Buffalo city, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Buffalo city, Missouri has a total population of 3,358, the 189th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $32,630, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 38.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (38.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
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: 39 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buffalo city Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado Springs city | 3,545 | $31,982 | $83,700 | 11.3% | 29.0% |
| East Prairie city | 2,930 | $31,159 | $58,000 | 9.3% | 30.8% |
| Licking city | 2,816 | $32,813 | $109,000 | 6.6% | 36.3% |
| Northwoods city | 3,654 | $40,787 | $72,300 | 14.7% | 24.4% |
| Cuba city | 3,172 | $44,217 | $171,000 | 9.4% | 16.7% |
Population Overview
Buffalo city is a small community located in Missouri. The total population is 3,358. It ranks as the 189th most populous out of 1,062 cities and towns in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buffalo city is 32.0 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buffalo city is $32,630. This is 53% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 58% lower. The poverty rate stands at 38.2%. This is 203% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $131,300. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $215,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 39.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Buffalo city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (7.7% vs 5.1%).
Education
24.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.4%. Notably, 15.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buffalo city, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Buffalo city, Missouri?
Buffalo city, Missouri has a population of 3,358 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buffalo city, MO?
The median household income in Buffalo city is $32,630, which is 58% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Buffalo city, MO?
The poverty rate in Buffalo city is 38.2%. This means approximately 1,210 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buffalo city, Missouri?
Buffalo city's population is 90.1% White, 0.0% Black, 7.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buffalo city, MO?
The median home value in Buffalo city is $131,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Buffalo city, Missouri?
24.6% of adults (25+) in Buffalo city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.