Butler has a rural, small-town lifestyle in DeKalb County
With a population of approximately 2,700, Butler offers a small-town lifestyle in northern Indiana. Downtown Butler was damaged by fires in 2015, but has since been renovated to preserve longstanding businesses and host family-friendly events. “It's a really small, tight-knit community, and everyone knows each other. There’s something desirable from that small-town atmosphere, and it's away from the hustle and bustle,” says Realtor Rebecca Maldeney, who works with North East Indiana Realty and has over two decades of expertise in the area. Over 30 miles from the nearest major metro, Butler is ideal for those who want a quiet lifestyle surrounded by the countryside, where dairy farms and cornfields flourish.
Bungalows, ranch-style homes and multiacre lots in Butler
Anchored by Broadway Street, central Butler consists of grid-style blocks of historical single-family homes. Many have simple landscaping, with a few maple or evergreen trees shading the lawns. The architecture in the area includes Craftsman bungalows, while the east side of Butler has many midcentury ranch-style homes. These styles range from $100,000 to $250,000. Contemporary houses on the west side of Butler range between $180,000 and $550,000. On the outskirts of the community, barns and open farmland provide a rural atmosphere. Multiacre lots of undeveloped land range from $310,000 to $1 million. “It’s a pleasant little rural community without a lot going on. It's very affordable,” Maldeney says. The town's median sales price is $180,000, compared to the nearby city of Auburn’s median of $270,000.
Local retail in downtown Butler
In the center of the city, Broadway Street is the area’s walkable downtown of local businesses. The restaurants include the mainstay Broadway Cafe, a hometown diner that serves all-day breakfast. “It was really good and reasonably priced,” Maldeney says. For nightlife, Route 6 Bar and Grill has drinks, pool and karaoke. The family-owned store Worker’s World has provided the community with clothing and work boots for over 50 years. However, the area doesn't have many other shops, with a number of empty storefronts. On the west side of town, Butler Food Center offers grocery shopping. Auburn, the county seat, has more dining and shopping options, located about 15 miles west of the community.
Events like the Spring Monster Motor Show and Butler Days Festival
On the west side of Butler, the International Monster Truck Museum houses an array of historic monster trucks. The museum’s annual Spring Monster Motor Show features classic cars and more vehicles. Butler Days Festival, the community’s biggest event, has three days of activities in August. It offers craft vendors, monster truck rides, live music, hot air balloons and a fireworks show in downtown Butler. In October, the annual Harvest Festival brings wagon rides and a pumpkin decorating contest to downtown.
Schools from Butler Elementary to Eastside Junior/Senior High
On Niche, Butler Elementary School has a C-plus rating. Eastside Junior/Senior High School receives a B-minus rating. The high school’s extracurriculars include Future Farmers of America and Interact Group, which performs community service for local organizations.
Recreation areas, including Maxton Park and Southside Park
In the northeast part of the city, Maxton Park provides a disc golf course and a playground, plus access to Big Run creek. Southside Park has a walking trail, a picnic pavilion and a playground. Butler Public Library is central in the community and is adjacent to Hathaway Park, which offers a ball field. The park also has a covered picnic area, ideal for reading outside, and a swingset. For an indoor option, Butler Bowl & Recreation Center has bowling and an arcade on the east side of the city.
Local manufacturing companies and a 35-mile commute to Fort Wayne
Some of the community’s major employers include manufacturers like Janus International Group and Multimatic Indiana. “It's a fairly rural area with a lot of jobs, which is surprising. It’s 20 minutes from anything, which is why it's never been a hot spot, but it depends on how you look at it,” Maldeney says. “There’s a lot of industry and a ton of good-paying factory jobs.” Via Interstate 69, Butler is about 35 miles from downtown Fort Wayne. The community is about 45 miles from Fort Wayne International Airport for commercial flights. The Ohio border is about 3 miles east.
