County · Wisconsin
Buffalo County, Wisconsin
Buffalo County, Wisconsin. Buffalo County had 13,318 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, about level with 2020, slower than Wisconsin (+1.3%). It holds 25 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs, 17 towns and townships and 2 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 55011.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
13,318
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 13,317 · ACS 2020-2024: 13,393
Median household income
$70,479
±$3,724 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $77,485
Median home value
$213,300
±$7,564 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $266,500
Median gross rent
$876
±$47 (90% margin)
Wisconsin: $1,087
How many people live in Buffalo County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 13,317 residents in Buffalo County. The Census Bureau estimates 13,318 for July 1, 2025, about level with 2020, slower than Wisconsin (+1.3%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 13,393 over 676 square miles of land.
| Measure | Buffalo County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,393 | 5,914,872 | +267 |
| Households | 5,720±142 | 2,479,480 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.32±0.06 | 2.33 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,522±81 | 2,778,572 | −266 |
Buffalo County's population since 2000
From 13,804 in 2000 to 13,318 in 2025: down 3.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Buffalo County?
Buffalo County holds 25 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 17 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Mondovi with 2,853 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Mondovi | 2,845 | $54,355 |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo City | 1,007 | $60,865 |
| Fountain City | 806 | $51,750 |
| Buffalo (town), Buffalo County | 746 | $83,500 |
| Alma | 716 | $58,368 |
| Naples (town) | 697 | $97,000 |
| Nelson (town) | 574 | $78,125 |
| Milton (town), Buffalo County | 541 | $82,813 |
| Dover (town), Buffalo County | 515 | $60,000 |
| Waumandee (town) | 508 | $76,250 |
| Mondovi (town) | 451 | $90,417 |
| Gilmanton (town) | 425 | $61,625 |
| Cochrane | 423 | $88,542 |
| Belvidere (town) | 403 | $90,341 |
| Glencoe (town) | 402 | $77,000 |
| Cross (town) | 368 | $93,333 |
| Nelson | 322 | $70,625 |
| Maxville (town) | 321 | $122,813 |
| Modena (town) | 313 | $93,125 |
| Montana (town)GEOID 5501153850 | 268 | $91,964 |
| Alma (town), Buffalo County | 254 | $61,447 |
| Canton (town) | 245 | $84,063 |
| Lincoln (town), Buffalo CountyGEOID 5501144300 | 167 | $85,000 |
| GilmantonGEOID 5529200 | 155 | $52,000 |
| WaumandeeGEOID 5584300 | 62 | $70,313 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Buffalo County?
The median resident of Buffalo County is 46.5 years old; 19.9% are under 18 and 24.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.9%. 1.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Buffalo County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.5±0.3 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.9%±0.3 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.0%±0.2 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.9% | 8.0% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.6%±0.5 pts | 78.6% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 5.9% | −0.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 2.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6%±0.4 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.7%±0.3 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.8%±0.4 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.7%±0.8 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 15.4%±1.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.2%±0.6 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.7%±1.3 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.1%±1.4 pts | 33.4% | +2.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.5%±0.8 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1%±0.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
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 County earn?
Half of Buffalo County's 5,720 households earn less than $70,479 a year (±$3,724), against $77,485 in Wisconsin. In 2015-2019 it was $71,170 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Buffalo County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $70,479±$3,724 | $77,485 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $85,332±$3,237 | $101,466 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,280±$1,258 | $43,373 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.4%±0.9 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.7%±2.0 pts | 12.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.5%±1.8 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.8%±1.6 pts | 90.3% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 77.5% of Buffalo County's occupied homes and renters 22.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $213,300 by its owner (±$7,564). The median renter pays $876 a month including utilities, and 31.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Buffalo County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $213,300±$7,564 | $266,500 | +$16,758 |
| Median gross rent | $876±$47 | $1,087 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.4%±5.7 pts | 35.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,543±$68 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.5%±2.2 pts | 67.8% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,522±81 | 2,778,572 | −266 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.1%±1.9 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.7%±2.2 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.5%±1.0 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 26.8%±2.1 pts | 17.8% | – |
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 County building?
Builders took permits for 40 new housing units across Buffalo County in 2025 (40 single-family), 3.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Buffalo County get to work?
79.5% of Buffalo County's workers drive alone and 10.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.9%.
| Measure | Buffalo County | Wisconsin | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.8%±1.4 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9%±0.6 pts | 3.2% | +0.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 79.5%±1.8 pts | 74.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.6%±1.1 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 3.2%±0.8 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.0%±1.1 pts | 13.1% | +3.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.5 min±1.1 | 22.2 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 are Buffalo County's census tracts?
Buffalo County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $54,412 (Tract 9602) to $84,904 (Tract 9601).
| Tract 960155011960100 | 2,471±142 | $84,904 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960255011960200 | 3,013±67 | $54,412 |
| Tract 960355011960300 | 2,181±115 | $70,500 |
| Tract 960455011960400 | 2,451±167 | $77,250 |
| Tract 960555011960500 | 3,277±147 | $75,000 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Buffalo County compare with Wisconsin's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 67th of 72 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 56th of 72 |
| Residents per square mile | 63rd of 72 |
| Median household income | 40th of 72 |
| Median home value | 45th of 72 |
| Median gross rent | 37th of 72 |
| Poverty rate | 56th of 72 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 48th of 72 |
| Median age | 23rd of 72 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 County 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' school search.