite risk score of 83.11 substantially exceeds the national average and carries a Relatively Moderate rating. This position reflects significant exposure to multiple natural hazards.

Among Missouri's riskiest counties

Butler's score of 83.11 towers above the state average of 50.56, making it one of the highest-risk counties in Missouri. Residents in this county face above-average disaster exposure across the board.

Butler faces steeper odds than neighbors

Butler's score of 83.11 surpasses Buchanan County (74.36) to the north and Callaway County (63.93) to the west. Cape Girardeau County (85.69) edges slightly higher, but Butler remains among the riskiest in its region.

Earthquakes and tornadoes top concerns

Butler residents confront an exceptionally high earthquake risk of 95.10, paired with a tornado risk of 90.14. These two hazards dominate the county's risk profile; flood risk (79.07) adds a third significant layer.

Earthquake policy is critical protection

An earthquake risk score of 95.10 makes dedicated earthquake insurance non-negotiable for Butler homeowners, even though standard policies exclude it. Combine this with flood coverage and a tornado safety plan for comprehensive protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Butler County

via WaterByCounty

Health Violations Impact Butler County Water Grade

Butler County receives a 'D' grade following six health violations over the past five years. Its violation rate of 17.2 per 100,000 residents is lower than the Missouri average of 81.5 but indicates recurring compliance issues. Local utilities must address these specific failures to restore top-tier safety ratings.

Watershed Impairment Data Currently Unavailable

The federal government has not yet included Butler County water bodies in its §303(d) assessment of impaired waters. Because these streams are not currently covered, no official data exists regarding pollution causes or impairment rates. This data gap limits the current understanding of local watershed health.

Six Sites Track Regional Water Quality Trends

A total of 1,718 measurements have been collected across six monitoring sites over the last five years. Data collection focuses on physical traits, nutrients, and major inorganic substances. These records help environmental managers track changes in the county's primary water sources.

Black River Discharge at Half of Typical Flow

The Black River at Poplar Bluff is currently flowing at 719 cubic feet per second. This discharge is exactly 50% of the long-term mean of 1,454 cfs. This significant reduction in flow affects the 1,245-square-mile drainage basin and local water availability.

Vigilance Needed for Drinking Water Quality

The 'D' grade and recent health violations suggest residents should stay informed about their local water utility's specific compliance reports. With the Black River at half its usual flow, pollutants can become more concentrated in the remaining water. Consider utilizing certified filtration if you are in an area with a history of violations.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Butler County

via WeatherByCounty

Significant Warmth in the Southeast

Butler County is much warmer than the national median with an annual average of 58.0°F. The climate leans toward humid subtropical patterns found in the southern United States.

One of Missouri’s Warmest Spots

The county beats the state average temperature by over 3 degrees. It also receives 49.3 inches of rain, which is 5.5 inches more than the Missouri average.

Wetter Than Central Missouri

Butler is far wetter and warmer than Boone County to the north. Its climate is more similar to Cape Girardeau than to the drier northwest corner of the state.

Intense Heat and Mild Winters

Summer brings 53 days hitting 90°F or higher, peaking with a July average of 79.5°F. Winters are mild for the region, averaging 37.2°F with only 4.5 inches of snow.

Manage Moisture and Summer Swelter

Heavy-duty cooling systems are vital for the nearly two months of extreme heat. Excellent drainage is necessary to manage the heavy 49.3-inch annual rainfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Butler County

via SoilByCounty

Butler County's Tangy Earth

The soils in Butler County are somewhat acidic, with an average pH of 5.80 compared to the 6.5 national median. While taxonomic data is sparse, this acidity is common in the Missouri Bootheel region.

A Grittier Silt Mix

This county features a higher sand content of 24.5% compared to its neighbors. Combined with 53.8% silt, this mix offers a bit more grit and easier workability for tillage.

Rich Organic Matter Reserves

Butler County stands out with 7.58% organic matter, nearly double the state average of 4.74%. This rich biological content helps compensate for an available water capacity that sits slightly below the state average.

Subaqueous Drainage in the Lowlands

The drainage is classified as subaqueous, reflecting the county's position in a naturally wet, low-lying landscape. Management often requires drainage systems to prevent waterlogging in agricultural fields.

A Longer Season in Zone 7b

In Missouri's warm zone 7b, you can grow a wider variety of crops including some southern favorites. The high organic matter provides a fantastic jumpstart for high-demand plants like melons and squash.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Butler County

via LawnByCounty

Butler County's Tough Growing Conditions

Butler County has a lawn difficulty score of 44.3, making it one of the more challenging areas in the state for lawn care. The 7b hardiness zone indicates a warmer climate that can be particularly stressful for traditional cool-season grasses.

Intense Summer Heat and Moisture

The county endures 53 extreme heat days annually, far surpassing the state average of 37 days. While 49.3 inches of rain provides ample water, the high heat and 4,516 growing degree days create high evaporation and rapid growth cycles.

Acidic and Sandy Soil Base

The soil pH of 5.80 is acidic and requires lime to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for turf health. With a high sand content of 24.5%, the soil drains quickly, meaning homeowners must fertilize and water more frequently to maintain nutrients.

Severe Drought Challenges Turf

Currently, 100.0% of Butler County is in a severe drought stage, following 30 weeks of drought in the last year. These conditions make water conservation critical, as turfgrass is under constant stress from both heat and lack of moisture.

Heat-Tolerant Selections for Butler

Choose heat-tolerant species like Zoysia or specialized tall fescue blends for this 7b zone. Begin your growing season after the last spring frost on March 31 or wait until the fall cooling arrives around November 2.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Butler County's county score?
Butler County, Missouri has a composite county score of 37.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Butler County rank among counties in Missouri?
Butler County ranks #106 among all counties in Missouri on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Butler County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Butler County is $934, with an effective tax rate of 0.67%. This earns Butler County a tax score of 66.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Butler County?
The median household income in Butler County, Missouri is $49,213 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Butler County earns an income score of 13/100 on CountyScore.
Is Butler County, Missouri a good place to live?
Butler County scores 37.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #106 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Butler County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Butler County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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