Butler County, Pennsylvania

Butler County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is part of Western Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 193,763.[2] Its county seat is Butler.[3] Butler County was created on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County and named in honor of General Richard Butler, a hero of the American Revolution.

Butler County
County
Butler County Courthouse in Butler, Pennsylvania
Butler County Courthouse in Butler, Pennsylvania
Flag of Butler County
Flag
Official seal of Butler County
Seal
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Butler County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°55′N 79°55′W
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedMarch 12, 1800
Named forRichard Butler
SeatButler
Largest townshipCranberry Township
Area
 • Total795 sq mi (2,060 km2)
 • Land789 sq mi (2,040 km2)
 • Water6.1 sq mi (16 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total193,763
 • Density246/sq mi (95/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district16th
Websitewww.co.butler.pa.us
DesignatedJune 11, 1982[1]

Butler County is part of the Pittsburgh, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Some famous inventions and discoveries were made in Butler County. Saxonburg was founded as a Prussian colony by John A. Roebling, a civil engineer, and his brother Carl. After farming for a time, Roebling returned to engineering, and invented his revolutionary "wire rope.", which he first produced at Saxonburg. He moved the operation to Trenton, New Jersey. He is best known for designing his most famous work, the Brooklyn Bridge, but designed and built numerous bridges in Pittsburgh and other cities as well.

At what is now known as Oil Creek, Butler County resident William Smith and Edwin Drake first proved oil could be tapped from underground for consistent supply.

The Jeep was developed in Butler County by American Bantam in 1941.

Famous politicians have lived in and traveled through Butler County. U.S. Senator Walter Lowrie, the only senator from Butler, built a home in 1828 that still stands behind the Butler County Courthouse. The house has been adapted for use by the Butler County Historical Society. Butler's highest-ranked federal official is William J. Perry, Secretary of Defense under President Bill Clinton from 1994 to 1997. He graduated from Butler High School in 1945.

George Washington passed through this area during the French and Indian War. In 1923, the funeral train of President Warren G. Harding passed through Butler County on its way to Washington D.C. John F. Kennedy spoke in front of the Butler County Courthouse during the 1960 United States presidential election. Hubert Humphrey also campaigned in Butler. In 2004, Vice President Dick Cheney spoke in Saxonburg to campaign for President George W. Bush in the 2004 United States presidential election. Donald Trump, while president, campaigned at the Butler County Airport in 2020.

Bret Michaels, lead singer of the rock band Poison, was born here in 1963.

Geography
The downtown of Evans City

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 795 square miles (2,060 km2), of which 789 square miles (2,040 km2) is land and 6.1 square miles (16 km2) (0.8%) is water.[4]

It is the location of Moraine State Park, with the 3,000-acre (12 km2) glacial lake, Lake Arthur. Lake Arthur is used for fishing and sailing, and the surrounding park is used for hiking and hunting.

The county has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Butler borough range from 27.7 °F in January to 72.1 °F in July.[5]

Waterways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18003,916—
18107,34687.6%
182010,19338.8%
183014,58143.0%
184022,37853.5%
185030,34635.6%
186035,59417.3%
187036,5102.6%
188052,53643.9%
189055,3395.3%
190056,9622.9%
191072,68927.6%
192077,2706.3%
193080,4804.2%
194087,5908.8%
195097,32011.1%
1960114,63917.8%
1970127,94111.6%
1980147,91215.6%
1990152,0132.8%
2000174,08314.5%
2010183,8625.6%
2020193,7635.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2019[10]

As of the 2000 census,[11] there were 174,083 people, 65,862 households, and 46,827 families residing in the county. The population density was 221 inhabitants per square mile (85/km2). There were 69,868 housing units at an average density of 89 units per square mile (34/km2). The racial/ethnic makeup of the county is 96.5% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, 0.7% from two or more races; and 0.9% Hispanic or Latino of any race. 39.0% German, 20.8% Irish, 13.1% Italian, 8.6% English, and 7.8% Polish. There were 65,862 households, out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.80% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.

2020 census
Butler County racial composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 178,081 92%
Black or African American (NH) 2,174 1.12%
Native American (NH) 154 0.08%
Asian (NH) 2,792 1.44%
Pacific Islander (NH) 36 0.02%
Other/mixed (NH) 6,861 3.54%
Hispanic or Latino 3,665 1.9%

