Village · Illinois
Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Buffalo Grove, village, mostly in Lake County (68.0% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Cook County, Illinois. Buffalo Grove had 42,812 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 43,212 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 42,891 (±67). GEOID 1709447.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
42,812
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 43,212 · ACS 2020-2024: 42,891 ±67
Median household income
$129,395
±$8,479 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$412,300
±$11,795 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$2,037
±$148 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
Where is Buffalo Grove and what county is it in?
Buffalo Grove is a village mostly in Lake County (68.0% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Cook County, Illinois. It covers 9.6 square miles of land, 4,516 residents per square mile in 2020.
Buffalo Grove is in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 13 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Buffalo Grove lies mostly within Vernon Township and reaches into Wheeling Township, towns or townships with their own local government (2020 census blocks).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lake County | 29,400 | 68.0% |
| Cook County | 13,812 | 32.0% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Buffalo Grove, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 42,812 people lived in Buffalo Grove on July 1, 2025, down 0.9% since 2020, in line with Illinois (−0.8%). The 2020 Census counted 43,212 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 42,891 (±67).
| Measure | Buffalo Grove | Lake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 42,891 ±67 | 714,223 | +1,829 |
| Households | 16,213 ±461 | 258,455 | +814 |
| Average household size | 2.63 ±0.07 | 2.69 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 16,593 ±495 | 270,618 | no clear change |
Buffalo Grove's population since 2000
From 42,909 in 2000 to 42,812 in 2025: down 0.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Buffalo Grove as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Buffalo Grove?
The median resident of Buffalo Grove is 42.0 years old; 24.5% are under 18 and 15.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 58.2%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 29.7%. 38.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Buffalo Grove | Lake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0 ±1.0 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.5% ±1.6 pts | 23.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.8% ±1.3 pts | 15.8% | – |
| Male | 48.0% ±1.2 pts | 50.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.8% ±1.3 pts | 24.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 58.2% ±2.8 pts | 56.2% | −9.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.4% ±2.1 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 29.7% ±2.0 pts | 8.6% | +8.7 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.3% ±0.6 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 38.1% ±2.9 pts | 19.8% | +5.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 45.4% ±3.0 pts | 31.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.5% ±0.6 pts | 4.7% | – |
| With a disability | 7.1% ±0.8 pts | 9.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.8% ±0.8 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.8% ±0.7 pts | 90.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 68.6% ±2.0 pts | 47.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 31.1% ±2.1 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.6% ±1.9 pts | 88.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2% ±0.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Buffalo Grove earn?
Half of Buffalo Grove's 16,213 households earn less than $129,395 a year (±$8,479), against $110,416 in Lake County and $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 the median was $142,700 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $13,305 after inflation. 7.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Buffalo Grove | Lake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $129,395 ±$8,479 | $110,416 | −$13,305 |
| Mean household income | $164,157 ±$9,470 | $155,726 | – |
| Per capita income | $62,568 ±$3,920 | $57,153 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.2% ±2.4 pts | 8.3% | +3.8 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.2% ±5.6 pts | 11.5% | +9.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.5% ±2.1 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.0% ±1.3 pts | 97.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.1% ±1.5 pts | 94.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Buffalo Grove?
Owners occupy 79.8% of Buffalo Grove's occupied homes and renters 20.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $412,300 by its owner (±$11,795). The median renter pays $2,037 a month including utilities, and 27.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Buffalo Grove | Lake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $412,300 ±$11,795 | $345,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $2,037 ±$148 | $1,477 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 27.4% ±6.0 pts | 40.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,839 ±$128 | $2,503 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.8% ±2.4 pts | 74.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 20.2% ±2.4 pts | 25.2% | – |
| Housing units | 16,593 ±495 | 270,618 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.0% ±3.5 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 53.7% ±2.7 pts | 66.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.7% ±0.7 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.1% ±0.5 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.7% ±1.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Buffalo Grove building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units in Buffalo Grove in 2025 (1 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 1.5 across Illinois.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Buffalo Grove work and get to work?
58.1% of Buffalo Grove's workers drive alone and 32.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.7%.
| Measure | Buffalo Grove | Lake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.2% ±2.1 pts | 68.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7% ±0.7 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 58.1% ±2.7 pts | 65.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.9% ±1.2 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.8% ±0.9 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.0% ±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 32.1% ±3.0 pts | 19.5% | +24.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.3 min ±1.1 | 28.5 min | −4.7 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Buffalo Grove?
8 census tracts lie mostly in Buffalo Grove, and 11 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $85,865 (Tract 8030.12) to $205,759 (Tract 8645.18).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 8030.13Cook County | 5,690 | $104,564 |
| Tract 8645.19Lake County | 5,562 | $139,404 |
| Tract 8645.18Lake County | 5,051 | $205,759 |
| Tract 8645.16Lake County | 4,271 | $139,522 |
| Tract 8645.20Lake County | 5,166 | $147,321 |
| Tract 8030.10Cook County | 4,351 | $119,125 |
| Tract 8645.17Lake County | 3,066 | $205,142 |
| Tract 8645.12Lake County | 4,752 | $200,670 |
| Tract 8030.07Cook County | 5,092 | $91,553 |
| Tract 8645.23Lake County | 4,084 | $97,672 |
| Tract 8025.03Cook County | 7,232 | $106,076 |
| Tract 8030.12Cook County | 2,135 | $85,865 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Buffalo Grove) · Census block assignment files
How does Buffalo Grove compare with other places in Illinois?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Buffalo Grove is the 964th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 35th-most populous of 1,294 in Illinois.
Buffalo Grove ranks 113th of 1,380 places in Illinois with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 35th | 1,294 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 416th | 1,347 |
| Residents per square mile | 72nd | 1,383 |
| Median household income | 113th | 1,380 |
| Per capita income | 98th | 1,383 |
| Median home value | 84th | 1,379 |
| Median gross rent | 37th | 1,280 |
| Poverty rate | 776th | 1,119 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38th | 1,369 |
| Median age | 585th | 1,383 |
| Owner-occupied share | 583rd | 1,382 |
| Work from home | 20th | 1,015 |
| Travel time to work | 617th | 1,382 |
Buffalo Grove's figures with every place in Illinois (CSV)
Every place in Illinois, sortable · Compare Buffalo Grove with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Buffalo Grove?
7 of the 57 figures for Buffalo Grove on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Buffalo Grove are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Buffalo Grove.