Buffalo town, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Buffalo town, South Dakota has a total population of 282, the 204th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $81,607, which is 13% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Buffalo town Quick Facts
How Buffalo town 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: 33 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buffalo town Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Harding County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Crook town | 35 | $39,375 | 14.3% | $66,100 |
Cities Similar to Buffalo town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soldier Creek CDP | 271 | N/A | N/A | 9.3% | 91.9% |
| Florence town | 289 | $69,531 | $137,500 | 6.4% | 11.3% |
| Pollock town | 274 | $67,019 | $80,900 | 29.2% | 12.0% |
| Pukwana town | 276 | $61,750 | $119,600 | 18.4% | 3.3% |
| Pickstown town | 254 | $94,375 | $271,400 | 40.1% | 11.4% |
Population Overview
Buffalo town is a small community located in South Dakota, within Harding County. The total population is 282. It ranks as the 204th most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buffalo town is 54.6 years. This is 45% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. Only 14.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buffalo town is $81,607. This is 13% higher than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 4% higher. The poverty rate stands at 6.0%. This is 50% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $112,500. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $236,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Buffalo town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Buffalo town has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%.
Education
20.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buffalo town, South Dakota 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 South Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Buffalo town, South Dakota?
Buffalo town, South Dakota has a population of 282 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buffalo town, SD?
The median household income in Buffalo town is $81,607, which is 4% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Buffalo town, SD?
The poverty rate in Buffalo town is 6.0%. This means approximately 17 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buffalo town, South Dakota?
Buffalo town's population is 94.3% White, 0.0% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buffalo town, SD?
The median home value in Buffalo town is $112,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Buffalo town, South Dakota?
20.4% of adults (25+) in Buffalo town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.