Autumn Woods

Butler, Pennsylvania, is a small town less than 35 miles from Pittsburgh. Known for its country character, strong community, industrial history, innovation, and natural surroundings, Butler offers a unique culture of peace, history, and progress. Whether you choose to enjoy the community symphony, a sporting event, or the walkable historic downtown, finding your place in the community is simple. D.R. Horton offers a range of new construction homes in Butler, which feature spacious, open floorplans and smart home technology.

Why live in Butler, PA?

Located in Butler County, Butler offers a suburban setting with easy access to outdoor recreation and shopping. Downtown Butler features a variety of restaurants and craft brew pubs situated among 1800s architecture, providing an outing near home that is fun, convenient, and full of historical beauty. If you’d rather spend time outside, the city maintains several parks for residents to enjoy. Alameda Park, for example, hosts community events throughout the year and offers hiking paths, a public swimming pool, and other recreation options.

Butler’s roads and highways allow for a simple commute to Cranberry Township, about a 20-mile ride on State Route 68, a simple commute. Heading into Pittsburgh, PA is also a popular commute and straightforward drive, located straight down the William Flynn Highway (Route 8) and less than 35 miles away. For air travel, Pittsburgh International Airport is about 45 miles southwest of Butler, offering flights to domestic and international destinations.

Community life in Butler, PA

Butler serves as the county seat of Butler County and provides plenty of opportunities for residents of both the city and the county to gather together. The community events, recreational facilities, and organizations create a welcoming environment for residents seeking a balanced and engaging lifestyle in the Pittsburgh metro area.

Spring is busy in Butler, PA, with plenty of community events to enjoy. The Spring Garden Market, hosted by the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners, is a great way for Butler residents to start the season. They can get advice from certified master gardeners, including proper planting techniques and sustainable gardening practices. The season continues with the Easter Eggstravaganza at Alameda Park. The event includes egg hunts by age group, games for different age levels, and photo ops with the Easter Bunny. The Spring Craft Show at the Butler Farm Show Grounds is another popular gathering, with local artisans displaying handmade jewelry, home decor, and seasonal crafts. As the season moves toward summer, the Memorial Day Parade in downtown Butler includes a procession of military units, high school bands, and community organizations, as residents pay respect to those who served.

Summer events include the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, celebrating Butler's role as the birthplace of the original military Jeep. This event draws Jeep enthusiasts for off-road trail experiences, vehicle parades, and specialty vendors, all while honoring Butler's manufacturing history. The Butler Italian Festival, held on Butler’s Main Street, is another popular event. During the three-day celebration of Italian heritage, residents enjoy authentic Italian food, live music ranging from opera to traditional folk songs, and activities for all ages that celebrate Italian culture and traditions. The Big Butler Fair, one of Pennsylvania's largest agricultural fairs, attracts thousands of visitors. Held at the Big Butler Fairgrounds in Prospect, less than 10 miles from Butler, this multi-day event features extensive livestock shows, carnival rides, musical concerts, and evening fireworks.

As summer transitions into fall, the annual Butler Fall Festival on Main returns to town to usher in the crisp weather. The event features craft and food vendors lining the streets, live entertainment on multiple stages, a car cruise displaying classic vehicles, and activities for all ages. Winter events begin with the Butler Carved in Ice Festival, with professional carvers creating ice sculptures, a chili cook-off by local restaurants, and other activities. The WeihnachtsMarkt, a German Christmas market held at the Harmony Museum, provides a cultural experience with authentic German crafts for holiday shoppers, food specialties including bratwurst and stollen, and musicians performing traditional German Christmas music. The Spirit of Christmas Parade brings holiday cheer to downtown Butler with illuminated floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus arriving to greet children.

Seasonal events are just the beginning of community involvement and connection in Butler. There are also numerous groups in the area that focus on particular interests, ranging from history to beekeeping. The Butler County Historical Society keeps the past alive in Butler by maintaining several historical sites, including the landmark 1828 Lowrie Shaw House, an old settler’s cabin, and a schoolhouse. The Butler County Model Railroad and Historical Society preserves local history through miniature scenes depicting Butler's past. Their displays recreate historical buildings and landscapes that have disappeared over time.

While there are plenty of history-oriented groups in Butler, you can find your people for a wide range of interests. Those interested in art have plenty to enjoy in Butler. Butler’s Maridon Museum, founded by local philanthropist Mary Hulton Phillips, is the only museum in Western Pennsylvania to specialize in Asian art. To create your own art, you can get involved with The Butler Art Center & Gallery, which offers workshops teaching practical techniques from watercolor basics to advanced pottery. Their exhibitions are also community gatherings where artists discuss their creative processes. In Butler, you can also find groups like the Butler County Beekeepers Association, which helps new beekeepers safely establish hives and learn about sustainable honey production, and the Butler County Horseman’s Association, which creates opportunities for beginner to experienced riders without their own facilities to participate in equestrian events.

Outdoor fun in Butler, Pennsylvania

Butler offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. With plenty of parks and activities in the area, there are plenty of ways to get some fresh air. Alameda Park, located within the city, features playgrounds, picnic areas, and a community water park. Preston Park and Succop Nature Park, also in Butler, provide walking trails and an opportunity to learn more about nature, whether it's through birdwatching or walking among a variety of tree species.

Just outside town, Moraine State Park spans over 16,000 acres and includes Lake Arthur, a 3,225-acre lake suitable for boating and fishing. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regularly stocks the lake, and common catches include crappie, bluegill, muskellunge, pike, catfish, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, and walleye. The park also offers hiking trails, including the 14.8-mile Glacier Ridge Trail, as well as opportunities for horseback riding and wildlife observation.

McConnells Mill State Park also offers a variety of outdoor adventures and is located about 20 miles from Butler. The park features hiking trails, rock climbing areas, and scenic views of Slippery Rock Creek. The creek is great for trout and bass fishing and includes a fly-fishing catch-and-release area.

Baseball fans can cheer on the Butler BlueSox, a collegiate summer baseball team of Division I, II, and III players seeking to play in their off-season, who share the goal of becoming professional players. If you’re more of a golf enthusiast, the Butler area has a wide range of courses to play. Aubrey's Dubbs Dred Golf Course, located within the city, is a family-owned 18-hole public course established in 1964. The front nine features gently rolling hills with medium-sized greens and wide, tree-lined fairways. The back nine presents a greater challenge, with fast-breaking greens and more dramatic elevation changes. About four miles from downtown, Krendale Golf Course offers 27 holes across three nine-hole courses, with a green surrounded by water. Krendale accommodates golfers of all skill levels and welcomes walk-ins without tee times.

Businesses and economics in Butler, Pennsylvania

Butler residents have a variety of job opportunities in healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail. Butler Health System, which includes Butler Memorial Hospital, is one of the largest employers in the area. The Butler Area School District also employs many residents in a wide range of roles.

With a strong history of production and innovation, manufacturing and industrial services remain a significant part of Butler’s economy. AK Steel, now part of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., operates a major facility in Butler and hires people with production, engineering, and technical experience. Oberg Industries, just outside Butler in Freeport, employs those with advanced manufacturing and machining skills.

For additional career options, some residents opt to commute about 35 miles to Pittsburgh, which is fairly straightforward thanks to U.S. Route 422 and Route 8 (William Flynn Highway).

New construction homes in Butler

D.R. Horton's new homes in Butler, PA are great for people at any stage of life. With access to job opportunities, community events, and many activities and conveniences, D.R. Horton’s homes for sale in Butler, PA offer something for everyone. Browse our listings of available houses or contact us to learn more about becoming a homeowner.