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CITY

Buffalo Gap

South Dakota · 155 residents (2025 est.) · 0.306 sq mi
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The short version

Buffalo Gap has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $54,063. Population has fallen 20% since 2000, a loss of 33 residents. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $100,000. With a median age of 66.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Poverty is rare here, at 1.5% of residents. Households here earn about 28% less than the South Dakota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 66.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 65%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
131
−20%since 2000
from 164 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
428 / sq mi
−15%since 2009
from 503 / sq mi in 2009
US average: 281
Median age
66.3
+46%since 2000
from 45.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:155 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
791061331591861990201020202024Buffalo Gap
2024131
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2024
Under 54.6%(6)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 99.2%(12)
US avg: 6%
10 to 141.5%(2)
US avg: 6.4%
15 to 190.8%(1)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 240%(0)
US avg: 6.5%
25 to 346.9%(9)
US avg: 13.7%
35 to 449.9%(13)
US avg: 13.2%
45 to 543.8%(5)
US avg: 12.2%
55 to 6412.2%(16)
US avg: 12.7%
65 to 7432.8%(43)
US avg: 10.2%
75 to 8418.3%(24)
US avg: 5.1%
85 and over0%(0)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,063
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,000 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,650
+122%since 2000
from $14,680 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.7%
+15.0 ptssince 2009
from 27.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
1.5%
−17.1 ptssince 2000
from 18.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.319
−9%since 2010
from 0.349 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information28.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade1.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade1.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$100,000
+65%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
96.0%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 86.7% in 2000
4.0% rent
Vacancy rate
21.1%
−9.2 ptssince 2009
from 30.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
11.1%
−10.7 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
66.7%
+66.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.8
+12%since 2009
from 1.7 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index: median home value divided by median household income. Lower is more affordable.
Gentrification Score
46
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means faster recent growth in incomes, home values, and college degrees.
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buffalo Gap on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic88.4%(145)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(8)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic98.5%(129)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.5%(2)
Diversity Score
4
−90%since 2009
from 36 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Ancestry
English48.1%(63)
Irish38.2%(50)
German19.8%(26)
Swiss16.8%(22)
Italian4.6%(6)
Danish3.1%(4)
French3.1%(4)
Finnish2.3%(3)
Canadian1.5%(2)
Scottish1.5%(2)
American0.8%(1)
RANKED:Largest English population · Largest Irish population · Largest German population · Largest Swiss population · Largest Italian population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.3%
+13.8 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.3%
+11.7 ptssince 2000
from 85.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.9%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.5 min
+32%since 2000
from 20.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
62.5%
−11.6 ptssince 2009
from 74.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
20.3%
+10.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
17.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 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
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.5%
−19.4 ptssince 2011
from 20.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
58.6%
+3.2 ptssince 2011
from 55.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.2%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 23.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
25.0%
−34.3 ptssince 2009
from 59.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.4%
+11.9 ptssince 2009
from 41.6% in 2009
Female
46.6%
−11.9 ptssince 2009
from 58.4% in 2009
Foreign born
1.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
46.8%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 42.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
26.0%
+15.7 ptssince 2012
from 10.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.9%
−66.9 ptssince 2013
from 73.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.7%
+19.5 ptssince 2017
from 67.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
78.4%
−19.5 ptssince 2016
from 97.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
20.0%
+17.9 ptssince 2016
from 2.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married3.3%(2)
Married55%(33)
Widowed5%(3)
Divorced36.7%(22)
Women 15+
Never married0%(0)
Married68.6%(35)
Widowed25.5%(13)
Divorced5.9%(3)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
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BUFFALO GAP VS
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BUFFALO GAP VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Buffalo Gap, South Dakota?

Buffalo Gap, South Dakota has about 131 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Buffalo Gap, South Dakota?

The typical household in Buffalo Gap, South Dakota earns about $54,063 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Buffalo Gap, South Dakota expensive?

In Buffalo Gap, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $100,000.

How educated are people in Buffalo Gap, South Dakota?

About 27.3% of adults age 25 and over in Buffalo Gap, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Buffalo Gap, South Dakota?

About 1.5% of people in Buffalo Gap, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Buffalo Gap, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Buffalo Gap, South Dakota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 46 residents, a change of about -26 percent over that period.

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

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