Editing Butler, Indiana

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Butler, Indiana
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_blank_emblem = Logo of Butler, Indiana.jpg
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| nickname           = 
| image_skyline      = 
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = 
| image_map          = File:DeKalb County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Butler Highlighted 1809532.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location of Butler in [[DeKalb County, Indiana]].
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = [[United States of America|United States]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Indiana]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Indiana|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[DeKalb County, Indiana|DeKalb]]
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Mike Hartman ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]){{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
| area_note          = 
| established_date   = 
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_18.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 16, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 5.11
| area_land_km2      = 5.11
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| population_footnotes = 
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 2635
| population_density_sq_mi = 1334.85
| population_density_km2 = 515.28
| timezone           = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1.97
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1.97
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 869
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|25|41|N|84|52|35|W|region:US-IN|display=inline,title}}
| website            = {{URL|http://www.butler.in.us}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 46721
| area_code          = [[Area code 260|260]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 18-09532<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=butler+indiana |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |website=data.census.gov|access-date=2023-01-22 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2393482<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2393482}}</ref>
| footnotes          = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
}}
'''Butler''' is a city in [[DeKalb County, Indiana|DeKalb County]], [[Indiana]], United States. The population was 2,684 at the 2010 census.

==History==
Butler was [[plat]]ted in 1856 when the railroad was extended to that point.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb__WczAQAAMAAJ | title=History of DeKalb County, Indiana: Together with Sketches of Its Cities, Villages and Towns | publisher=Inter-State Publishing Company | year=1885 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb__WczAQAAMAAJ/page/n1005 962]}}</ref> It was likely named for David Butler, a [[settler|pioneer]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Baker|first=Ronald L.|title=From Needmore to Prosperity: Hoosier Place Names in Folklore and History|url=https://archive.org/details/fromneedmoretopr00bake|url-access=registration|date=October 1995|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=978-0-253-32866-3|page=[https://archive.org/details/fromneedmoretopr00bake/page/83 83]|quote=...the name probably honors David Butler, an early settler...}}</ref> Butler was [[Incorporated community|incorporated]] as a town in 1866, and as a city in 1903.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_sgQUAQAAMAAJ | title=History of Dekalb County, Indiana | publisher=B.F. Bowen & Co. | year=1914 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_sgQUAQAAMAAJ/page/n147 148]}}</ref>

On July 23, 1966, Butler was one of the end points of a record-setting speed run by a [[New York Central]] [[Budd Rail Diesel Car|RDC-3]], [[M-497 Black Beetle]], modified with a pair of jet engines, as the rail line between it and [[Stryker, Ohio|Stryker]], Ohio, was both straight and flat. The car reached a speed of {{convert|183.68|mph|km/h|1|abbr=on}}, 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.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

==Geography==

According to the 2010 census, Butler has a total area of {{convert|2.09|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="census-g001">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1809532
  |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1
  |access-date=2015-07-28
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213044629/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1809532
  |archive-date=2020-02-13
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 1056
|1890= 2521
|1900= 2063
|1910= 1818
|1920= 1745
|1930= 1643
|1940= 1794
|1950= 1914
|1960= 2176
|1970= 2394
|1980= 2509
|1990= 2601
|2000= 2725
|2010= 2684
|2020= 2635
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="GR2" /> of 2010, there were 2,684 people, 951 households, and 668 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1284.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,089 housing units at an average density of {{convert|521.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.9% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.3% of the population.

There were 951 households, of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.8% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.17.

The median age in the city was 33.7 years. 29.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.1% were from 25 to 44; 22.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 2,725 people, 983 households, and 699 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,523.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,075 housing units at an average density of {{convert|601.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.69% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.15% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.18% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.11% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.25% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.62% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.24% of the population.

There were 983 households, out of which 40.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.8% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,250, and the median income for a family was $42,188. Males had a median income of $32,361 versus $21,404 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $15,040. About 5.5% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
[[File:Butler Indiana crossroads.jpg|thumb|The view from downtown Butler, Indiana, looking north past the major intersection between U.S. Highway 6 and State Road 1.]][[File:Butler Indiana home.jpg|thumb|A distinctive home along State Road 1 on the north side of Butler, Indiana]]The government consists of a [[mayor]] and a Common Council, often referred to as the [[city council]]. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote. The city council consists of five members, four of whom are elected from Butler's four individual districts. The remaining councilperson is elected at large. The city council is responsible for hearing and passing [[local ordinance|ordinances]] that become law; town meetings occur on the first and third Monday of each month at 7 PM.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.butler.in.us/government/elected_officials.php|website=City of Butler, Indiana|title=Elected Officials|access-date=2023-01-22}}</ref>

==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. Jeff Jones has been the editor of the bulletin since 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kpcnews.com/site/about.html|title=About Us - KDC Media Group Inc.|access-date=2023-01-22|quote=The Butler Bulletin, serving eastern DeKalb County, Ind., was purchased by KPC Media Group Inc. in December 2005, from publisher Joe Shelton, who founded the newspaper in 1976. The editor is Jeff Jones, who has worked for the weekly since 1985.}}</ref>

==Education==
The city of Butler lies in the school district of [[Schools in DeKalb County|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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.in.gov/library/files/PL-Directory-2023.pdf | title=Indiana public library directory | publisher=[[Indiana State Library]] | access-date=2023-01-22}}</ref> 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)|Jeff Berry]], [[Ku Klux Klan]] leader
* [[Nemo Leibold]], outfielder for [[Chicago White Sox]] in both the [[1917 World Series|1917]] and [[1919 World Series]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.butler.in.us/ City of Butler, Indiana website]
* [http://www.butlerpubliclibrary.net/ Butler Public Library]

{{DeKalb County, Indiana}}
{{Fort Wayne Metro}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Indiana]]
[[Category:Cities in DeKalb County, Indiana]]
[[Category:1856 establishments in Indiana]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1856]]