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CITY · 2020 ACS

Buffalo

South Dakota · 346 residents · 0.554 sq mi
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The short version

Buffalo has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $64,583. Population has declined 9% since 2000. 21% 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 $77,900. Poverty is rare here, at 2.1% of residents.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% 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
346
−9%since 2000
from 380 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
625 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 686 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.5
Unchangedsince 2000
from 43.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2573203844485111990201020202024Buffalo
2024278
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$64,583
+96%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,875 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,911
+172%since 2000
from $13,208 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
42.2%
+24.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
2.1%
−10.1 ptssince 2000
from 12.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Wholesale trade29.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Information16.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing9.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing7.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Finance & insurance6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services2.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction2.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade2.2%
US avg: 10%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$77,900
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $43,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$595
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $360 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
69.1%
−5.4 ptssince 2000
from 74.4% in 2000
30.9% rent
Afford Score
1.2
−40%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buffalo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.2%(373)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(4)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.6%(10)
2020
White, non-Hispanic89.9%(311)
Black0.3%(1)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other5%(17)
Diversity Score16.5%(57)
Diversity Score
16
+527%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.9%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 13.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.6%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 86.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.8%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 0.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
9.2 min
−39%since 2000
from 15.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.8%
+26.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.1%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2011
from 0.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
77.6%
+8.8 ptssince 2011
from 68.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
17.4%
−24.3 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
60.0%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
Female
40.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 42.7% in 2009
Foreign born
0.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.6%
−83.7 ptssince 2013
from 87.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Buffalo

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Pop 359
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Brownsdale
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Head to head

Compare Buffalo to nearby cities

BUFFALO VS
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BUFFALO VS
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BUFFALO VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Buffalo, South Dakota?

Buffalo, South Dakota has about 346 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Buffalo, South Dakota earns about $64,583 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Buffalo, South Dakota expensive?

In Buffalo, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $77,900, and the typical rent is about $595 a month.

How educated are people in Buffalo, South Dakota?

About 20.9% of adults age 25 and over in Buffalo, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Buffalo, South Dakota?

About 2.1% of people in Buffalo, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Buffalo, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Buffalo, South Dakota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 144 residents, a change of about -29 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 →