Buffalo Lake city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Buffalo Lake city, Minnesota has a total population of 664, the 437th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $56,719, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Buffalo Lake city Quick Facts
How Buffalo Lake city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buffalo Lake city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Renville County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olivia city | 2,243 | $62,683 | 13.2% | $156,600 |
| Renville city | 1,397 | $73,750 | 11.2% | $109,700 |
| Fairfax city | 1,134 | $53,750 | 14.8% | $99,800 |
| Hector city | 1,111 | $59,762 | 7.8% | $124,100 |
| Bird Island city | 964 | $71,190 | 10.6% | $114,600 |
| Sacred Heart city | 522 | $63,125 | 20.3% | $57,600 |
| Franklin city | 513 | $54,904 | 15.1% | $84,800 |
| Danube city | 489 | $62,014 | 2.3% | $137,500 |
| Morton city | 432 | $63,571 | 7.4% | $76,600 |
Cities Similar to Buffalo Lake city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hokah city | 673 | $60,313 | $184,900 | 15.7% | 9.5% |
| Greenbush city | 685 | $58,438 | $131,700 | 26.6% | 4.2% |
| Randall city | 647 | $53,333 | $169,400 | 12.1% | 13.9% |
| Trimont city | 658 | $51,250 | $83,900 | 22.5% | 17.3% |
| Deerwood city | 649 | $62,679 | $214,700 | 30.5% | 9.4% |
Population Overview
Buffalo Lake city is a small community located in Minnesota, within Renville County. The total population is 664. It ranks as the 437th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buffalo Lake city is 41.2 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 16.7% 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 Lake city is $56,719. This is 35% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.4%. This is 89% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 39% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $106,000. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Buffalo Lake city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Buffalo Lake city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (27.9% vs 6.2%).
Education
20.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buffalo Lake city, Minnesota 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 Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 913 Census-designated places in Minnesota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Buffalo Lake city, Minnesota?
Buffalo Lake city, Minnesota has a population of 664 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buffalo Lake city, MN?
The median household income in Buffalo Lake city is $56,719, which is 28% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Buffalo Lake city, MN?
The poverty rate in Buffalo Lake city is 17.4%. This means approximately 103 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buffalo Lake city, Minnesota?
Buffalo Lake city's population is 68.5% White, 0.0% Black, 27.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buffalo Lake city, MN?
The median home value in Buffalo Lake city is $106,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Buffalo Lake city, Minnesota?
20.1% of adults (25+) in Buffalo Lake city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.