Buffalo, South Dakota

Submit your own pictures of this town and show them to the world

  • OSM Map
  • General Map
  • Google Map
  • MSN Map
Population in 2022: 356 (0% urban, 100% rural).
Population change since 2000: -6.3%
 
Males: 210  (59.1%)
Females: 146  (40.9%)
Median resident age:

53.6 years
South Dakota median age:

38.5 years

Zip codes: 57720.

Estimated median household income in 2022: $71,904 (it was $21,875 in 2000)
Buffalo:

$71,904
SD:

$69,728

Estimated per capita income in 2022: $46,092 (it was $13,208 in 2000)

Buffalo town income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $113,403 (it was $43,800 in 2000)
Buffalo:

$113,403
SD:

$245,000

Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: $146,326; detached houses: $163,173; mobile homes: $93,685

Median gross rent in 2022: $621.

March 2022 cost of living index in Buffalo: 75.7 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2022: 6.1%

Compare current foreclosures near your location:

Check out more offers near your location.
Powered by Foreclosure.com
Settings
X
Data:
Loading data...
Based on 2000-2022 data
Loading data...

123
Hide US histogram
  • Races in Buffalo, SD (2022)
    • 31594.0%White alone
    • 92.7%Other race alone
    • 72.1%Two or more races
    • 41.2%Hispanic

Races in Buffalo detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth

Recent articles from our blog. Our writers, many of them Ph.D. graduates or candidates, create easy-to-read articles on a wide variety of topics.
Buffalo, SD forum
Recent posts about Buffalo, South Dakota on our local forum with over 2,400,000 registered users. Buffalo is mentioned 487 times on our forum:
Buffalo Calving  (0 replies)
Visiting SD. Need suggestions/recommendations  (10 replies)
Buffalo Stampede  (2 replies)
Looking at buying land between Redig and Buffalo!  (26 replies)
Area to avoid in RC  (52 replies)
South Dakota Stereotypes?  (82 replies)

Latest news from Buffalo, SD collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: German (23.9%), Norwegian (23.9%), American (15.4%), Scandinavian (15.4%), Irish (6.8%), Czech (4.3%).

Current Local Time: MST time zone

Incorporated on 5/5/1949

Elevation: 2877 feet

Land area: 0.55 square miles.

Population density: 650 people per square mile   (low).

Buffalo, South Dakota map

5 residents are foreign born

This town:

1.5%
South Dakota:

3.8%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2022: $1,563 (1.1%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2022: $2,108 (2.0%)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Rapid City, SD (105.5 miles , pop. 59,607).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: West Adams, CO (401.7 miles , pop. 259,628).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Chicago, IL (832.8 miles , pop. 2,896,016).

Nearest cities:

Camp Crook, SD (4.6 miles),
Prairie City, SD (6.0 miles),
Bowman, ND (6.5 miles ),
Gascoyne, ND (6.6 miles),
Scranton, ND (6.6 miles ),
Rhame, ND (6.7 miles),
Reeder, ND (6.8 miles),
Bucyrus, ND (7.0 miles)

Latitude: 45.58 N, Longitude: 103.55 W

Area code: 605

Distribution of median household income in Buffalo, SD in 2022
Distribution of house value in Buffalo, SD in 2022
Buffalo satellite photo by USGS

Single-family new house construction building permits:

  • 2022: 1 building, cost: $800,000
  • 2021: 1 building, cost: $800,000
  • 2020: 1 building, cost: $800,000
  • 2019: 1 building, cost: $800,000
  • 2018: 2 buildings, average cost: $116,700
  • 2017: 3 buildings, average cost: $116,700
  • 2016: 3 buildings, average cost: $116,700
  • 2015: 5 buildings, average cost: $144,200
  • 2014: 5 buildings, average cost: $144,200
  • 2013: 5 buildings, average cost: $144,200
  • 2012: 3 buildings, average cost: $43,300
  • 2003: 1 building, cost: $50,000
  • 2001: 1 building, cost: $120,000
  • 1998: 1 building, cost: $15,000
  • 1997: 1 building, cost: $30,000
Number of permits per 10,000 Buffalo, SD residents
Average permit cost in Buffalo, SD
Unemployment in December 2023:
Here:

