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CITY · 2010 ACS

Buffalo Center

Iowa · 905 residents · 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 $29,306. Population has declined 6% since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $54,000. With a median age of 48.3, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 40% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 48.3
US median: 37.2
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
905
−6%since 2000
from 963 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
845 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 899 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
48.3
−2%since 2000
from 49.4 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
7768599421K1K1990201020202024Buffalo Center
2024911
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$29,306
−25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,694 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,437
+8%since 2000
from $17,944 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
10.2%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
11.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.404
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade16.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Information9%
US avg: 11.5%
Finance & insurance9%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade8.8%
US avg: 7.2%
Professional, scientific, technical5.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction4.5%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services3.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 7%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 3.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$54,000
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,600 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$510
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $323 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
34.1%
−50.9 ptssince 2000
from 85.0% in 2000
18.5% rent
Vacancy rate
14.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
13.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.3%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 40.2% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
1.8
+59%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic92.9%(841)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino6%(54)
Asian0.2%(2)
Other0.9%(8)
Diversity Score16.6%(150)
Diversity Score
17
+135%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
87.5%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 78.6% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
4.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.0% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.4 min
+16%since 2000
from 14.2 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
66.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 66.6% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
1.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
19.5%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.7%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
5.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
13.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.6% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
20.9%
−30.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.7%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
49.3%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
3.2%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
15.9%
−31.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Compare Buffalo Center to nearby cities

BUFFALO CENTER VS
Fairmont
Income$53,084+81%
Home value$169,900+215%
Population10,099+1118%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO CENTER VS
Albert Lea
Income$64,603+120%
Home value$157,500+192%
Population18,217+2097%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO CENTER VS
Mason City
Income$64,804+121%
Home value$142,000+163%
Population26,853+3139%
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BUFFALO CENTER VS
Austin
Income$68,057+132%
Home value$163,900+204%
Population26,689+3119%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Buffalo Center, Iowa?

Buffalo Center, Iowa has about 905 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Buffalo Center, Iowa earns about $29,306 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 $54,000, and the typical rent is about $510 a month.

How educated are people in Buffalo Center, Iowa?

About 13.5% 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 11.5% 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 171 residents, a change of about -16 percent over that period.

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

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