Butler is a city in DeKalb County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, Butler had a population of 2,635.

History

Butler was platted in 1856 when the railroad was extended to that point. It was likely named for David Butler, a pioneer. Butler was incorporated as a town in 1866, and as a city in 1903.

On July 23, 1966, Butler was one of the end points of a record-setting speed run by a New York Central RDC-3, M-497 Black Beetle, modified with a pair of jet engines, as the rail line between it and Stryker, Ohio, was both straight and flat. The car reached a speed of , an American rail speed record that still stands today.

The Downtown Butler Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, Butler has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Butler had a population of 2,635. The median age was 35.2 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.6 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 991 households in Butler, of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 38.3% were married-couple households, 21.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Local newspaper

Butler is served by the Butler Bulletin, published weekly by KPC Media. They acquired it in December 2005 from its founder Joe Shelton. Joe had been publishing the newspaper since 1976.

Education

The city of Butler lies in the school district of DeKalb County Eastern Community Schools. The local schools city residents attend are:

  • Butler Elementary
  • Eastside Junior-Senior High School
  • Riverdale Elementary

Public library

The city of Butler is served by the Butler Public Library. The library completed an expansion and renovation project in August 2009, nearly doubling its size. The expansion included a new Children's Department and Story Time Room, a new community room, Teen Zone and Genealogy Room.

Notable people

  • Jeff Berry, Ku Klux Klan leader
  • Nemo Leibold, outfielder for Chicago White Sox in both the 1917 and 1919 World Series.

References

  • City of Butler, Indiana website
  • Butler Public Library