Butternut, WI

Wisconsin

Butternut is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 421. Residents earn $43,750 per year, which is 42% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
421 Population 266/sq mi density
$43,750 Median Income $37,920 per capita
$74,300 Home Value $212,865 Zillow
$623 Median Rent 22.5% income on rent
41°F Avg Temperature 249 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$43,750 median income, 1.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$74,300 home value, $623/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,750
42% lower than US avg
Home Value $74,300
74% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.1%
58% lower than US avg
Median Rent $623
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.6%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.4%
24% higher than US avg

How Butternut Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population421
Median Age48.5 yrs
Density266/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans8.0%

Economy

B
Median Income$43,750
Per Capita$37,920
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty15.4%
County GDP$235M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$74,300
Rent$623
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$212,865
Housing Units248
Rent Burden22.5%

Health

Obesity39.6%
Uninsured8.9%
Smoking16.8%
Depression25.9%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F (5°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain37.5 in/yr
Sunny Days249/yr
Elevation1,507 ft (459 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.1%
High School+95.4%
Graduate+3.0%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 36%
Commute19 min
Broadband73.8%
Libraries2

Is Butternut a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Butternut receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Butternut offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Butternut is $43,750, 42% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. The poverty rate of 15.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Butternut is $74,300, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $623 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

14.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Butternut has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 249 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 37.5 inches, including 134.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Butternut has a population of 421 with a density of 266 people per square mile. The median age is 48.5 years, 25% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.6%), with 2.4% Hispanic.

Population

421
Total Population
266
People / sq mi
48.5yrs
Median Age
25% above US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.7%
Female 52.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Butternut vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.5%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.5%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Butternut vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Butternut is $43,750, which is 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Butternut vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,750
42% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,920
Avg Weekly Wage$779
IRS Avg AGI$60,358

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.4%
24% above US avg
Establishments (County)228
County GDP$235M

Business (County)

Restaurants41
Healthcare16
Retail24
Manufacturing9

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,800
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.46%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.3 min
Drive Alone81.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Butternut is $74,300, 74% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $623 (46% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $212,865.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$74,300
74% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$212,865

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$623
46% below US avg
Rent Burden22.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$797
1 Bedroom$872
2 Bedrooms$1,097
3 Bedrooms$1,405
4 Bedrooms$1,572

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied56.5%
Housing Units248
Median Year Built1962

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,800
37% above US avg
Effective Rate6.46%
In Butternut, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.9% of residents lack health insurance. 16.8% are current smokers. 25.9% report depression. 28.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Butternut vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.6%
23% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure28.6%
Asthma10.9%
COPD6.3%
Cancer7.1%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.8%
20% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.1%
Physical Inactivity28.0%
Depression25.9%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress13.1%
Short Sleep33.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.9%
Uninsured8.9%
3% above US avg
Checkup Rate73.5%
Dental Visits62.0%
Premature Death5,870/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access47.1%
Healthcare Facilities16
Butternut has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.5 inches. The area enjoys 249 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average41.3°F
24% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days249 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.5 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall134.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,507 ft (459 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²)
Population Density266/sq mi
Coordinates46.0133°N, 90.4974°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS55051
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 14.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 26.2-point margin. 73.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.7%
D 36.5%

Winner: Republican by 26.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.1%
58% below US avg
High School+95.4%
Graduate Degree+3.0%
School Test Score5.81
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density266/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access73.8%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities16
Restaurants41
Retail Stores24

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.3 min
Drive Alone81.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.9%

Nearby Cities

Park Falls, WI 2,308 pop · 5.9 mi Phillips, WI 1,546 pop · 22.5 mi Lac du Flambeau, WI 1,619 pop · 29.0 mi Hurley, WI 1,438 pop · 32.8 mi Ironwood, MI 5,004 pop · 34.6 mi Bessemer, MI 1,778 pop · 38.6 mi Wakefield, MI 1,789 pop · 41.9 mi Little Round Lake, WI 1,233 pop · 41.9 mi Ashland, WI 7,884 pop · 43.2 mi Hayward, WI 2,549 pop · 47.6 mi Ladysmith, WI 3,152 pop · 47.9 mi Washburn, WI 1,858 pop · 49.7 mi Tomahawk, WI 3,416 pop · 52.9 mi Rhinelander, WI 8,248 pop · 57.8 mi
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