Iowa
Buffalo Center is a small town in Iowa with a population of 1,000. Residents earn $49,474 per year, which is 34% below the national average.
Based on current data, Buffalo Center receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Buffalo Center offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Buffalo Center is $49,474, 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
The median home value in Buffalo Center is $93,800, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $646 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
26.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.
Buffalo Center has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
| English Only | 96.1% |
| 22% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 3.9% |
| 71% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $49,474 |
| 34% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $38,663 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $904 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $70,658 |
| Unemployment | 5.0% |
| 39% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 7.0% |
| 44% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 393 |
| County GDP | $690M |
| Restaurants | 21 |
| Healthcare | 31 |
| Retail | 49 |
| Manufacturing | 17 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $3,053 |
| 13% below US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 3.25% |
| Commute Time | 18.6 min |
| Work from Home | 2.1% |
| Census Median | $93,800 |
| 67% below US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $144,305 |
| Census Median Rent | $646 |
| 44% below US avg |
| Studio | $738 |
| 1 Bedroom | $788 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $989 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,282 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,420 |
| Owner-Occupied | 72.2% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $3,053 |
| 13% below US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 3.25% |
| Obesity | 39.9% |
| 24% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 9.6% |
| Heart Disease | 5.6% |
| High Blood Pressure | 31.4% |
| Asthma | 10.3% |
| COPD | 6.5% |
| Stroke | 2.9% |
| Binge Drinking | 22.2% |
| Physical Inactivity | 24.4% |
| Depression | 22.3% |
| Mental Distress | 17.9% |
| Physical Distress | 12.6% |
| Insurance Rate | 95.2% |
| Checkup Rate | 75.4% |
| Premature Death | 5,991/100K |
| Food Environment | 9.1/10 |
| Exercise Access | 85.3% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 31 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 2 |
| Annual Average | 44.9°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 35.9 inches |
| 5% below US avg |
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 1,182 ft (360 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 935/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.3894°N, 93.9428°W |
| County FIPS | 19189 |
Winner: Republican by 30.7 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.1% |
| 23% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 97.2% |
| School Test Score | 5.73 |
| RUCC Code 9 | Nonmetro — Rural |
| Population Density | 935/sq mi |
| Total Area | 1.1 sq mi |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 1 |
| Public Libraries | 5 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 31 |
| Restaurants | 21 |
| Retail Stores | 49 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 2 |
| Avg Commute | 18.6 min |
| Work from Home | 2.1% |