The State That Makes Almost Half Of The Butter In The US

If you asked a random American what state produced the lion's share of U.S. butter, it's a fair assumption that their answer would focus somewhere in the Midwest. Would it be Wisconsin, which is known for its cheese and butter burgers? Or maybe Iowa, with its flat, rolling plains that are ideal for grazing cattle? Surprise, surprise: the most butter-riffic state in America is actually California. In 2023, Cali was responsible for no less than 48.8% of all butter produced in the United States. While that number fell rather drastically to 37.9% in 2024 (due to decreased milk production, the result of an avian influenza outbreak that also affected dairy cows), California still led the pack.

Americans are passionate about their butter. The year 2024 was a record one for domestic butter production, with over 2.2 billion pounds of the stuff being churned coast to coast. Whether U.S. consumers are using butter for baking or even substituting butter plus milk as a swap for heavy cream, we clearly can't get enough of the stuff. And, while our own pick for the best butter brand at the grocery store is Kerrygold Irish Butter, we'll admit that California butter is no slouch. Challenge Butter, a California stalwart, has been praised by numerous outlets and reviewers for its smoothness.

On Reddit, a lively bicoastal discussion of butter shed some light on the difference between East Coast and West Coast butter. In short, most agreed that East Coast sticks are long and thin, while West Coast quarters are short and fat! This means that, if you are the type to leave butter out on the counter, you might need a differently-shaped butter dish depending on where you live or the brand you purchase. But squat shape isn't the only thing that gives California butter its unique qualities.

California dairy farmers largely support initiatives to reduce the state's agricultural carbon footprint, widely nourish cows with feed that would otherwise end up in landfills, and are steadily decreasing the amount of water wasted in the process of producing a gallon of milk. The result is delicious butter that not only tastes good, but may help you feel good about supporting domestic dairy industries and local jobs. California's mild climate and rich soil make it ideal for year-round dairy production, which is something that can't be said for other major players in the American agricultural industry. So, the next time you see Californian butter at Costco, slow down and consider grabbing a package. You may be surprised at the quality and richness of butter that came right from the West Coast of the United States.