Buffalo city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Buffalo city, Iowa has a total population of 1,090, the 268th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $74,773, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Buffalo city Quick Facts
How Buffalo city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buffalo city Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Cities Similar to Buffalo city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neola city | 1,098 | $68,859 | $166,400 | 14.4% | 6.3% |
| Larchwood city | 1,076 | $69,327 | $189,700 | 25.4% | 6.6% |
| Graettinger city | 1,038 | $73,250 | $87,000 | 13.9% | 7.0% |
| St. Ansgar city | 1,156 | $75,208 | $143,800 | 28.0% | 7.9% |
| Glidden city | 1,153 | $73,393 | $159,700 | 25.5% | 11.6% |
Population Overview
Buffalo city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 1,090. It ranks as the 268th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buffalo city is 39.3 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buffalo city is $74,773. This is 2% higher than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 5% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $120,400. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Buffalo city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Buffalo city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.1%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
12.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buffalo city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Buffalo city, Iowa?
Buffalo city, Iowa has a population of 1,090 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buffalo city, IA?
The median household income in Buffalo city is $74,773, which is 5% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Buffalo city, IA?
The poverty rate in Buffalo city is 16.3%. This means approximately 178 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buffalo city, Iowa?
Buffalo city's population is 87.6% White, 0.8% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buffalo city, IA?
The median home value in Buffalo city is $120,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Buffalo city, Iowa?
12.3% of adults (25+) in Buffalo city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.