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CITY · 2020 ACS

Buffalo Center

Iowa · 857 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 $43,971. Population has declined 11% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $84,800. With a median age of 47.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Poverty is rare here, at 5.3% of residents. Households here earn about 29% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 47.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 58%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
857
−11%since 2000
from 963 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
800 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 899 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
47.7
−3%since 2000
from 49.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
7768599421K1K1990201020202024Buffalo Center
2024911
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,971
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,694 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,193
+91%since 2000
from $17,944 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
34.9%
+23.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
5.3%
−3.7 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade12.3%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade12.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Information11.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction7.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance6.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services2.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$84,800
+58%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$531
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $323 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
86.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 85.0% in 2000
13.6% rent
Afford Score
1.9
+66%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic89.7%(769)
Black0.4%(3)
Hispanic / Latino6.2%(53)
Asian0.5%(4)
Other0.2%(2)
Diversity Score17.4%(149)
Diversity Score
17
+146%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.0%
+15.7 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.9%
+11.3 ptssince 2000
from 78.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.2%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.7 min
+4%since 2000
from 14.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
67.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 66.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
1.9%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.0%
+3.2 ptssince 2011
from 5.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
56.2%
−8.5 ptssince 2011
from 64.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.3%
−18.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.3%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
47.7%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
5.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.4%
−90.7 ptssince 2013
from 94.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Buffalo Center to nearby cities

BUFFALO CENTER VS
Fairmont
Income$53,084+21%
Home value$169,900+100%
Population10,099+1118%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO CENTER VS
Albert Lea
Income$64,603+47%
Home value$157,500+86%
Population18,217+2097%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO CENTER VS
Mason City
Income$64,804+47%
Home value$142,000+67%
Population26,853+3139%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO CENTER VS
Austin
Income$68,057+55%
Home value$163,900+93%
Population26,689+3119%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Buffalo Center, Iowa?

Buffalo Center, Iowa has about 857 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Buffalo Center, Iowa earns about $43,971 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 $84,800, and the typical rent is about $531 a month.

How educated are people in Buffalo Center, Iowa?

About 27.0% 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 5.3% 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 219 residents, a change of about -20 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 →