In the early days, the economy had been focused on farming and ranching. This all changed in the fall of 1915, when a drilling rig owned by Wichita Natural Gas struck oil on the John Stapleton farm north of town. Word spread like wildfire and the rush was on. Butler's economy changed almost overnight. Land prices skyrocketed as men sought black gold from deep within the earth. New shops and businesses cropped up almost immediately to meet the demands of thousands of incoming workers. Oil Hill and El Dorado experienced enormous growth and by 1918 their population totaled almost 20,000. In a single year, more than 28 million barrels of crude oil were produced.

Butler County has many historic sites and attractions. The Kansas Oil Museum itself contains over 100 years of history on a 10-acre exhibit. There are also many events held year-round, including the Prairie Port Festival, a weeklong event in the summer with parades, a carnival, concerts and even a beauty pageant.

For recreation, El Dorado Lake with over 98 miles of shoreline has much to offer. It is located northeast of the city at the edge of the scenic Flint Hills. Fishing, swimming, and boating, along with extensive hiking and biking trails, provide an abundance of choices. There are almost 1,100 campsites to choose from and 6,000 acres are available for public hunting. Four recreational areas located near the lake are Boulder Bluff, Shady Creek, Bluestem Point, and Lost Lake. Twelve city parks are also scattered throughout El Dorado.

There are many existing and planned industrial parks in Butler County, Kansas and many incentives in place to attract new businesses. Industries include oil, refining, aviation, farming, ranching, and many others. Butler County is conveniently situated on two major highways, US-54 & US-77, and has four entrances to the Kansas Turnpike and I-35. Shipping costs are lower due to the placement of these highways.

The airports of Augusta, Benton and El Dorado also serve the county. Commercial jets can use Jabara Airport, only 30 minutes away at Wichita Mid-Continent Airport. Two first-class railroads, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific have operations in the county, providing the region with excellent long-haul capabilities.