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CITY

Buffalo

Minnesota · 16,878 residents (2025 est.) · 7.761 sq mi
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The short version

Buffalo has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $88,820. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 63% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $314,400.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.6
US median: 38.9
Average education
32% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 41%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,499
+63%since 2000
from 10,097 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,126 / sq mi
+63%since 2000
from 1,301 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.6
+20%since 2000
from 32.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:16,878 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6K9K12K15K17K1990201020202024Buffalo
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$88,820
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $49,573 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$39,807
+86%since 2000
from $21,424 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
58.5%
+20.5 ptssince 2009
from 37.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.9%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 5.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.386
+7%since 2010
from 0.360 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade9.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Information9.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration5.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical4.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$314,400
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $122,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,182
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $541 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
74.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 72.1% in 2000
25.7% rent
Vacancy rate
2.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
27.7%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 31.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
43.8%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 42.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.5
+43%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
49
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buffalo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.1%(9,701)
Black0.5%(53)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(112)
Asian0.7%(67)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.7%(580)
2024
White, non-Hispanic91.7%(15,130)
Black0.2%(30)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(419)
Asian1.9%(311)
Other3.7%(609)
Diversity Score19.6%(3,232)
Diversity Score
20
+241%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.0%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 23.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.8%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 87.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.5%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.5 min
+20%since 2000
from 22.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 77.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.6%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.6%
+9.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.9%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 7.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
67.3%
−7.4 ptssince 2011
from 74.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.4%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
41.1%
−22.0 ptssince 2009
from 63.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
51.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
4.3%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.1%
−42.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.5%
+4.4 ptssince 2012
from 10.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.8%
−84.1 ptssince 2013
from 89.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.8%
+10.1 ptssince 2017
from 82.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2016
from 93.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.2%
−1.0 ptssince 2016
from 3.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Buffalo to nearby cities

BUFFALO VS
St. Michael
Income$131,274+48%
Home value$390,100+24%
Population22,498+33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO VS
Monticello
Income$79,534−10%
Home value$323,700+3%
Population15,670−7%
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BUFFALO VS
Albertville
Income$132,734+49%
Home value$343,700+9%
Population8,544−49%
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BUFFALO VS
Big Lake
Income$120,549+36%
Home value$330,200+5%
Population12,929−23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Buffalo, Minnesota?

Buffalo, Minnesota has about 16,499 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Buffalo, Minnesota?

The typical household in Buffalo, Minnesota earns about $88,820 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Buffalo, Minnesota expensive?

In Buffalo, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $314,400, and the typical rent is about $1,182 a month.

How educated are people in Buffalo, Minnesota?

About 32.0% of adults age 25 and over in Buffalo, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Buffalo, Minnesota?

About 8.9% of people in Buffalo, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Buffalo, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Buffalo, Minnesota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 9,643 residents, a change of about 141 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 →