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CITY · 2020 ACS

Buffalo Lake

Minnesota · 660 residents · 0.682 sq mi
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The short version

Buffalo Lake has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,063. Population has declined 14% since 2000. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $93,700. With a median age of 46.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 36% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
660
−14%since 2000
from 768 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
968 / sq mi
−14%since 2000
from 1,126 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.0
+14%since 2000
from 40.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5386257117978841990201020202024Buffalo Lake
2024635
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,063
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,000 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,609
+39%since 2000
from $17,669 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
30.4%
+13.6 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
17.5%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 10.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade34.6%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade8.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Information8.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction6.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing4.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$93,700
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$570
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $471 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
77.7%
−7.7 ptssince 2000
from 85.4% in 2000
22.3% rent
Afford Score
2.0
+48%since 2000
from 1.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic80%(528)
Black0.8%(5)
Hispanic / Latino12.7%(84)
Asian0.3%(2)
Other4.3%(28)
Diversity Score39.5%(261)
Diversity Score
39
+75%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.9%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.6%
+17.5 ptssince 2000
from 74.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.0%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 1.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.4 min
+68%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.9%
+18.2 ptssince 2009
from 66.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
15.4%
+9.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 3.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
50.5%
−16.7 ptssince 2011
from 67.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
20.7%
−29.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
−16.9 ptssince 2009
from 64.9% in 2009
Female
52.1%
+16.9 ptssince 2009
from 35.1% in 2009
Foreign born
9.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.9%
−79.2 ptssince 2013
from 90.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Buffalo Lake to nearby cities

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BUFFALO LAKE VS
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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 660 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota earns about $47,063 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 $93,700, and the typical rent is about $570 a month.

How educated are people in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota?

About 14.9% 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 17.5% 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 43 residents, a change of about -6 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 →