Butler NJ

Butler is a historic borough located in northern New Jersey’s Morris County. This small town community strikes the perfect balance between scenic beauty and modern livability.

Population

Butler has 8,047 residents within its 2.06 square miles, according to the 2020 census. The population grew 6.7% between 2010 and 2020.

The community is predominantly white, but also includes Hispanic, African American and Asian groups contributing diversity.

History

Butler’s history reaches back to Native American times, with the Lenape inhabiting the area. European settlers arrived in the early 1700s, building an agrarian village. Paper and hard-rubber mills drove its growth.

Butler was incorporated as a borough in 1901 and is today a commuter suburb.

Quality of Life

Butler offers residents a high quality of life. Safe streets, recreational programs, and community events all contribute to making Butler a sought after location to call home.

The vibrant downtown provides entertainment with shopping, dining and nightlife options.

Healthcare

Residents have access to healthcare services within Butler and nearby. Within Butler, private practices, urgent care clinics and non-profit health centers cover essential needs.

Safety

Butler maintains exceptionally low crime rates thanks to attentive community policing and watch groups. Violent offenses are rare in the family-friendly community. Property crime rates sit below state and national figures.

Emergency response services through the Butler Police Department and volunteer fire department are well staffed, trained and equipped. Their swift response provides citizens reliable protection and safety.

Transportation

Butler enjoys great transportation connectivity. Most residents commute by car thanks to nearby highway access and ample downtown parking. For public transit, NJ Transit bus route 194 runs to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.

Local roads conveniently link neighborhoods across town with minimal congestion outside rush hours. Butler’s compact size makes walking or biking viable options to get around.

Shopping and Dining

Butler’s downtown offers an array of boutiques, antique shops, cafes and restaurants that draw regional visitors. Strip malls along Route 23 contain additional shopping and chain eateries.

With walkable access to diverse options, Butler residents can satisfy all their daily living needs locally. Nightlife like live music and comedy add entertainment flavor.

Education

The Butler Public School District serves pre-kindergarten through 12th grade across three schools: Aaron Decker School (K–4), Richard Butler School (grades 5–8) and Butler High School (grades 9–12).

Points of Interest

• Butler Museum: This local history museum, housed in the former NYS&W railroad station on Main Street, has exhibits on Butler’s past.