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CITY

Buffalo Center

Iowa · 829 residents (2025 est.) · 1.071 sq mi
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The short version

Buffalo Center has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $52,917. Population has declined 5% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $100,500. With a median age of 59.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 29% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 59.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 55%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
911
−5%since 2000
from 963 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
851 / sq mi
−5%since 2000
from 899 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
59.4
+20%since 2000
from 49.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:829 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7768599421K1K1990201020202024Buffalo Center
2024911
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,917
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,694 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,065
+95%since 2000
from $17,944 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
37.2%
+25.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.416
+3%since 2010
from 0.404 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade15.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade13.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Information10.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance7.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction4.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services2.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$100,500
+55%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$640
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $323 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.6%
−12.4 ptssince 2000
from 85.0% in 2000
27.4% rent
Vacancy rate
11.6%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
62.6%
+22.4 ptssince 2009
from 40.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.9
+64%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
78
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buffalo Center on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.1%(935)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(25)
Asian0.3%(3)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.1%(68)
2024
White, non-Hispanic97%(884)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(16)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.2%(11)
Diversity Score7.2%(66)
Diversity Score
7
+2%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.2%
+15.9 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.7%
+20.0 ptssince 2000
from 78.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.7 min
+38%since 2000
from 14.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
66.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 66.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
1.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
24.5%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.3%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.9%
+5.0 ptssince 2011
from 5.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.0%
−11.7 ptssince 2011
from 64.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.3%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.0%
−19.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
50.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.4%
−36.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.5%
+5.9 ptssince 2012
from 13.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.4%
−88.7 ptssince 2013
from 94.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.4%
+16.9 ptssince 2017
from 74.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.4%
+5.4 ptssince 2016
from 93.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.6%
−3.1 ptssince 2016
from 4.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Head to head

Compare Buffalo Center to nearby cities

BUFFALO CENTER VS
Fairmont
Income$53,084same
Home value$169,900+69%
Population10,099+1118%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO CENTER VS
Albert Lea
Income$64,603+22%
Home value$157,500+57%
Population18,217+2097%
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BUFFALO CENTER VS
Mason City
Income$64,804+22%
Home value$142,000+41%
Population26,853+3139%
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BUFFALO CENTER VS
Austin
Income$68,057+29%
Home value$163,900+63%
Population26,689+3119%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Buffalo Center, Iowa?

Buffalo Center, Iowa has about 911 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Buffalo Center, Iowa?

The typical household in Buffalo Center, Iowa earns about $52,917 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Buffalo Center, Iowa expensive?

In Buffalo Center, Iowa, the median home is worth about $100,500, and the typical rent is about $640 a month.

How educated are people in Buffalo Center, Iowa?

About 27.2% of adults age 25 and over in Buffalo Center, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Buffalo Center, Iowa?

About 8.2% of people in Buffalo Center, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Buffalo Center, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Buffalo Center, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 165 residents, a change of about -15 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →