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Buffalo Lake, MN

Minnesota

Buffalo Lake is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 664. Residents earn $56,719 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
664 Population 976/sq mi density
$56,719 Median Income $24,885 per capita
$106,000 Home Value $198,314 Zillow
$763 Median Rent 31.9% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$56,719 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$106,000 home value, $763/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,719
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $106,000
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.1%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $763
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.9%
36% lower than US avg

How Buffalo Lake Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population664
Median Age41.2 yrs
Density976/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 69%
Veterans5.7%

Economy

B+
Median Income$56,719
Per Capita$24,885
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty7.9%
County GDP$1,190M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$106,000
Rent$763
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$198,314
Housing Units267
Rent Burden31.9%

Health

Obesity39.7%
Uninsured11.1%
Smoking17.7%
Depression25.0%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F (6°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain27.9 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation1,072 ft (327 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.1%
High School+88.1%
Graduate+6.5%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute27 min
Broadband75.5%
Libraries5

Is Buffalo Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Buffalo Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Buffalo Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Buffalo Lake is $56,719, 25% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. Only 7.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Buffalo Lake is $106,000, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $763 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.

Education

20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.1% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Buffalo Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 276 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 27.9 inches, including 37.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Buffalo Lake has a population of 664 with a density of 976 people per square mile. The median age is 41.2 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (69.1%), with 2.3% Hispanic.

Population

664
Total Population
976
People / sq mi
41.2yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.9%
Female 49.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Buffalo Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.9%
16% above US avg
Spanish9.1%
32% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Buffalo Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Buffalo Lake is $56,719, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Buffalo Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,719
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,885
Avg Weekly Wage$1,062
IRS Avg AGI$75,740

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.9%
36% below US avg
Establishments (County)594
County GDP$1,190M

Business (County)

Restaurants21
Healthcare44
Retail56
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,983
15% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.81%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.3 min
Drive Alone84.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Buffalo Lake is $106,000, 62% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $763 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $198,314.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$106,000
62% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$198,314

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$763
34% below US avg
Rent Burden31.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$809
1 Bedroom$899
2 Bedrooms$1,125
3 Bedrooms$1,483
4 Bedrooms$1,698

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.4%
Housing Units267
Median Year Built1960

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,983
15% below US avg
Effective Rate2.81%
In Buffalo Lake, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 11.1% of residents lack health insurance. 17.7% are current smokers. 25.0% report depression. 27.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Buffalo Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure29.5%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.1%
Cancer7.1%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.7%
26% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.3%
Physical Inactivity27.3%
Depression25.0%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress13.1%
Short Sleep30.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.5%
Uninsured11.1%
29% above US avg
Checkup Rate71.5%
Dental Visits63.1%
Premature Death7,904/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access54.9%
Healthcare Facilities44
Buffalo Lake has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 27.9 inches. The area enjoys 276 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average43.2°F
20% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall27.9 inches
27% below US avg
Snowfall37.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,072 ft (327 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density976/sq mi
Coordinates44.7368°N, 94.6170°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS27129
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 41.4-point margin. 75.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.8%
D 28.4%

Winner: Republican by 41.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.1%
40% below US avg
High School+88.1%
Graduate Degree+6.5%
School Test Score6.08
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density976/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access75.5%
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities44
Restaurants21
Retail Stores56

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.3 min
Drive Alone84.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.3%

Nearby Cities

Hector, MN 1,111 pop · 4.7 mi Fairfax, MN 1,134 pop · 15.3 mi Hutchinson, MN 14,629 pop · 15.6 mi Winthrop, MN 1,275 pop · 18.4 mi Olivia, MN 2,243 pop · 18.9 mi Glencoe, MN 5,702 pop · 23.0 mi Gaylord, MN 2,074 pop · 23.5 mi Litchfield, MN 6,599 pop · 27.0 mi Redwood Falls, MN 5,075 pop · 27.2 mi Arlington, MN 2,298 pop · 28.0 mi Dassel, MN 1,332 pop · 28.2 mi Atwater, MN 1,217 pop · 28.6 mi Renville, MN 1,397 pop · 29.1 mi Lester Prairie, MN 1,848 pop · 30.2 mi
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