New Buffalo, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, New Buffalo, Michigan had a total population of 1,338, the 389th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $64,702, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
New Buffalo Quick Facts
How New Buffalo 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 | 1,306 | 1,338 | +2.5% |
| Median household income | $64,524 | $64,702 | +0.3% |
| Median home value | $342,700 | $391,200 | +14.2% |
How New Buffalo 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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
New Buffalo Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Berrien County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niles | 11,803 | $51,376 | 17.8% | $135,100 |
| Benton Harbor | 8,953 | $31,117 | 40.1% | $76,500 |
| St. Joseph | 7,986 | $84,057 | 7.3% | $299,000 |
| Fair Plain | 7,330 | $52,817 | 26.6% | $169,400 |
| Buchanan | 4,223 | $56,163 | 7.1% | $154,300 |
| Paw Paw Lake | 3,889 | $67,674 | 17.8% | $191,700 |
| Benton Heights | 3,078 | $33,542 | 39.5% | $97,700 |
| Watervliet | 2,156 | $61,167 | 15.9% | $137,500 |
| Bridgman | 2,077 | $66,603 | 14.5% | $238,400 |
| Berrien Springs | 2,018 | $65,134 | 13.4% | $159,900 |
Cities Similar to New Buffalo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Lake | 1,348 | $58,162 | $157,500 | 18.4% | 16.4% |
| Rapid City | 1,328 | $73,021 | $214,700 | 13.9% | 12.7% |
| Pinconning | 1,448 | $64,565 | $79,600 | 26.4% | 12.1% |
| Webberville | 1,375 | $57,679 | $162,100 | 10.6% | 18.7% |
| Luna Pier | 1,244 | $61,641 | $188,800 | 21.8% | 26.1% |
Population Overview
New Buffalo is a small community located in Michigan, within Berrien County. The total population is 1,338. It ranks as the 389th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Buffalo is 54.5 years. This is 36% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 10.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.2% 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 New Buffalo is $64,702. This is 11% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 4% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $391,200. Housing costs are 69% higher than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x. 77.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
New Buffalo has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.2%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.1%.
Education
42.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% higher than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.9%. Notably, 20.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Buffalo, Michigan 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 Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. 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 New Buffalo, Michigan?
New Buffalo, Michigan has a population of 1,338 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Buffalo, MI?
The median household income in New Buffalo is $64,702, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in New Buffalo, MI?
The poverty rate in New Buffalo is 12.7%. This means approximately 170 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Buffalo, Michigan?
New Buffalo's population is 85.4% White, 0.4% Black, 7.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Buffalo, MI?
The median home value in New Buffalo is $391,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x.
How educated is New Buffalo, Michigan?
42.8% of adults (25+) in New Buffalo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.