United States › South Dakota › Buffalo County COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS
Buffalo County South Dakota · 2,032 residents · 471 sq mi
Time machine
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The short version
Buffalo County is home to 2,032 people in South Dakota. 56.9% of people here live below the federal poverty line. The median age is 23.4, younger than the US median of 35.2. Households here earn about 64% less than in South Dakota as a whole. 43% of homes are owner-occupied. 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, below the 24% national rate.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 23.4
US median: 35.2
Less educated
5% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 56%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01
Population & growth from 22.2 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K 2K 2K 2K 2K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 Buffalo County Age distribution, 2000
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02
Income & economy $12,692
−34%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $14,566 in 1990
US average: $42,589
from $5,067 in 1990
US average: $21,522
from 45.1% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
$30,900
+56%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $14,999 in 1990
US average: $120,530
$319
+3%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $235 in 1990
US average: $602
from 42.4% in 1990
57.2% rent
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 1990
White, non-Hispanic 22.3%(393)
2000
White, non-Hispanic 16.3%(332)
Hispanic / Latino 0.9%(18)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.
Ancestry
+ 3 more ancestry groups with data from 4.2% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
from 61.2% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
from 1.0% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06
Commute & transportation from 38.0 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07
Work & employment No data for the years selected.
Section 08
People & community No data for the years selected.
Marital status
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Section 09
Health coverage Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).
from 47.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
from 15.8% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
from 5.5% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
from 12.6% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
from 30.9% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
from 2.0% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
from 21.3% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
from 42.3% in 2020
US average: 36.7%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later) 40.5%(47)
Share of the 116 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
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Drill deeper
Places similar to Buffalo County Head to head
Compare Buffalo County to nearby counties BUFFALO COUNTY VS
Brule County
Income $73,720 +481%
Home value $216,800 +602%
Population 5,278 +193%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO COUNTY VS
Jerauld County
Income $73,750 +481%
Home value $150,800 +388%
Population 1,654 −8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO COUNTY VS
Lyman County
Income $67,143 +429%
Home value $165,800 +437%
Population 3,694 +105%
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BUFFALO COUNTY VS
Hand County
Income $74,635 +488%
Home value $159,300 +416%
Population 3,121 +73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked
How many people live in Buffalo County, South Dakota? Buffalo County, South Dakota has about 2,032 residents according to the 2000 Census.
What is the median household income in Buffalo County, South Dakota? The typical household in Buffalo County, South Dakota earns about $12,692 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Buffalo County, South Dakota expensive? In Buffalo County, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $30,900, and the typical rent is about $319 a month.
How educated are people in Buffalo County, South Dakota? About 5.4% of adults age 25 and over in Buffalo County, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Buffalo County, South Dakota? About 56.9% of people in Buffalo County, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.
Has Buffalo County, South Dakota grown since 1990? Yes, Buffalo County, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 273 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.
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