The namesake of the county, Captain William Butler, was killed during the Creek War.

During World War II, a satellite camp for German prisoners was based in Greenville.

Montgomery, the state capital, is 44 miles (71 km) northeast, the closest city to Greenville with a population above 50,000.

[9] As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 7,374 people, 2,356 households, and 1,496 families residing in the city.

33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Prior to the Civil War, cotton farming was the main occupation in Butler County.

During the 1850s, the Mobile and Ohio Railroad constructed a line through Greenville, enabling it to became the center of commerce between Montgomery and south Alabama.

[17] Each September, the city hosts the Butler County Fair, which includes the "Old Time Farm Day" featuring tractor races, blacksmithing and quilting demonstrations.

The local government of Greenville is run by the Mayor and City Council.

[citation needed] The movie Honeydripper (2007), was filmed in locations around Greenville in 2006.