Buffalo, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Buffalo, South Carolina had a total population of 1,329, the 237th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $21,614, which is 69% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 50.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 69% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (50.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 12.8% is notably above the national average.
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 | 1,232 | 1,329 | +7.9% |
| Median household income | $21,831 | $21,614 | -1.0% |
| Median home value | $44,400 | $46,400 | +4.5% |
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: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buffalo Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union | 8,079 | $31,914 | 28.9% | $109,400 |
| Monarch Mill | 1,822 | $39,350 | 21.0% | $82,600 |
| Jonesville | 1,118 | $40,625 | 19.8% | $91,700 |
| Carlisle | 494 | $61,029 | 4.3% | $66,300 |
| Lockhart | 405 | $39,000 | 12.9% | $37,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitmire | 1,319 | $37,837 | $53,500 | 14.8% | 24.3% |
| Blackville | 1,778 | $21,742 | $80,400 | 7.4% | 32.9% |
| Holly Hill | 1,218 | $34,135 | $232,000 | 19.9% | 38.6% |
| East Sumter | 943 | N/A | $72,900 | 9.8% | 19.7% |
| Tigerville | 1,880 | N/A | N/A | 65.3% | 13.4% |
Population Overview
Buffalo is a small community located in South Carolina, within Union County. The total population is 1,329. It ranks as the 237th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buffalo is 30.8 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 40.6% of the population under 18, Buffalo has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buffalo is $21,614. This is 69% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 73% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 50.5%. This is 259% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. 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 12.8%. This is 162% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $46,400. Housing costs are 82% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Buffalo is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 97.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Buffalo was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 99.4% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
8.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 32.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buffalo, South Carolina 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 South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Buffalo, South Carolina?
Buffalo, South Carolina has a population of 1,329 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buffalo, SC?
The median household income in Buffalo is $21,614, which is 73% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Buffalo, SC?
The poverty rate in Buffalo is 50.5%. This means approximately 671 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buffalo, South Carolina?
Buffalo's population is 99.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buffalo, SC?
The median home value in Buffalo is $46,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Buffalo, South Carolina?
8.3% of adults (25+) in Buffalo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.