Butler's housing stock blends older single-family homes with newer residential development in a compact, commuter-oriented setting. The borough's small land area produces a dense streetscape of modest lots and established neighborhoods, with a mix of early-20th-century houses and later construction clustered close to the downtown core. Proximity to transit stops and the town's parks and recreation programs make Butler a practical choice for households seeking a small Morris County community with easy regional access.

Butler is small enough that its neighborhoods flow together around a central downtown and the river that once powered its rubber mills. Residential blocks of older homes surround the commercial core, while newer developments fill in toward the borough's edges. The river corridor and its industrial heritage remain visible today, tying the town's geography and street pattern directly to the hard-rubber industry that originally built the community around it.

Butler combines small-town civic life with commuter practicality. The borough hosts holiday celebrations, maintains a well-used public library, and supports league sports, tennis, and active recreational programs throughout the year. Stonybrook Pool is a favorite local gathering place during the summer months, and nearby shopping centers handle everyday needs. Its long history as an industrial village gives Butler a settled, community-centered feel among the surrounding northern New Jersey suburbs.

The Butler Public Schools serve the borough from kindergarten through twelfth grade in a small district of about three schools and roughly 1,200 students. The district's compact size fosters a close-knit school community, and its schools are a draw for families settling in the borough. Butler High School anchors the district's secondary programs, supported by a town-centered campus setting and strong community participation.

Butler is served by NJ Transit buses to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City, making it a practical commuter town for Manhattan-bound workers. Regional highways through Morris and Passaic counties connect the borough to employment centers across northern New Jersey, and its location in the county's northeastern corner places it near major commuting corridors and nearby retail hubs.

Parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, tennis courts, and organized league sports anchor recreation in Butler, with the Stonybrook Pool complex serving as a seasonal centerpiece for swimmers and families. The borough's active recreation department and compact green spaces serve residents year-round, while nearby Morris County parkland and trails extend outdoor options well beyond the town's two-square-mile footprint. Residents also draw on a mix of neighborhood playgrounds and small pocket parks within walking distance of most homes.