1st Advantage MortgageButler County (12,393 residents) has a $56,092 median household income and $679 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- 12,393 residents: Butler County basics
- What stands out in Butler County
- The Butler County housing market in figures
- How Butler County residents earn a living
- Income in Butler County compared with Kentucky
- Places inside Butler County
- Regional comparison for Butler County
- Butler County demographics against Kentucky
- A Butler County household budget, worked through
- Local borrowing considerations for Butler County
- A Butler County borrower's checklist
- Who licenses lenders for Butler County residents
- Beyond Butler County
- Frequently asked questions
12,393 residents: Butler County basics
With an estimated 12,393 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Butler County ranks 89th of 120 in Kentucky for population. Density: about 29.1 residents per square mile across 426 square miles of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Bowling Green, KY metropolitan area. Morgantown is the biggest of its 3 Census places, at roughly 2,479 people (20% of the county total).
What stands out in Butler County
The 4 Butler County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Kentucky, and what each means for a borrower:
- Few Kentucky counties match Butler County on the share of workers who work from home: 2.1% here, 10.2% for the state, ranking the lowest of 120. Most workers travel to a job here, so commuting costs are part of the budget.
- The uninsured rate: 11.8% in Butler County. Only 4 of 120 Kentucky counties are higher. Hospital payment plans are usually interest-free; compare before a loan.
- The share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 10% in Butler County. Only 7 of 120 Kentucky counties are lower. Lenders weigh income and credit, not schooling.
- On median home value, Butler County sits near the bottom of Kentucky at $111,100, 20th lowest of 120. Lower values mean less equity to tap, so unsecured loans are the usual route.
The Butler County housing market in figures
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $679 in Butler County versus $967 statewide. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 37% in Butler County, 45% statewide. Butler County homes are worth $111,100 at the median, a 2.0-to-1 ratio to income. Owners occupy 74% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1988. Against the median U.S. county, Butler County rent is 23% below.
| Butler County | Kentucky | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 24.3% | 10.7% | +13.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 37% | 45% | -8.2 pts |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 23% | -6.6 pts |
| Vacant units | 16% | 10% | +6.0 pts |
| Owners | 74% | 68% | +5.4 pts |
| Median home value | $111,100 | $205,600 | 46% lower |
| Median gross rent | $679/mo | $967/mo | 30% lower |
With 74% of Butler County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
How Butler County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 29% of employed Butler County residents work in manufacturing and 20% in education and health care. Butler County over-indexes on manufacturing: 29% versus 14% in Kentucky. 4.4% of Butler County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. About 80% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Butler County | Gap to Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 29.4% | +15.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.6% | -4.7 pts |
| Construction | 11.3% | +5.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.0% | 0.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.0% | -4.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.6% | -3.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Income in Butler County compared with Kentucky
At $56,092, the typical Butler County household income is 15% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 65th among Kentucky's 120 county-level areas.
| Band | Butler County | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.5% | +4.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.4% | +5.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.4% | -6.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.8% | -3.5 pts |
On the low end, 32% of Butler County households report under $35,000; at the top, 20% report $100,000-plus. Poverty rate, Butler County: 20.5%; Kentucky: 16.1%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.421 here. For a borrower in Butler County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Places inside Butler County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Butler County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 2,718 residents, leaving about 78% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Morgantown and every other Butler County community use this county guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown | city | 2,479 | $37,604 | $628 | 1 mi |
| Rochester | city | 155 | $78,542 | $943 | 12 mi |
| Woodbury | city | 84 | $70,357 | $1,325 | 3 mi |
Regional comparison for Butler County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Butler County's, from 20 to 26 miles away. Warren County leads the group on income ($65,794), Grayson County trails ($50,757), and Butler County out-earns 3 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler County | - | $56,092 | $679/mo | 74% |
| Warren County, KY | 20 mi | $65,794 | $1,002/mo | 56% |
| Ohio County, KY | 21 mi | $57,798 | $739/mo | 77% |
| Muhlenberg County, KY | 25 mi | $51,927 | $718/mo | 79% |
| Grayson County, KY | 25 mi | $50,757 | $658/mo | 75% |
| Edmonson County, KY | 26 mi | $54,937 | $778/mo | 80% |
| Logan County, KY | 26 mi | $60,382 | $751/mo | 74% |
Butler County demographics against Kentucky
10% of Butler County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 11.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Butler County | Gap to Kentucky | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 9.9% | -17.7 pts | -12.3 pts |
| Work from home | 2.1% | -8.2 pts | -6.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 18.9% | +7.7 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.8% | +5.8 pts | +3.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 20.5% | +4.5 pts | +7.3 pts |
| Median age | 41.5 | +2.4 yrs | +0.0 yrs |
| No vehicle | 8.2% | +1.5 pts | +2.8 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | -0.5 pts | -0.1 pts |
| Commute length | Butler County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.2% |
| 60+ min | 8.0% |
A Butler County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Butler County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $4,674 a month: gross income for a household at the Butler County median
- Less median rent of $679, which is 15% of it
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,004 left for all other debt payments
Homeowners in Butler County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Local borrowing considerations for Butler County
Where the Butler County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- 12% uninsured. In Butler County, ask for an itemized bill and a payment plan first (medical bills).
- Mobile home upkeep. 24% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 21% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
A Butler County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Butler County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Kentucky.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Who licenses lenders for Butler County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Butler County resident can confirm its license with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Kentucky guide covers state rules in more detail.
Beyond Butler County
For statewide rules and data, see the Kentucky guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Butler County rank on income in Kentucky?
65th of 120, with a median of $56,092. The state median is $63,726.
Can a Butler County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $679 median rent and $4,674 median monthly income, rent alone uses 15%; add other debts before a new payment.
Should Butler County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 74% of Butler County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Butler County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Morgantown, Rochester, Woodbury.
Does living in Butler County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Butler County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.