Law and government
United States presidential election results for Butler County, Pennsylvania[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 74,359 65.42% 37,508 33.00% 1,796 1.58%
2016 64,428 65.71% 28,584 29.15% 5,032 5.13%
2012 59,761 66.62% 28,550 31.83% 1,388 1.55%
2008 57,074 62.88% 32,260 35.54% 1,427 1.57%
2004 54,959 64.34% 30,090 35.22% 376 0.44%
2000 44,009 62.12% 25,037 35.34% 1,803 2.54%
1996 32,038 52.88% 21,990 36.29% 6,563 10.83%
1992 23,656 38.70% 22,303 36.48% 15,171 24.82%
1988 27,777 54.82% 22,341 44.09% 549 1.08%
1984 31,676 55.94% 24,735 43.68% 215 0.38%
1980 28,821 54.70% 19,711 37.41% 4,157 7.89%
1976 26,366 52.52% 22,611 45.04% 1,221 2.43%
1972 29,665 65.09% 14,695 32.24% 1,214 2.66%
1968 21,618 47.73% 19,415 42.87% 4,258 9.40%
1964 17,360 38.82% 27,267 60.97% 95 0.21%
1960 28,348 61.22% 17,805 38.45% 152 0.33%
1956 26,238 65.61% 13,672 34.19% 79 0.20%
1952 25,243 61.99% 15,295 37.56% 185 0.45%
1948 17,449 62.94% 9,818 35.41% 457 1.65%
1944 19,341 60.55% 12,377 38.75% 226 0.71%
1940 19,450 58.17% 13,875 41.49% 114 0.34%
1936 16,772 50.35% 16,008 48.06% 529 1.59%
1932 11,543 54.77% 8,717 41.36% 815 3.87%
1928 19,880 75.51% 6,283 23.87% 164 0.62%
1924 13,113 69.45% 3,462 18.34% 2,305 12.21%
1920 10,467 66.87% 3,829 24.46% 1,357 8.67%
1916 5,458 47.18% 4,544 39.28% 1,566 13.54%
1912 1,273 11.35% 4,022 35.86% 5,920 52.79%
1908 6,584 54.15% 4,698 38.64% 877 7.21%
1904 6,596 63.43% 3,187 30.65% 616 5.92%
1900 6,303 55.85% 4,465 39.57% 517 4.58%
1896 6,821 55.42% 5,127 41.66% 360 2.92%
1892 5,019 50.17% 4,161 41.59% 824 8.24%
1888 5,358 53.84% 3,986 40.06% 607 6.10%
1884 5,217 52.43% 4,236 42.57% 497 4.99%
1880 5,269 50.96% 4,678 45.24% 393 3.80%

Elected county officials

County judges
  • Dr. S. Michael Yeager(President Judge)
  • Timothy McCune
  • Kelly Streib
  • Joseph Kubit
  • Maura Palumbi
  • William Shaffer(Senior Judge)
  • William Robinson, Jr.

District judges
  • Kevin P. O'Donnell
  • Joseph Nash
  • Lewis Stoughton
  • Sue Elaine Haggerty
  • Kevin Flaherty
  • B.T. Fullerton
  • Amy Marcinkiewicz

State senate

State House of Representatives

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Politics

Butler County has long been one of the most consistently Republican counties in Pennsylvania and the nation. The last Democratic presidential candidate to win it was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, when he won a national landslide and carried all but four counties in the state; indeed Johnson is the only Democratic presidential candidate to carry this county in over a century. In the 2000 U.S. presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 62%, while Democrat Al Gore received 35%. In the 2004 U.S. presidential election, the county was carried by Republican George W. Bush 64% to Democrat John Kerry 35%. In the 2008 U.S. presidential election, the county was carried by Republican John McCain 63% to Democrat Barack Obama 35%. Since 2008, Butler County has continually given Republican nominees support in the mid-60s, with both Mitt Romney and Donald Trump receiving around 66% of the vote in 2012, 2016, and 2020.

As of September 25, 2023, there are 137,063 registered voters in Butler County.[14]

Chart of Voter Registration

  Republican (56.81%)
  Democratic (29.04%)
  Independent (9.93%)
  Third Party (4.22%)

Education
Map of Butler County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Colleges and universities

Technical schools

Public school districts

Public libraries

The Butler County Federated Library System (additionally known as the Library System of Butler County) includes the ten listed libraries. Each library is managed by its own Board of Directors. The majority of the funding for these libraries comes from state grants, user fines and donations with additional financial contributions from Butler County.[15] The first Butler library originated in 1894 with the Literary Society of Butler[16] in what is now known as the Little Red Schoolhouse.[17] The Butler Area Public Library, built in 1921, was the last Carnegie library built in Pennsylvania. In the intervening 27 years the library was independently operated.[16] From 1921 to 1941 the library quadrupled the number of patrons served.[18] In 1987 the County Commissioners, through a resolution, founded the Butler County Federated Library System.

Media

Recreation

Parks

There are two Pennsylvania state parks in Butler County.

