City · Minnesota
Buffalo, Minnesota
Buffalo, city, in Wright County, Minnesota. Buffalo had 16,878 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 16,168 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 16,499 (±61). GEOID 2708452.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,878
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 16,168 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,499 ±61
Median household income
$88,820
±$5,708 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$314,400
±$17,139 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$1,182
±$114 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
Where is Buffalo and what county is it in?
Buffalo is a city in Wright County, Minnesota. It covers 7.8 square miles of land, 2,083 residents per square mile in 2020.
Buffalo is in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 15 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Buffalo, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 16,878 people lived in Buffalo on July 1, 2025, up 4.3% since 2020, faster than Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020 Census counted 16,168 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 16,499 (±61).
| Measure | Buffalo | Wright County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,499 ±61 | 148,269 | +289 |
| Households | 6,329 ±305 | 54,010 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.54 ±0.12 | 2.72 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,506 ±311 | 57,416 | no clear change |
Buffalo's population since 2000
From 10,097 in 2000 to 16,878 in 2025: up 67.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Buffalo 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?
The median resident of Buffalo is 38.6 years old; 24.0% are under 18 and 17.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.9%. 4.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Buffalo | Wright County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.6 ±1.9 | 37.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.0% ±2.3 pts | 27.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.3% ±1.6 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Male | 48.6% ±2.1 pts | 50.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.5% ±1.3 pts | 3.6% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.7% ±2.1 pts | 88.0% | −4.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.9% ±1.2 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.5 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9% ±1.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.3% ±1.8 pts | 4.5% | +2.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.6% ±1.8 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1% ±1.8 pts | 5.7% | – |
| With a disability | 14.5% ±2.5 pts | 9.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.8% ±2.4 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.8% ±2.0 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.0% ±4.3 pts | 34.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.5% ±3.9 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.3% ±3.0 pts | 91.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.2% ±2.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
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 earn?
Half of Buffalo's 6,329 households earn less than $88,820 a year (±$5,708), against $107,209 in Wright County and $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $91,016 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Buffalo | Wright County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $88,820 ±$5,708 | $107,209 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $102,339 ±$6,178 | $126,718 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,807 ±$2,643 | $46,650 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.9% ±3.0 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.5% ±8.8 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.0% ±2.1 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.9% ±1.9 pts | 96.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.8% ±2.8 pts | 93.2% | – |
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?
Owners occupy 74.3% of Buffalo's occupied homes and renters 25.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $314,400 by its owner (±$17,139). The median renter pays $1,182 a month including utilities, and 40.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Buffalo | Wright County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $314,400 ±$17,139 | $358,900 | +$63,708 |
| Median gross rent | $1,182 ±$114 | $1,288 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.1% ±11.5 pts | 32.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,047 ±$105 | $2,098 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.3% ±4.1 pts | 84.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 25.7% ±4.1 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Housing units | 6,506 ±311 | 57,416 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8% ±1.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.8% ±5.7 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.5% ±4.9 pts | 78.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.0% ±1.7 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.8% ±0.9 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.2% ±1.6 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.9% ±2.5 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.9% ±1.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 building?
Builders took permits for 61 new housing units in Buffalo in 2025 (61 in single-family houses), 3.6 per 1,000 residents against 3.6 across Minnesota.
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 work and get to work?
76.9% of Buffalo's workers drive alone and 12.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.0%.
| Measure | Buffalo | Wright County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.3% ±3.2 pts | 72.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0% ±3.2 pts | 2.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.9% ±3.4 pts | 74.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.6% ±2.6 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.8% ±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.6% ±2.5 pts | 15.0% | +7.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.5 min ±2.2 | 29.4 min | no clear change |
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?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Buffalo, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $82,841 (Tract 1007.01) to $96,474 (Tract 1007.05).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1007.01Wright County | 7,124 | $82,841 |
| Tract 1007.04Wright County | 4,428 | $87,737 |
| Tract 1007.05Wright County | 3,607 | $96,474 |
| Tract 1007.06Wright County | 5,806 | $120,455 |
| Tract 1009Wright County | 7,679 | $94,842 |
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) · Census block assignment files
How does Buffalo compare with other places in Minnesota?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Buffalo is the 2,216th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 69th-most populous of 855 in Minnesota.
Buffalo ranks 287th of 558 places in Minnesota with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 69th | 855 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 133rd | 556 |
| Residents per square mile | 60th | 562 |
| Median household income | 287th | 558 |
| Per capita income | 343rd | 562 |
| Median home value | 282nd | 559 |
| Median gross rent | 188th | 465 |
| Poverty rate | 189th | 461 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 235th | 559 |
| Median age | 390th | 561 |
| Owner-occupied share | 380th | 561 |
| Work from home | 253rd | 525 |
| Travel time to work | 174th | 562 |
Buffalo's figures with every place in Minnesota (CSV)
Every place in Minnesota, sortable · Compare Buffalo 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?
8 of the 57 figures for Buffalo 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 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.