1.8%
South Dakota:

2.0%
Most common industries in Buffalo, SD (%)
Both Males Females
Most common industries in 2000
  • Construction (14.0%)
  • Educational services (13.4%)
  • Mining, quarrying, oil & gas extraction (12.2%)
  • Public administration (12.2%)
  • Accommodation & food services (8.5%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (6.7%)
  • Food & beverage stores (5.5%)
Most common industries for males in 2000
  • Mining, quarrying, oil & gas extraction (20.8%)
  • Construction (20.8%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (10.4%)
  • Educational services (10.4%)
  • Public administration (7.3%)
  • Accommodation & food services (5.2%)
  • Truck transportation (4.2%)
Most common industries for females in 2000
  • Public administration (19.1%)
  • Educational services (17.6%)
  • Accommodation & food services (13.2%)
  • Food & beverage stores (8.8%)
  • Gasoline stations (5.9%)
  • U. S. Postal service (5.9%)
  • Groceries & related products merchant wholesalers (4.4%)
Most common occupations in Buffalo, SD (%)
Both Males Females
Most common occupations in 2000
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (9.8%)
  • Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (9.1%)
  • Other construction workers and helpers (5.5%)
  • Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks (4.9%)
  • Supervisors, construction and extraction workers (3.7%)
  • Agricultural workers, including supervisors (3.7%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (3.7%)
Most common occupations for males in 2000
  • Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (10.4%)
  • Other construction workers and helpers (9.4%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (6.2%)
  • Supervisors, construction and extraction workers (6.2%)
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (6.2%)
  • Farmers and farm managers (5.2%)
  • Life and physical scientists (5.2%)
Most common occupations for females in 2000
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (14.7%)
  • Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks (11.8%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (8.8%)
  • Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (7.4%)
  • Food and beverage serving workers, except waiters and waitresses (5.9%)
  • Cooks and food preparation workers (5.9%)
  • Cashiers (5.9%)

Average climate in Buffalo, South Dakota

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Buffalo, South Dakota average temperatures Buffalo, South Dakota average precipitation Buffalo, South Dakota humidity Buffalo, South Dakota wind speed Buffalo, South Dakota snowfall Buffalo, South Dakota sunshine Buffalo, South Dakota clear and cloudy days

Tornado activity:

Buffalo-area historical tornado activity is significantly below South Dakota state average. It is 77% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 7/7/1969, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 23.3 miles away from the Buffalo town center caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages.

On 7/18/1963, a category F3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado 42.2 miles away from the town center caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Buffalo-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above South Dakota state average. It is 205% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 8/18/1959 at 06:37:13, a magnitude 7.7 (7.7 UK, Class: Major, Intensity: VIII - XII) earthquake occurred 354.2 miles away from Buffalo center, causing $26,000,000 total damage
On 10/28/1983 at 14:06:06, a magnitude 7.3 (6.2 MB, 7.3 MS, 7.0 MW) earthquake occurred 513.4 miles away from the city center, causing 2 deaths (2 shaking deaths) and 3 injuries, causing $15,000,000 total damage
On 9/8/1984 at 00:59:31, a magnitude 5.1 (5.1 MB, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 149.6 miles away from the city center
On 10/18/1984 at 15:30:23, a magnitude 5.5 (5.4 MB, 5.1 MS, 5.5 ML) earthquake occurred 242.5 miles away from Buffalo center
On 6/30/1975 at 18:54:13, a magnitude 6.1 (5.6 MB, 5.9 MS, 6.1 UK, 6.1 ML, Class: Strong, Intensity: VII - IX) earthquake occurred 356.5 miles away from the city center
On 5/29/1984 at 20:18:32, a magnitude 5.0 (5.0 MB) earthquake occurred 151.0 miles away from Buffalo center
Magnitude types: body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Harding County (14) is near the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 11
Emergencies Declared: 1

