Buffalo, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Buffalo, Minnesota had a total population of 16,499, the 69th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $88,820, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 8.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Buffalo Quick Facts
How 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 | 16,388 | 16,499 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $88,306 | $88,820 | +0.6% |
| Median home value | $281,900 | $314,400 | +11.5% |
How 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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buffalo Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Wright County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otsego | 22,245 | $119,927 | 3.5% | $396,700 |
| St. Michael | 20,010 | $131,274 | 3.2% | $390,100 |
| Monticello | 14,858 | $79,534 | 6.8% | $323,700 |
| Albertville | 8,207 | $132,734 | 1.1% | $343,700 |
| Delano | 6,942 | $109,946 | 4.0% | $375,200 |
| Montrose | 3,888 | $102,625 | 5.3% | $275,700 |
| Annandale | 3,399 | $65,583 | 8.9% | $251,800 |
| Cokato | 2,782 | $70,288 | 14.4% | $223,300 |
| Waverly | 2,285 | $112,222 | 10.6% | $323,100 |
| Maple Lake | 2,042 | $93,750 | 4.4% | $246,800 |
Cities Similar to Buffalo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hugo | 16,340 | $116,228 | $408,900 | 46.5% | 2.8% |
| Robbinsdale | 14,234 | $88,252 | $295,600 | 41.4% | 11.5% |
| Red Wing | 16,758 | $67,192 | $237,300 | 25.3% | 13.8% |
| Monticello | 14,858 | $79,534 | $323,700 | 23.5% | 6.8% |
| Ham Lake | 16,702 | $120,135 | $442,500 | 36.9% | 4.0% |
Population Overview
Buffalo is a small city located in Minnesota, within Wright County. The total population is 16,499. It ranks as the 69th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buffalo is 38.6 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buffalo is $88,820. This is about the same as the state median of $89,062. It is also 10% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.9%. This is 4% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 47% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $314,400. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 74.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Buffalo has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 6.4%. The Asian population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
32.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 39.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buffalo, Minnesota 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 Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota. 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, Minnesota?
Buffalo, Minnesota has a population of 16,499 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buffalo, MN?
The median household income in Buffalo is $88,820, which is 10% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Buffalo, MN?
The poverty rate in Buffalo is 8.9%. This means approximately 1,441 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buffalo, Minnesota?
Buffalo's population is 91.7% White, 0.2% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buffalo, MN?
The median home value in Buffalo is $314,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Buffalo, Minnesota?
32.0% of adults (25+) in Buffalo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.