Buffalo, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Buffalo, Missouri had a total population of 3,417, the 189th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $39,896, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 3,358 | 3,417 | +1.8% |
| Median household income | $32,630 | $39,896 | +22.3% |
| Median home value | $131,300 | $141,800 | +8.0% |
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: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buffalo Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Dallas County
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 3,228 | $38,673 | $72,100 | 13.5% | 31.7% |
| Malden | 3,805 | $40,118 | $101,300 | 10.6% | 30.1% |
| Northwoods | 3,623 | $45,330 | $76,000 | 21.9% | 24.8% |
| Cuba | 3,189 | $45,916 | $136,600 | 9.5% | 14.1% |
| Ava | 3,045 | $42,500 | $148,000 | 12.1% | 21.7% |
Population Overview
Buffalo is a small community located in Missouri, within Dallas County. The total population is 3,417. It ranks as the 189th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buffalo is 41.9 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buffalo is $39,896. This is 44% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.3%. This is 77% 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 7.5%. This is 87% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $141,800. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 44.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Buffalo has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.
Education
27.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.4%. Notably, 16.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buffalo, Missouri 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 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. 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, Missouri?
Buffalo, Missouri has a population of 3,417 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buffalo, MO?
The median household income in Buffalo is $39,896, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Buffalo, MO?
The poverty rate in Buffalo is 22.3%. This means approximately 720 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buffalo, Missouri?
Buffalo's population is 93.4% White, 0.2% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buffalo, MO?
The median home value in Buffalo is $141,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Buffalo, Missouri?
27.8% of adults (25+) in Buffalo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.