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CITY

Buffalo

Illinois · 437 residents (2025 est.) · 0.345 sq mi
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The short version

Buffalo has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,250. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $112,100. With a median age of 45.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 33% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 45.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 9%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
482
−2%since 2000
from 491 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,397 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 1,423 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
45.9
+26%since 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:437 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3404004605205801990201020202024Buffalo
2024482
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,250
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,250 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,113
+69%since 2000
from $19,637 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
34.5%
+9.1 ptssince 2009
from 25.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.6%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 10.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.506
+21%since 2010
from 0.418 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance9%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration8%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical6.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services2.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Retail trade2%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.2%
Wholesale trade1.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$112,100
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$533
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $263 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
69.5%
−4.8 ptssince 2000
from 74.4% in 2000
30.5% rent
Vacancy rate
10.0%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
27.0%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.3%
+20.6 ptssince 2009
from 32.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.0
+7%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
43
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buffalo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.3%(473)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(6)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.6%(18)
2024
White, non-Hispanic87.1%(420)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(7)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other11.2%(54)
Diversity Score28.5%(137)
Diversity Score
28
+692%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.6%
+13.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.5%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 85.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.0%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 5.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.7 min
+39%since 2000
from 17.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.8%
−10.3 ptssince 2009
from 90.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
1.6%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
14.0%
+14.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.6%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.6%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.1%
+3.0 ptssince 2011
from 3.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.8%
−5.1 ptssince 2011
from 58.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.6%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
47.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.9% in 2009
Female
52.1%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 54.1% in 2009
Foreign born
6.6%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.4%
−38.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.0%
+1.3 ptssince 2012
from 20.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.1%
−89.1 ptssince 2013
from 93.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.8%
+21.8 ptssince 2017
from 65.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2016
from 97.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.5%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 1.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Buffalo

Hastings
Pop 432
Everglades
Pop 399
Sopchoppy
Pop 487
Hickox
Pop 520
Places similar to Buffalo
Head to head

Compare Buffalo to nearby cities

BUFFALO VS
Springfield
Income$66,064+17%
Home value$162,100+45%
Population112,989+25756%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO VS
Chatham
Income$106,773+90%
Home value$243,200+117%
Population14,579+3236%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO VS
Taylorville
Income$57,552+2%
Home value$104,100−7%
Population10,522+2308%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO VS
Lincoln
Income$57,340+2%
Home value$124,300+11%
Population12,981+2870%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Buffalo, Illinois?

Buffalo, Illinois has about 482 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Buffalo, Illinois?

The typical household in Buffalo, Illinois earns about $56,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Buffalo, Illinois expensive?

In Buffalo, Illinois, the median home is worth about $112,100, and the typical rent is about $533 a month.

How educated are people in Buffalo, Illinois?

About 25.6% of adults age 25 and over in Buffalo, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Buffalo, Illinois?

About 16.6% of people in Buffalo, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Buffalo, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Buffalo, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 39 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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

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