Causes of natural disasters: Winter Storms: 8, Floods: 4, Storms: 3, Snows: 2, Blizzard: 1, Flash Flood: 1, Hurricane: 1, Mudslide: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Tornado: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Buffalo topographic map

Airports located in Buffalo:

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Buffalo:

  • Black Hills State University (about 78 miles; Spearfish, SD; Full-time enrollment: 3,166)
  • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about 106 miles; Rapid City, SD; FT enrollment: 2,102)
  • University of Mary (about 156 miles; Bismarck, ND; FT enrollment: 2,854)
  • Bismarck State College (about 157 miles; Bismarck, ND; FT enrollment: 3,015)
  • Sheridan College (about 176 miles; Sheridan, WY; FT enrollment: 2,070)
  • Chadron State College (about 194 miles; Chadron, NE; FT enrollment: 2,374)
  • Minot State University (about 213 miles; Minot, ND; FT enrollment: 2,887)

Public high school in Buffalo:

Public elementary/middle schools in Buffalo:

See full list of schools located in Buffalo

Library in Buffalo:

  • NORTHWEST REGIONAL LIBRARY (Operating income: $37,730; Location: 410 RAMSLAND ST; 10,000 books; 250 audio materials; 350 video materials; 24 state licensed databases)

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear town borders

Notable locations in Buffalo: Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department (A), Northwest Regional Library (B), Harding County Courthouse (C), Harding County Ambulance Service (D). Display/hide their locations on the map

Hotel: Tipperary Lodge Motel (Po Box 113).

Court: South Dakota State - Buffalo-Harding County- Court System-Buffalo-Harding Co- Court H (Po Box 534).

Harding County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Buffalo and their reported violations in the past:

BUFFALO (Population served: 330, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) - Between JUL-2011 and SEP-2011, Contaminant: Chlorine. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (OCT-24-2011), St Compliance achieved (JAN-04-2012)
Average household size:
This town:

2.0 people
South Dakota:

2.4 people

Percentage of family households:
This town:

51.2%
Whole state:

64.2%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This town:

2.4%
Whole state:

6.5%


Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
  • Lesbian couples: 0.0% of all households
  • Gay men: 0.6% of all households

Banks with branches in Buffalo (2011 data):

  • Pioneer Bank & Trust: Buffalo Branch at 102 Main Street, branch established on 1913/06/01. Info updated 2011/04/05: Bank assets: $467.3 mil, Deposits: $416.1 mil, headquarters in Belle Fourche, SD, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 7 total offices, Holding Company: Belle Fourche Bancshares, Inc.

For population 15 years and over in Buffalo:

Marital status in Buffalo, SD
  • Never married: 25.2%
  • Now married: 58.8%
  • Separated: 0.0%
  • Widowed: 4.0%
  • Divorced: 12.0%

For population 25 years and over in Buffalo:

  • High school or higher: 92.4%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 24.3%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 3.6%
  • Unemployed: 3.5%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 14.6 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2022
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2022
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

8.9
South Dakota average:

10.5

Travel time (in minutes) to work in 2022
Means of transportation to work in 2022 - Buffalo
Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Buffalo, SD (based on Harding County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Catholic5024
Evangelical Protestant3475
Mainline Protestant1933
None213-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 1
This county:

8.53 / 10,000 pop.
South Dakota:

2.84 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 2
Here:

17.05 / 10,000 pop.
South Dakota:

6.68 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 1
This county:

8.53 / 10,000 pop.
South Dakota:

9.21 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
This county:

7.2%
South Dakota:

7.7%
Adult obesity rate:
Here:

27.8%
South Dakota:

27.7%

Health and Nutrition:

Healthy diet rate:
Buffalo:

40.0%
State:

51.4%

Average overall health of teeth and gums:
Buffalo:

49.4%
South Dakota:

49.4%

Average BMI:
This city:

