Butler

Formed January 1, 1855 (7^th county)

Butler County (8,360), David City (3,000)

The current Modern facility, on a square at 5^th, E, 4^th, and D streets, was built in 1964.  Nebraska State Highway 15 is 4^th Street in the town.  A classic 1890 courthouse existed previously in David City, the only county seat.  Raymond H. Reed, Wurdeman & Associates are the architects of this brown/red brick building.  A Justice Center is included in the complex and veteran memorials are on the grounds.  The county was founded on January 1, 1855 as the 7^th county from Greene County, which no longer exists.  It is named for Territorial Governor William O. Butler.  David City is named for settler William Davids.  Another accounting says the county and county seat are named for Governor David Butler. 

Butler County government consists of a sheriff, an attorney, a treasurer and a clerk (executive).  It has 7 Commissioners (legislative.)  Four District Court Judges and Four County Court Judges serve Butler, Boone, Colfax, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Saunders, Seward and York counties (judicial.)  The county is in eastern Nebraska.  Lincoln, Nebraska is southeast and Omaha, Nebraska is east of the county.  The county center is .8 miles South of David City.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Colfax, Dodge, Saunders, Lancaster, Seward, York, Polk, and Platte counties. 

The area of the county is 584 square miles.  It is 44 out of 93 in the state.  It ranks 34 out of 93 in population in the state.  It has a density of 14.3 persons per square mile making it 30 out of 93 in the state.  Butler County has 59.5% of its population in its incorporated areas.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county.  The county is a rectangle with the top eaten off.  David City is located near the center of the county.  David City is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 35.9% of the county population.