Skip to content

Butler County

OH · Pop. 389,910 · Urban County

44/100Homestead Score

Butler County sits in Ohio across 467 square miles, home to 389,910 people at 834.9 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, hay, corn. A median home price of $243,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.24% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.6°F and average winter lows of 22.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Fort Hamilton Hospital is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.24%
Growing Season: 180 days
Broadband: 97.9%
Density: 834.9/sq mi

Pros

  • Broadband reaches 97.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Fort Hamilton Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low poverty rate of 11.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • At 834.9 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Butler County, OH is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
44/100
Median home price
$243k
Property tax
1.24%
Growing season
180 days (zone 6b)
Annual rainfall
42.9"
Broadband
97.9%
Nearest hospital
Fort Hamilton Hospital, 1.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.24%
Median Household Income$81,194
Poverty Rate11.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$243K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season180 days
Annual Rainfall42.9 inches
Avg Summer High84.6°F
Avg Winter Low22.8°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Hay, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado10/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalFort Hamilton Hospital (1.7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities8

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.9%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.6%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Butler County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Butler County?
Butler County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.6°F, and average winter lows of 22.8°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $243,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.24%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Fort Hamilton Hospital is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 8 hospitals in the county.

Explore Ohio Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Butler County by distance, including across state lines.

Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.