Iowa · Metropolitan Area
Buffalo is a small town in Iowa with a population of 1,090. Residents earn $74,773 per year, which is 1% below the national average.
Based on current data, Buffalo receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high obesity rates. Buffalo offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Buffalo is $74,773, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. 14.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.
The median home value in Buffalo is $120,400, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $821 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
With 618 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 850 per 100,000, 57% below the national average.
12.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.
Buffalo experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.3 inches, including 36.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
| English Only | 97.6% |
| 24% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 2.4% |
| 82% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $74,773 |
| 1% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $33,527 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,391 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $65,635 |
| Unemployment | 1.3% |
| 64% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% |
| 16% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 2,880 |
| County GDP | $12,607M |
| Restaurants | 375 |
| Healthcare | 405 |
| Retail | 411 |
| Manufacturing | 124 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $6,655 |
| 90% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 5.53% |
| Commute Time | 29.8 min |
| Work from Home | 3.7% |
| Census Median | $120,400 |
| 57% below US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $157,395 |
| Median List Price | $159,900 |
| Median List Price | $159,900 |
| $/Sq Ft | $64 |
| Homes Sold | 2 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 91.9% |
| Price Drops | 0.0% |
| Census Median Rent | $821 |
| 29% below US avg |
| Studio | $738 |
| 1 Bedroom | $788 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $989 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,282 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,420 |
| Owner-Occupied | 78.3% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $6,655 |
| 90% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 5.53% |
| Obesity | 39.8% |
| 24% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 8.7% |
| Heart Disease | 5.1% |
| High Blood Pressure | 28.1% |
| Asthma | 10.6% |
| COPD | 5.7% |
| Stroke | 2.7% |
| Binge Drinking | 24.6% |
| Physical Inactivity | 22.1% |
| Depression | 22.0% |
| Mental Distress | 17.7% |
| Physical Distress | 11.9% |
| Insurance Rate | 98.7% |
| Checkup Rate | 76.0% |
| Premature Death | 8,429/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.0/10 |
| Exercise Access | 90.5% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 405 |
| Total Violent | 618.2/100K |
| 63% above US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 0.0/100K |
| Robbery | 0.0/100K |
| Assault | 618.2/100K |
| Total Property | 850.1/100K |
| 57% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 231.8/100K |
| Theft | 541.0/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 77.3/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 11 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 51.2°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 38.3 inches |
| 1% above US avg | |
| Snowfall | 36.1 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 677 ft (206 m) |
| Area | 6.8 sq mi (17.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 161/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.4613°N, 90.7689°W |
| County FIPS | 17161 |
Winner: Democrat by 9.6 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.3% |
| 64% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 88.3% |
| School Test Score | 5.73 |
| RUCC Code 2 | Metro — 250K–1M |
| Population Density | 161/sq mi |
| Total Area | 6.8 sq mi |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 1 |
| Public Libraries | 11 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 405 |
| Restaurants | 375 |
| Retail Stores | 411 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 11 |
| Avg Commute | 29.8 min |
| Work from Home | 3.7% |