Butler County
County
Butler County Courthouse in Butler, Pennsylvania
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°55′N 79°55′W / 40.91°N 79.91°W / 40.91; -79.91
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
Founded	March 12, 1800
Named for	Richard Butler
Seat	Butler
Largest township	Cranberry Township
Area
• Total	795 sq mi (2,060 km2)
• Land	789 sq mi (2,040 km2)
• Water	6.1 sq mi (16 km2)  0.8%
Population  (2020)
• Total	193,763
• Density	246/sq mi (95/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	16th
Website	www.co.butler.pa.us
Pennsylvania Historical Marker
Designated	June 11, 1982[1]

Butler County is a county in the Commonwealth of 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. The county is part of the Greater Pittsburgh region of the state.^[a]

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

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

• Allegheny River (The river touches Butler County at its northeast and southeast corners. It is both a recreational and industrial waterway.)
• Connoquenessing Creek (recreational canoeing and kayaking)
• Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park (recreational boating, canoeing and kayaking)
• Slippery Rock Creek (recreational canoeing and kayaking)
• Little Connoquenessing Creek
• Bull Creek
• Muddy Creek
• Sullivan Run
• Semiconon Run
• Mulligan Run
• Bear Creek (Allegheny River tributary)

Adjacent counties

• Venango County (north)
• Clarion County (northeast)
• Armstrong County (east)
• Westmoreland County (southeast)
• Allegheny County (south)
• Beaver County (southwest)
• Lawrence County (west)
• Mercer County (northwest)

Demographics

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

Law and government