Buffalo, SC

South Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Buffalo is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 1,232. Residents earn $21,831 per year, which is 71% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,232 Population 306/sq mi density
$21,831 Median Income $15,054 per capita
$44,400 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.8 / 5.0
$21,831 median income, 5.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$44,400 home value
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $21,831
71% lower than US avg
Home Value $44,400
84% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.0%
85% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 47.4%
48% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.0%
39% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 54.1%
336% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,232
Median Age28.0 yrs
Density306/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 100%

Economy

D
Median Income$21,831
Per Capita$15,054
Unemployment5.0%
Poverty54.1%
County GDP$905M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$44,400
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity47.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.8%
Heart Disease9.2%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain45.3 in/yr
Elevation558 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.0%
High School+80.9%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute25 min
Libraries5

Is Buffalo a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Buffalo receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Buffalo has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Buffalo is $21,831, 71% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 54.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Buffalo is $44,400, 84% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Buffalo enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Buffalo has a population of 1,232 with a density of 306 people per square mile. The median age is 28.0 years, 28% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

1,232
Total Population
306
People / sq mi
28.0yrs
Median Age
28% below US avg
4.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.6%
Female 44.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Buffalo vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Buffalo vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Buffalo is $21,831, which is 71% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 54.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Buffalo vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$21,831
71% below US avg
Per Capita Income$15,054
Avg Weekly Wage$933
IRS Avg AGI$47,611

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.0%
39% above US avg
Poverty Rate54.1%
336% above US avg
Establishments (County)490
County GDP$905M

Business (County)

Restaurants35
Healthcare25
Retail101
Manufacturing27

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,790
49% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.03%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.8 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Buffalo is $44,400, 84% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$44,400
84% below US avg
Median List Price$49,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$49,900
$/Sq Ft$156
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio101.7%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$928
1 Bedroom$982
2 Bedrooms$1,155
3 Bedrooms$1,450
4 Bedrooms$1,699

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,790
49% below US avg
Effective Rate4.03%
In Buffalo, 47.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.8% report depression. 39.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity47.4%
48% above US avg
Diabetes17.8%
Heart Disease9.2%
High Blood Pressure43.7%
Asthma11.9%
COPD14.4%
Stroke5.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.0%
Physical Inactivity39.1%
Depression28.8%
Mental Distress23.9%
Physical Distress21.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.3%
Checkup Rate77.5%
Premature Death16,927/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access63.0%
Healthcare Facilities25

Crime Rates: Buffalo vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Buffalo has an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average60.4°F
12% above US avg
January Average41°F (5°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.3 inches
19% above US avg
Snowfall1.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation558 ft (170 m)
Area4.0 sq mi (10.4 km²)
Population Density306/sq mi
Coordinates34.7244°N, 81.6844°W
County FIPS45087
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 5.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (85% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 32.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.9%
D 33.2%

Winner: Republican by 32.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.0%
85% below US avg
High School+80.9%
School Test Score4.51
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density306/sq mi
Total Area4.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities25
Restaurants35
Retail Stores101

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.8 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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