29.3
South Dakota:

28.5

People feeling badly about themselves:
Buffalo:

18.0%
South Dakota:

20.6%

People not drinking alcohol at all:
Buffalo:

16.4%
South Dakota:

9.7%

Average hours sleeping at night:
This city:

6.9
South Dakota:

6.9

Overweight people:
Buffalo:

45.9%
South Dakota:

34.1%

General health condition:
Here:

55.1%
State:

58.1%

Average condition of hearing:
Here:

85.2%
State:

78.7%

More about Health and Nutrition of Buffalo, SD Residents
Local government employment and payroll (March 2022)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Sewerage 1$3,813$45,7560$0
Water Supply 1$1,476$17,7120$0
Financial Administration 0$0 1$3,682
Other Government Administration 0$0 5$1,500
Solid Waste Management 0$0 1$750
Streets and Highways 0$0 1$1,722
Totals for Government 2$5,289$31,7348$7,654

Buffalo government finances - Expenditure in 2017 (per resident):

  • Construction - Regular Highways: $36,000 ($101.12)
    Financial Administration: $7,000 ($19.66)
    Central Staff Services: $3,000 ($8.43)
  • Current Operations - Liquor Stores: $170,000 ($477.53)
    Solid Waste Management: $65,000 ($182.58)
    Police Protection: $54,000 ($151.69)
    Financial Administration: $43,000 ($120.79)
    Water Utilities: $43,000 ($120.79)
    Sewerage: $35,000 ($98.31)
    Regular Highways: $34,000 ($95.51)
    Parks and Recreation: $13,000 ($36.52)
    Central Staff Services: $9,000 ($25.28)
    Judicial and Legal Services: $8,000 ($22.47)
    Local Fire Protection: $5,000 ($14.04)
    Health - Other: $3,000 ($8.43)
  • Other Capital Outlay - Police Protection: $16,000 ($44.94)
    General - Other: $2,000 ($5.62)
    Sewerage: $2,000 ($5.62)
    Parks and Recreation: $2,000 ($5.62)
    Water Utilities: $1,000 ($2.81)
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $138,000 ($387.64)

Buffalo government finances - Revenue in 2017 (per resident):

  • Charges - Solid Waste Management: $62,000 ($174.16)
    Sewerage: $42,000 ($117.98)
    Miscellaneous Commercial Activities: $2,000 ($5.62)
  • Local Intergovernmental - Highways: $14,000 ($39.33)
  • Miscellaneous - Interest Earnings: $3,000 ($8.43)
    General Revenue - Other: $2,000 ($5.62)
    Donations From Private Sources: $2,000 ($5.62)
  • Revenue - Liquor Stores: $191,000 ($536.52)
    Water Utilities: $58,000 ($162.92)
  • State Intergovernmental - Highways: $23,000 ($64.61)
    General Local Government Support: $2,000 ($5.62)
  • Tax - General Sales and Gross Receipts: $210,000 ($589.89)
    Property: $106,000 ($297.75)
    Alcoholic Beverage License: $2,000 ($5.62)

Buffalo government finances - Cash and Securities in 2017 (per resident):

  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $645,000 ($1811.80)

Strongest AM radio stations in Buffalo:

