How Butler County’s growing population could change the rules
Summary: Butler County’s growing population could allow for a convention center, a crime detection laboratory or an assistant county solicitor.
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If the rate of population growth in Butler County continues, then the year 2030 could bring some changes to the powers at the county government’s disposal.
A population of at least 210,000 residents would allow Butler County to potentially upgrade from its current fourth-class standing to third-class, joining Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Erie, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Northampton, Westmoreland, and York counties. This would open new rights and responsibilities currently unavailable to Butler County’s fourth-class government.
For instance, commissioners of third class counties are permitted by the Pennsylvania county code to establish a crime detection laboratory and police training school; or establish a park police force, a right only available for counties adjacent to a second-class county, such as Allegheny.
In addition, counties of the third class or second class are empowered to name an assistant county solicitor position.
“There is an entire different legal and administrative framework for counties designated as third class,” said county Commissioner Kim Geyer. “For example, under budget and debt management, third-class counties can borrow money for services and facilities, but any bond approvals cannot exceed 300% of the county’s base borrowing power without resident approval.”
Third-class counties are also empowered to create an authority to build and develop a county convention center.
As of 2025, only 17 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are third-class or higher.
