Buffalo, SD

South Dakota

Buffalo is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 282. Residents earn $81,607 per year, which is 9% above the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
282 Population 513/sq mi density
$81,607 Median Income $52,782 per capita
$112,500 Home Value $183,656 Zillow
$583 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$81,607 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$112,500 home value, $583/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $81,607
9% higher than US avg
Home Value $112,500
60% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.4%
39% lower than US avg
Median Rent $583
50% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.1%
9% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.6%
39% lower than US avg

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

People

Population282
Median Age54.6 yrs
Density513/mi²
Male / Female63% / 37%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

A+
Median Income$81,607
Per Capita$52,782
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty7.6%
County GDP$91M
Commute8 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$112,500
Rent$583
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$183,656

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.9%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain13.5 in/yr
Elevation2,896 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.4%
High School+93.5%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 92% / D 6%
Commute8 min
Libraries2

Is Buffalo a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Buffalo receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Buffalo stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Buffalo is $81,607, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. Only 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 8 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Buffalo is $112,500, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $583 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

20.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Buffalo experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 13.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Buffalo has a population of 282 with a density of 513 people per square mile. The median age is 54.6 years, 40% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.7%), with 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

282
Total Population
513
People / sq mi
54.6yrs
Median Age
40% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 63.1%
Female 36.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Buffalo vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.3%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.7%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Buffalo vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Buffalo is $81,607, which is 9% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 8 minutes.

Income: Buffalo vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$81,607
9% above US avg
Per Capita Income$52,782
Avg Weekly Wage$897
IRS Avg AGI$67,744

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.6%
39% below US avg
Establishments (County)68
County GDP$91M

Business (County)

Restaurants3
Healthcare7
Retail6

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time8.0 min
Work from Home6.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Buffalo is $112,500, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $583 (50% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $183,656.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$112,500
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$183,656

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$583
50% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$830
1 Bedroom$918
2 Bedrooms$1,204
3 Bedrooms$1,444
4 Bedrooms$1,864

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.6%

Property Tax

In Buffalo, 35.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.9% report depression. 19.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.1%
9% above US avg
Diabetes8.4%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure27.3%
Asthma10.2%
COPD5.1%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.1%
Physical Inactivity19.8%
Depression21.9%
Mental Distress15.8%
Physical Distress10.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.2%
Checkup Rate73.5%

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access35.5%
Healthcare Facilities7

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Buffalo has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 13.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.5°F
16% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall13.5 inches
65% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,896 ft (883 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density513/sq mi
Coordinates45.5864°N, 103.5435°W
County FIPS46063
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 20.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (39% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 86.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 92%
D 5.9%

Winner: Republican by 86.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.4%
39% below US avg
High School+93.5%
School Test Score5.45
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density513/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities7
Restaurants3
Retail Stores6

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute8.0 min
Work from Home6.5%

Nearby Cities

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