Butler

History

When Choctaw County was formed in 1847, Butler was created as the county seat. The town was located and settled in 1848. It is named in honor of Colonel Pierce Butler, a soldier killed in the Mexican–American War.

Geography

Butler is located in north-central Choctaw County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town had a total area of 5.6 square miles (14.4 km2), all land.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Butler has a humid subtropical climate (abbreviated Cfa).

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Butler had a population of 1,871. The median age was 43.1 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 86.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 80.3 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 838 households in Butler, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 36.2% were married-couple households, 22.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 38.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 998 housing units, of which 16.0% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 17.8%.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,894 people, 826 households, and 488 families residing in the city. The population density was 340 inhabitants per square mile (130/km2). There were 958 housing units at an average density of 171 per square mile (66/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 71.4% White, 26.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, and 0.7% from two or more races. 0.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 826 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% were married couples living together, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,173, and the median income for a family was $67,031. Males had a median income of $49,194 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,284. About 7.8% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public education is provided by the Choctaw County School District.

Choctaw County High School (grades 7 through 12)

Choctaw County Elementary School (grades K through 6)

Patrician Academy is a private school (grades pre K through 12) located in Butler.

Media

The Choctaw Sun-Advocate is the county's only print newspaper. The Choctaw Sun was established in 2003, later merging with the historic Choctaw Advocate, established in 1890, to form the Choctaw Sun-Advocate in 2006.

Radio

WKLV-FM 93.5 FM K-Love (Contemporary Christian)

WDLG 90.1 FM (Catholic)

Notable people

Leon Bibb, first African American primetime news anchor in Ohio

Eric Dubose, Major League Baseball pitcher

Ty Herndon, country music singer

Thomas Hopkins, NFL player

Ced Landrum, Major League Baseball outfielder

Phillip Lolley, administrator for the football team at Auburn University

Kendrick Office, NFL player

Johnny Ruffin, Major League Baseball pitcher

Donald C. Simmons, Jr., writer, poet and documentary film producer

George W. Taylor, former U.S. Representative for the 1st District of Alabama

Brian Witherspoon, National Football League cornerback

Transportation

Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound Lines.