Butler County

Here are the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates for Butler County, Kansas.

Population

• Total population (2023 estimate): ~67,900

Age

• Median age: ~38
• Under 18: ~24%
• 65 and over: ~17%

Sex

• Female: ~49.5%
• Male: ~50.5%

Race and ethnicity (percent of total)

• White (alone): ~86–87%
• Black or African American (alone): ~2%
• American Indian/Alaska Native (alone): ~1–1.5%
• Asian (alone): ~0.7%
• Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander (alone): ~0.1%
• Two or more races: ~9%
• Hispanic or Latino (any race): ~6%

Households

• Number of households: ~25,900
• Average household size: ~2.6
• Family households: ~69% of households (married-couple families ~52%)
• Nonfamily households: ~31%
• Households with children under 18: ~30%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 Population Estimates; 2019–2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. If you need the exact table values and margins of error, say which tables you prefer (e.g., DP05, DP02).

Butler County, KS snapshot (estimates)

• Users: ~45,000–50,000 adult email users. Basis: ~67k residents, ~77% adults, and ~90% of adults use email (Pew/U.S. averages).
• Age: Email use is near-universal in 18–49 (95–99%), very high in 50–64 (90–95%), and lower but majority in 65+ (~75–85%). Expect slightly lower adoption in the most rural senior populations.
• Gender: Essentially even; men and women both around ~90% email adoption nationally, so local split is near 50/50.
• Digital access trends: Most households have some form of broadband (mid-to-high 80% is typical for Kansas counties), with a minority smartphone‑only (~10–15%). Suburban parts of Butler (Andover, Augusta, El Dorado, tied to the Wichita metro) generally show higher broadband adoption and speeds; rural townships see more reliance on DSL/fixed wireless and higher no‑subscription rates.
• Local density/connectivity context: Largest Kansas county by land area (1,447 sq mi) with low overall density (46 people/sq mi). Connectivity clusters along the US‑54/400 and I‑35 corridors and in population centers, with service gaps increasing east/south into sparsely populated areas.

Notes: Figures are derived from U.S. Census/ACS and Pew national benchmarks applied to Butler County’s population; actual local rates may vary slightly.

Summary: Mobile phone usage in Butler County, Kansas (distinctive trends vs statewide)

Topline

• Estimated smartphone users: 46,000–50,000 residents (age 13+) out of ~68,000 total population. This reflects high adult adoption and very high teen adoption, consistent with suburban counties adjacent to a major metro (Wichita).
• Households with at least one smartphone: roughly 92–94% (in line with recent ACS S2801 patterns for similar-sized KS counties).
• Smartphone‑only households (no fixed home internet): an estimated 12–15% locally, likely below the Kansas statewide share (often ~17–20%) because of stronger cable/fiber availability in the county’s cities and higher multi‑device ownership.

How this was estimated

• Population from recent Census/ACS estimates for Butler County; adoption rates aligned to Pew/NTIA patterns for similar suburban counties and ACS S2801 smartphone ownership. Adult adoption ~88–92%, teens ~93–96%, seniors ~70–80%. Final county ranges are rounded to avoid false precision.

Demographic breakdown (directional)

• Age
  • Teens (13–17): 93–96% smartphone adoption; ~4,000–4,300 users.
  • Adults 18–64: 88–92% adoption; ~34,000–37,000 users.
  • Seniors 65+: 70–80% adoption; ~7,500–9,000 users.
  • Distinct from KS overall: slightly higher teen and working‑age adoption and usage intensity due to suburban schools/commuting ties to Wichita.
• Income
  • Smartphone‑only dependence concentrated among lower‑income households, but likely a smaller share than the statewide average because Andover/Augusta/El Dorado have broader cable/fiber footprints than many rural KS counties.
• Race/ethnicity
  • County population is majority White non‑Hispanic, with smaller Hispanic/Latino and Black populations than KS’s urban counties. Where present, national/state patterns hold: higher smartphone dependence (and higher prepaid share) among lower‑income and minority households. At the county level this yields pockets of smartphone‑only households rather than a countywide effect.

Digital infrastructure highlights

• 4G/5G coverage
  • All three national MNOs (AT&T, T‑Mobile, Verizon) cover population centers (Andover, Augusta, El Dorado, Rose Hill) and major corridors (I‑35/Kansas Turnpike, US‑54/400, K‑254). T‑Mobile’s mid‑band 5G footprint from Wichita extends into western/central Butler; Verizon C‑band and AT&T 5G+ are strongest near the metro corridors and towns.
  • Rural eastern/northeastern areas and around El Dorado Lake can show spotty mid‑band 5G and more low‑band 5G/LTE, with occasional dead zones in low‑lying and wooded terrain.
• Speeds and capacity (directional)
  • Mid‑band 5G in the western half of the county typically delivers strong everyday performance and better indoor coverage than many rural KS areas; speeds taper moving east/northeast. Peak‑hour congestion is most noticeable along US‑54/400 and K‑254 during commute times and around school campuses.
• Fixed wireless access (FWA)
  • 5G FWA (T‑Mobile/Verizon) has meaningful uptake in exurban and fringe rural areas lacking fiber/modern cable and as a price‑competitive option in town. This FWA penetration is higher than much of rural Kansas but lower than dense urban counties.
• Fiber/backhaul and anchors
  • Multiple fiber routes follow the Turnpike and state highways; towns have incumbent cable/telco footprints and business‑class fiber to anchors (Butler Community College in El Dorado and Andover, K‑12 districts, libraries, city/county facilities, and Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital). These anchors support robust mobile backhaul and public Wi‑Fi in town centers.
• Public safety
  • FirstNet Band 14 presence along major corridors and in cities; severe weather risk (tornadoes) makes network resiliency and deployables relevant. Coverage is typically stronger than in many rural KS counties due to proximity to Wichita assets.