  • Jennings Environmental Education Center is the home of the only protected relict prairie in Pennsylvania.
  • Moraine State Park The gently rolling hills, lush forests and sparkling waters disguise a land that has endured the effects of continental glaciers and massive mineral extraction. Each year over one million people visit the 16,725-acre (67.68 km2) park, yet never realize that many people helped restore the park from prior coal mining and oil and gas drilling practices. Today, the park is an outstanding example of environmental engineering achievement. During the third great ice advance about 140,000 years ago, a continental glacier dammed area creeks making three glacial lakes. To the north, Slippery Rock Creek filled giant Lake Edmund. To the southeast, extinct McConnells Run filled tiny Lake Prouty. In the middle, Muddy Creek filled the medium-sized Lake Watts.

Before the glacier dam, Slippery Rock and Muddy creeks flowed north while extinct McConnells Run flowed south. The glacier dammed Lake Prouty on the edge of the drainage divide. Eventually Lake Pouty spilled over and rushed to the south, carving Slippery Rock Creek Gorge. Lakes Watts and Edmund drained into the gorge, digging it deeper and making Slippery Rock and Muddy creeks flow south. Areas of the 400-foot (120 m) deep Slippery Rock Gorge may be seen at nearby McConnells Mill State Park.

The glacier created a landscape of rolling hills topped with hardwood trees and swamps in the valley bottoms. Moraines containing gravel, sand and clay were draped upon the landscape and silt was left on the extinct lake bottoms. Reference to: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateParks/parks/moraine/moraine_history.aspx

Trails

Transportation

Airports

Major roads and highways

Transit

Communities
Map of Butler County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Cities and Boroughs (red), Townships (white), and Census-designated places (blue).

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Butler County:

City

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

Unincorporated communities

Several of these communities, most notably Renfrew, Lyndora, Herman, Sarver, Cabot, Boyers, and Forestville, have post offices and zip codes, but aren't officially incorporated under Pennsylvania law, and exist entirely within townships.

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Butler County.[19]

† county seat

Rank City/town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 census)
1 † Butler City 13,757
2 Fernway (former CDP) CDP 12,414
3 Homeacre-Lyndora CDP 6,906
4 Shanor-Northvue CDP 5,051
5 Meridian CDP 3,881
6 Zelienople Borough 3,812
7 Slippery Rock Borough 3,625
8 Fox Run (former CDP) CDP 3,282
9 Seven Fields Borough 2,887
10 Meadowood CDP 2,693
11 Oak Hills CDP 2,333
12 Slippery Rock University CDP 1,898
13 Evans City Borough 1,833
14 Mars Borough 1,699
15 Saxonburg Borough 1,525
16 Nixon CDP 1,373
17 Prospect Borough 1,169
18 Chicora Borough 1,043
19 Unionville CDP 962
20 Harrisville Borough 897
21 Harmony Borough 890
22 East Butler Borough 732
23 Lake Arthur Estates CDP 594
24 Valencia Borough 551
25 Connoquenessing Borough 528
26 Bruin Borough 524
27 Callery Borough 394
28 West Liberty Borough 343
29 Eau Claire Borough 316
30 Portersville Borough 235
31 Petrolia Borough 212
32 Karns City Borough 209
33 Fairview Borough 198
34 West Sunbury Borough 192
35 Cherry Valley Borough 66
See also: List of films shot in Pittsburgh

Butler County has often been used as a setting for films shot in the North Pittsburgh area. Such films include:

Films set in Butler County, but not necessarily filmed there.

Novels set in Butler County.

Benjamin's Field, a trilogy by local author J. J. Knights[24]

The Pennsic War, an annual medieval camping event by the Society for Creative Anachronism, is fought in Butler County. Its site becomes the fourth most populous place in the county for a few weeks each year.

See also

References
  1. "PHMC Historical Markers Search" (Searchable database). Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  2. "Census - Geography Profile: Butler County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  5. "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Butler County, Pennsylvania".
  13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  14. Pennsylvania Department of State (September 25, 2023). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  15. Holland, B. (2017, December 31). County of Butler, Pennsylvania Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended December 31st 2017. Retrieved from www2.co.butler.pa.us › controller › Butler_CAFR_2017
  16. Butler County Federated Library System. (2015). Butler Area Public Library. Retrieved from https://www.bcfls.org/butler-area-public-library
  17. Butler County Historical Society. (2019). The Little Red Schoolhouse. Retrieved from https://butlerhistory.com/the-little-red-school-house/
  18. Pennsylvania economy league Butler. (1941). The Pennsylvania economy league surveys the Butler public library. Butler, PA.
  19. "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  20. Keener, Craig (2010-07-22). "Stone Church site of sci-fi film" Butler Eagle. Retrieved 2010-08-12.
  21. Stonesifer, Jared (2010-06-09). "Angle Action in Valencia" Butler Eagle. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
  22. "'Avengers' headed this way". blogs.sites.post-gazette.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  23. "'A Separate Life' Mars actress, director takes film to Cannes festival". Butler Eagle. May 26, 2011.
  24. "Login - ButlerEagle.com". www.butlereagle.com. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
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