  • KBHB (810 AM; 25 kW; STURGIS, SD; Owner: MONTEREY LICENSES, LLC)
  • KXMR (710 AM; 50 kW; BISMARCK, ND; Owner: RADIO BISMARCK MANDAN, LLC)
  • KFLN (960 AM; 5 kW; BAKER, MT; Owner: NEWELL BROADCASTING INC.)
  • KKLS (920 AM; 10 kW; RAPID CITY, SD; Owner: MONTEREY LICENSES, LLC)
  • KTWO (1030 AM; 50 kW; CASPER, WY; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KATL (770 AM; 10 kW; MILES CITY, MT; Owner: STAR PRINTING COMPANY)
  • KDSJ (980 AM; 5 kW; DEADWOOD, SD; Owner: GOLDRUSH BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • KMTA (1050 AM; 10 kW; MILES CITY, MT; Owner: SENGER BROADCASTING CORPORATION)
  • KUYO (830 AM; daytime; 25 kW; EVANSVILLE, WY; Owner: WYOMING CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING COMPANY)
  • KLTT (670 AM; 50 kW; COMMERCE CITY, CO; Owner: KLZ RADIO, INC.)
  • KIMB (1260 AM; 50 kW; KIMBALL, NE; Owner: G & L INVESTMENTS, LLC)
  • KPOK (1340 AM; 1 kW; BOWMAN, ND; Owner: TRI-STATE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • KKZN (760 AM; 50 kW; THORNTON, CO; Owner: JACOR BROADCASTING OF COLORADO, INC.)
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 5Number of bridges
  • 66ft / 19.8mTotal length
  • $20,000Total costs
  • 4,384Total average daily traffic
  • 790Total average daily truck traffic
  • 5,729Total future (year 2032) average daily traffic

FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers:

8 (See the full list of FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers in Buffalo)

FCC Registered Antenna Towers:

71 (See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers)

FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers:

9 (See the full list of FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers in Buffalo, SD)

FCC Registered Paging Towers:

1
  • 1.4 Miles North Of (Lat: 45.604139 Lon: -103.547389), Call Sign: WQZ995, Licensee ID: L00116685,
    Assigned Frequencies: 152.030 MHz, Grant Date: 08/03/1998, Expiration Date: 07/01/2008, Cancellation Date: 11/10/2004, Registrant: Golden West Teletech, Inc., 919 Main Street, Rapid City, SD 57709


FCC Registered Maritime Coast & Aviation Ground Towers:

1
  • Harding County Airport (Lat: 45.545833 Lon: -103.476306), Type: Building, Overall height: 2 m, Call Sign: WRLO2081,
    Assigned Frequencies: 109.400 MHz, Grant Date: 09/15/1995, Expiration Date: 09/27/2000, Cancellation Date: 05/06/2001, Registrant: State Of South Dakota, Transportation Bldg, Pierre, SD 57501


FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses:

2
  • Call Sign: WA0CUL, Licensee ID: L00170138, Grant Date: 08/27/2003, Expiration Date: 10/19/2013, Cancellation Date: 10/20/2015, Certifier: Frank R Clark, Registrant: Frank R Clark, 73 Fourth St, Buffalo, SD 57720

  • Call Sign: WB0ZMW, Licensee ID: L01075160, Grant Date: 10/28/2015, Expiration Date: 11/13/2025, Certifier: Norman N Westers, Registrant: Norman N Westers, Box 264, Buffalo, SD 57720



FAA Registered Aircraft:

20 (See the full list of FAA Registered Aircraft in Buffalo)
Most common first names in Buffalo, SD among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
John780.9 years
William674.7 years
Donald565.6 years
Walter478.2 years
Joseph488.5 years
Gladys482.0 years
Carl484.2 years
Clarence382.0 years
Helen384.3 years
Henry377.0 years
Most common last names in Buffalo, SD among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Penn973.1 years
Anderson787.0 years
Johnson775.0 years
Clark585.6 years
Heairet477.0 years
Smith466.5 years
Seppala477.5 years
Ruona471.7 years
Lindholm470.0 years
Dunn484.3 years
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Buffalo, SD
  • 75.0%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 15.9%Electricity
  • 6.8%Utility gas
  • 2.3%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Buffalo, SD
  • 78.4%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 18.9%Electricity
  • 2.7%Other fuel


Buffalo compared to South Dakota state average:

  • Median house value below state average.
  • Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.
  • Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Median age significantly above state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
  • House age above state average.
  • Number of college students significantly below state average.
There are 5 pilots and no other airmen in this city.
Cost of Living Calculator
Top Patent Applicants
Top Patent Applicants
  • Thomas D. Johnson (9)

Total of 9 patent applications in 2008-2024.