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Buffalo city, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 38.2% is well above the state average

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

Buffalo city Quick Facts

Population 3,358
Median Household Income $32,630
Median Home Value $131,300
Poverty Rate 38.2%
Unemployment Rate 4.3%
Median Age 32.0 years
Homeownership Rate 39.9%
Affordability Ratio 4.0x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 24.6%
High School Graduation Rate 90.4%
Diversity Index 18/100
Population 3,358 189th of 1,062
Median Income $32,630 bottom 10%
Poverty Rate 38.2% 207% higher national
Median Home Value $131,300 average

How Buffalo city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

4.3% Unemployment Rate State: 4.1% | National: 5.2%
49.2% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 39.9%
Renter 60.1%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.0x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

18out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 39 | National average: 60

Education

Buffalo city Rankings in Missouri

#189 Population of 1,062
#889 Median Income of 1,062
#249 Education of 1,062
#388 Home Value of 1,062

Cities Similar to Buffalo city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
El Dorado Springs city3,545$31,982$83,70011.3%29.0%
East Prairie city2,930$31,159$58,0009.3%30.8%
Licking city2,816$32,813$109,0006.6%36.3%
Northwoods city3,654$40,787$72,30014.7%24.4%
Cuba city3,172$44,217$171,0009.4%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.