CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Buffalo County

South Dakota · 1,948 residents · 471.405 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Compare
The short version

Buffalo County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $35,000. Population has declined 4% since 2000. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. At a median age of 25.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 37.3% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 42% less than the South Dakota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 25.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Renter-heavy
52% owner-occupied
US average: 63%
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,948
−4%since 2000
from 2,032 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 4 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
25.8
+10%since 2000
from 23.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K2K2K1990201020202024Buffalo County
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,000
+83%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $12,692 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$12,003
+130%since 2000
from $5,213 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
16.1%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
37.3%
−19.6 ptssince 2000
from 56.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing12.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction12.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Information9.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services8%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance2.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical1.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade1.5%
US avg: 10%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median gross rent
$465
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $319 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
51.5%
+8.7 ptssince 2000
from 42.8% in 2000
48.5% rent
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buffalo County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic16.3%(332)
Black0.1%(2)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(18)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score13.5%(274)
2020
White, non-Hispanic14.7%(286)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(13)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other78.7%(1,533)
Diversity Score34.5%(672)
Diversity Score
35
+156%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.1%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
77.9%
+14.0 ptssince 2000
from 63.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
1.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 1.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.5 min
+13%since 2000
from 12.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
73.5%
+18.1 ptssince 2009
from 55.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
16.7%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
22.0%
−6.0 ptssince 2011
from 28.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.4%
−8.1 ptssince 2011
from 65.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.1%
−26.2 ptssince 2009
from 56.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.3%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Female
46.7%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
40.4%
−12.3 ptssince 2013
from 52.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Buffalo County

Worth County
Pop 1,914
Garden County
Pop 1,804
Wheatland County
Pop 2,100
Briscoe County
Pop 1,474
Places similar to Buffalo County
Head to head

Compare Buffalo County to nearby counties

BUFFALO COUNTY VS
Brule County
Income$73,720+111%
Home value$216,800
Population5,278+193%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO COUNTY VS
Jerauld County
Income$73,750+111%
Home value$150,800
Population1,654−8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO COUNTY VS
Lyman County
Income$67,143+92%
Home value$165,800
Population3,694+105%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUFFALO COUNTY VS
Hand County
Income$74,635+113%
Home value$159,300
Population3,121+73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Buffalo County, South Dakota?

Buffalo County, South Dakota has about 1,948 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Buffalo County, South Dakota earns about $35,000 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 typical rent is about $465 a month.

How educated are people in Buffalo County, South Dakota?

About 8.1% 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 37.3% 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 189 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

1 census tract
Census Tract 9402
2 ZIP codes
ZIP 57339ZIP 57341
Up the hierarchy
All counties in South Dakota
Rankings
Highest income countiesLowest poverty counties

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

How we source and harmonize this data →