Buffalo Center, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Buffalo Center, Iowa had a total population of 911, the 315th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $52,917, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.9% is notably above the national average.
Buffalo Center Quick Facts
How Buffalo Center Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,000 | 911 | -8.9% |
| Median household income | $49,474 | $52,917 | +7.0% |
| Median home value | $93,800 | $100,500 | +7.1% |
How Buffalo Center Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buffalo Center Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Winnebago County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Mills | 2,088 | $61,875 | 15.3% | $122,600 |
| Thompson | 459 | $61,250 | 7.5% | $95,700 |
| Leland | 306 | $52,500 | 18.7% | $92,900 |
| Rake | 190 | $42,386 | 23.3% | $49,000 |
| Scarville | 66 | N/A | 27.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Buffalo Center
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keosauqua | 914 | $51,136 | $98,500 | 13.6% | 8.8% |
| Beaverdale | 910 | $57,357 | $170,900 | 21.3% | 27.1% |
| Hamburg | 927 | $60,000 | $106,300 | 12.6% | 4.0% |
| North English | 852 | $54,531 | $118,600 | 18.5% | 10.3% |
| Griswold | 975 | $55,000 | $98,900 | 23.0% | 13.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 911, Buffalo Center's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Buffalo Center is a small community located in Iowa, within Winnebago County. The total population is 911. It ranks as the 315th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buffalo Center is 59.4 years. This is 54% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 12.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buffalo Center is $52,917. This is 29% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.2%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 10.9%. This is 204% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $100,500. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Buffalo Center is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Buffalo Center has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buffalo Center, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Buffalo Center, Iowa?
Buffalo Center, Iowa has a population of 911 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buffalo Center, IA?
The median household income in Buffalo Center is $52,917, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Buffalo Center, IA?
The poverty rate in Buffalo Center is 8.2%. This means approximately 72 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buffalo Center, Iowa?
Buffalo Center's population is 97.0% White, 0.0% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buffalo Center, IA?
The median home value in Buffalo Center is $100,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Buffalo Center, Iowa?
27.2% of adults (25+) in Buffalo Center hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.