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CITY

Buffalo Lake

Minnesota · 637 residents (2025 est.) · 0.682 sq mi
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The short version

Buffalo Lake has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $66,167. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 133 residents. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $113,400. The poverty rate of 20.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 26% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
635
−17%since 2000
from 768 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
931 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 1,126 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.8
+6%since 2000
from 40.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:637 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5386257117978841990201020202024Buffalo Lake
2024635
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$66,167
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,000 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,361
+44%since 2000
from $17,669 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
39.5%
+22.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
20.1%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 10.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.362
−21%since 2010
from 0.456 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade37.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food7.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing7%
US avg: 2.2%
Wholesale trade6.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Information6%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance2.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services1.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$113,400
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$759
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $471 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
77.6%
−7.8 ptssince 2000
from 85.4% in 2000
22.4% rent
Vacancy rate
21.6%
+12.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.4%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
36.2%
+14.5 ptssince 2009
from 21.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.7
+27%since 2000
from 1.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
44
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buffalo Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.3%(686)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino9.6%(74)
Asian0.3%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score22.5%(173)
2024
White, non-Hispanic65.7%(417)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino30.9%(196)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.5%(22)
Diversity Score59%(375)
Diversity Score
59
+162%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.1%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.0%
+15.9 ptssince 2000
from 74.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.9%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 1.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.3 min
+110%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
85.1%
+18.4 ptssince 2009
from 66.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
1.4%
−18.6 ptssince 2009
from 20.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.4%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.1%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.3%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
+2.5 ptssince 2011
from 3.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
46.6%
−20.6 ptssince 2011
from 67.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.4%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
41.4%
−9.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.4%
−14.5 ptssince 2009
from 64.9% in 2009
Female
49.6%
+14.5 ptssince 2009
from 35.1% in 2009
Foreign born
9.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.3%
−50.7 ptssince 2009
from 58.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.2%
+3.3 ptssince 2012
from 15.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.6%
−83.5 ptssince 2013
from 90.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
80.0%
+26.0 ptssince 2017
from 54.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
83.8%
+4.1 ptssince 2016
from 79.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
16.2%
−1.9 ptssince 2016
from 18.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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BUFFALO LAKE VS
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BUFFALO LAKE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota?

Buffalo Lake, Minnesota has about 635 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota?

The typical household in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota earns about $66,167 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Buffalo Lake, Minnesota expensive?

In Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $113,400, and the typical rent is about $759 a month.

How educated are people in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota?

About 17.1% of adults age 25 and over in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota?

About 20.1% of people in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Buffalo Lake, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Buffalo Lake, Minnesota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 68 residents, a change of about -10 percent over that period.

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

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