How Butler County differs from Kansas overall

• Earlier/denser mid‑band 5G: Western/central Butler benefits from Wichita’s 5G buildouts, so average mobile speeds and indoor coverage are better than Kansas’s largely rural counties, though not as fast as Johnson County.
• Lower smartphone‑only share: More households have both mobile and fixed broadband compared with statewide averages; smartphone‑only reliance exists but is concentrated in specific lower‑income pockets rather than countywide.
• Commuter‑driven usage: Clear rush‑hour peaks and school‑area hotspots; network planning is more “suburban” than “rural,” unlike many KS counties.
• Higher youth/family usage: Above‑average teen penetration and heavy use of school and sports apps; slightly higher multi‑line family plan penetration than the state average is likely.
• Coverage gaps are localized: Dead zones are tied to terrain/water and low‑density fringes, not countywide—contrasting with broader gaps common in western Kansas.

Implications and opportunities

• Target capacity, not just coverage: Add/upgrade sites and mid‑band sectors along US‑54/400, K‑254, and near schools/colleges for peak‑hour relief.
• Keep expanding FWA: Strong fit for exurban/rural addresses; backhaul is available from nearby fiber routes.
• Digital equity: Even with lower countywide smartphone‑only rates, ensure subsidized plans, device support, and public Wi‑Fi reach lower‑income pockets in El Dorado/Augusta/Andover.
• Resilience: Prioritize backup power and rapid deployables around El Dorado Lake, state park, and tornado‑prone corridors.

Notes on data confidence

• County‑level smartphone ownership and smartphone‑only estimates are derived from ACS S2801 patterns, Pew/NTIA adoption by age/income, and the county’s demographics; figures are given as ranges. Carrier coverage and performance points are based on FCC maps and widely reported 5G rollout patterns in the Wichita metro as of 2023–2024. For planning, validate with current FCC BDC filings, drive tests, and carrier availability/FWA portals at specific addresses.

Below is an estimate-based snapshot. County-specific social-media data isn’t published directly; figures are modeled from U.S./Kansas benchmarks (Pew, DataReportal, Census ACS) and adjusted for Butler County’s age mix and suburban–rural profile.

Headline numbers

• Population: ~68,000 residents
• Estimated monthly social media users (age 13+): ~45,000 (range 43,000–47,000), or ~78–82% of 13+ residents

Age mix of users (share of users)

• 13–17: ~8%
• 18–24: ~13%
• 25–34: ~18%
• 35–44: ~19%
• 45–54: ~16%
• 55–64: ~14%
• 65+: ~12%

Gender breakdown (share of users)

• Women: ~53%
• Men: ~47% Note: Platform skews vary (Pinterest more women; Reddit/X more men).

Most-used platforms (share of county social-media users, monthly)

• YouTube: ~75–80%
• Facebook: ~72–78%
• Facebook Messenger: ~55–60%
• Instagram: ~40–45%
• TikTok: ~30–35% (heavy among under-35)
• Snapchat: ~25–30% overall; ~55–70% among ages 13–24
• Pinterest: ~25–30% (majority women, DIY/home focus)
• LinkedIn: ~18–22% (higher in Andover/commuters to Wichita)
• X (Twitter): ~15–18%
• Reddit: ~12–15%
• WhatsApp: ~10–15% (smaller but growing, family/intl ties)

Behavioral trends to know

• Facebook is the community backbone: school districts, youth sports, churches, local government/sheriff updates, weather alerts, buy/sell/trade groups, and Marketplace are highly active.
• Video rules engagement: short-form via Reels/TikTok; YouTube for how‑to, DIY, hunting/fishing, small engine repair, home projects.
• Timing: peaks evenings 7–10 pm; secondary bumps at lunch (11:30–1) and Sunday nights. Weekend mornings strong for Facebook.
• Events drive spikes: county fair, high school athletics, Butler Community College sports, city festivals. Local news (Wichita TV stations) gets heavy sharing during storms/severe weather.
• Messaging over email: residents commonly DM businesses on Facebook/Instagram for hours, quotes, and appointments.
• Shopping/intent: strong Marketplace culture; local promos, giveaways, and event sponsorships outperform generic ads. Geo-targeting around Andover, El Dorado, Augusta, and the US‑54/400 & I‑35 corridors works well.
• Demographic nuances:
  • 13–24: Snapchat/TikTok for daily chatter/entertainment; IG for highlights.
  • 25–44: Facebook + IG for parenting, schools, home/yard, fitness; heavy Stories/Reels consumption.
  • 45–64: Facebook Groups, local news, DIY, faith-based content; Pinterest for projects/recipes.
  • 65+: Primarily Facebook; prefer straightforward posts, larger text, and links.
• Trust/authority: Public safety and school updates get outsized engagement; clear, factual, locally anchored posts perform best. Controversial/political topics draw comments but not always positive sentiment.

Notes

• Use these as directional ranges for planning; verify with first‑party insights (Page analytics, ad platform reach estimates, local surveys) before committing budgets.