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CITY

Buffalo

West Virginia · 1,185 residents (2025 est.) · 1.386 sq mi
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The short version

Buffalo has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $64,583. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 13% 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 $132,900.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 42%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,150
−2%since 2000
from 1,171 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
830 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 845 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.0
+9%since 2000
from 38.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,185 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
9281K1K1K1K1990201020202024Buffalo
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$64,583
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,481 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,002
+107%since 2000
from $14,005 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
45.9%
+27.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
19.9%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 17.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.380
−12%since 2010
from 0.432 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade21.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade13.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Information8.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services7.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance6.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Transportation & warehousing5.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration1.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$132,900
+42%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $51,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$546
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $337 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
90.0%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 80.4% in 2000
10.0% rent
Vacancy rate
18.7%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.1%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.0%
−18.2 ptssince 2009
from 58.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.1
+6%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
55
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buffalo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.6%(1,131)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(11)
Asian0.2%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score3%(35)
2024
White, non-Hispanic98.5%(1,133)
Black0.5%(6)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0.3%(3)
Other0.7%(8)
Diversity Score3.7%(42)
Diversity Score
4
+21%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.8%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.1%
+15.8 ptssince 2000
from 77.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.6%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 1.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.0 min
−4%since 2000
from 24.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
87.9%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 91.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.6%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% 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
6.7%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2011
from 6.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
51.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2011
from 51.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.7%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
21.0%
−26.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 53.3% in 2009
Female
46.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
Foreign born
0.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
12.2%
−40.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.8%
−7.5 ptssince 2012
from 21.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.2%
−79.9 ptssince 2013
from 90.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.8%
+24.2 ptssince 2017
from 65.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Buffalo to nearby cities

BUFFALO VS
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Income$108,741+68%
Home value$278,000+109%
Population14,151+1094%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO VS
Cross Lanes
Income$63,537−2%
Home value$153,800+16%
Population9,671+716%
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BUFFALO VS
St. Albans
Income$53,972−16%
Home value$140,800+6%
Population10,210+762%
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BUFFALO VS
South Charleston
Income$63,884−1%
Home value$155,400+17%
Population13,072+1003%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Buffalo, West Virginia?

Buffalo, West Virginia has about 1,150 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Buffalo, West Virginia?

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

Is Buffalo, West Virginia expensive?

In Buffalo, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $132,900, and the typical rent is about $546 a month.

How educated are people in Buffalo, West Virginia?

About 12.8% of adults age 25 and over in Buffalo, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Buffalo, West Virginia?

About 19.9% of people in Buffalo, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Buffalo, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Buffalo, West Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 181 residents, a change of about 19 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 →