Buffalo County, South Dakota Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 60th-largest in South Dakota

The population of Buffalo County, South Dakota is 1,757 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 60th-largest county in South Dakota. The median household income is $47,000, the median home value is $108,000, and the median age is 26.2.

The population of Buffalo County has declined 5.6% since 2010 (1,934 → 1,825), a -0.41% annualized rate.

Buffalo County within South Dakota · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

1,757

Population

-0.41%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$47,000

Median Income

$108,000

Median Home Value

Buffalo County covers 471 sq mi of land at 3.7 people per square mile.

About Buffalo County, SD

Buffalo County is defined demographically by education — 7.0% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average. Buffalo County is a county in South Dakota with a population of 1,757.

Incomes run on the lower side: a median household income of $47,000, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 30.7%, is among the steepest of comparable US counties and above the national 12.4%. Housing is relatively affordable, with a median home value of $108,000, with typical rent around $535.

Four-year-degree attainment is near the bottom of the range for US counties, 7.0%, below the national 35.0%. About 12.9% of workers primarily work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 14 minutes each way.

Buffalo County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Buffalo County had a population of 1,934 in 2010 and 1,825 in 2024, a -5.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 2,099 in 2015. Average annual growth rate: -0.39%.

Buffalo County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

1,825

Population (2024)

1,934

Population (2010)

2,099

Peak (2015)

-0.39%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	1,934	-	-	estimate
2011	1,979	+45	+2.33%	estimate
2012	2,016	+37	+1.87%	estimate
2013	2,025	+9	+0.45%	estimate
2014	2,087	+62	+3.06%	estimate
2015	2,099	+12	+0.57%	estimate
2016	2,035	-64	-3.05%	estimate
2017	2,014	-21	-1.03%	estimate
2018	2,039	+25	+1.24%	estimate
2019	1,982	-57	-2.80%	estimate
2020	1,938	-44	-2.22%	estimate
2021	1,894	-44	-2.27%	estimate
2022	1,848	-46	-2.43%	estimate
2023	1,884	+36	+1.95%	estimate
2024	1,825	-59	-3.13%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	21.7%
Black or African American	0.0%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	76.2%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

26.2

Median Age

45.4%

Female

54.6%

Male

9.3%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

12.1%

5–9

9.8%

10–14

7.1%

15–19

11.6%

20–24

7.2%

25–34

10.1%

35–44

13.0%

45–54

9.7%

55–59

4.4%

60–64

5.5%

65–74

5.9%

75–84

2.8%

85+

0.6%

Children (under 15): 29.0% · Seniors (65+): 9.3%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$47,000$-25,421 vs state
Mean household income	$54,977
Per-capita income	$17,408
Poverty rate	30.7%+23.3% vs state
Unemployment rate	5.2%
Employment-to-population	48.4%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

33.3%

Public administration

17.1%

Agriculture

13.1%

Education & health care

7.8%

Finance & real estate

6.5%

Construction

6.3%

Information

3.6%

Arts, entertainment & food

3.4%

The largest employment sector in Buffalo County is professional & business services, accounting for 33.3% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

5.2%

Carpool

76.7%

Public transit

12.9%

Work from home

14.1 min

Avg commute

Housing

$108,000$-128,800 vs state

Median home value

$535

Median rent

52.6%

Homeownership rate

577

Total housing units

86.0%

Occupied

14.0%

Vacant

47.4%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

57.1%

With health insurance

77.6%

With broadband internet

6.3%

Foreign-born

11.4%

Veterans (18+)

15.7%

With a disability

98.4%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

85.6%

High School+

7.0%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in South Dakota

Sioux Falls (197,642)Rapid City (76,836)Aberdeen (28,297)Brookings (23,710)Watertown (22,859)Mitchell (15,637)Yankton (15,501)Huron (14,347)Pierre (14,008)Spearfish (12,551)All South Dakota cities →

Other counties in South Dakota

Minnehaha County (200,689)Pennington County (112,081)Lincoln County (68,286)Brown County (38,079)Brookings County (34,968)Meade County (30,297)Codington County (28,556)Lawrence County (26,574)Yankton County (23,379)Davison County (19,936)All South Dakota counties →

Part of South Dakota

South Dakota demographic profile All South Dakota data →

Metro areas in South Dakota

Sioux Falls (293,107)Rapid City (151,064)Sioux City (144,007)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Buffalo County, South Dakota has a population of 1,757 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 60th-largest county in South Dakota. Population density is 4 people per square mile.

The population of Buffalo County has declined 5.6% since 2010 (1,934 → 1,825), a -0.41% annualized rate.

The median household income in Buffalo County, South Dakota is $47,000, with mean (average) household income of $54,977 and per-capita income of $17,408. 30.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Buffalo County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are Hispanic or Latino (76.2%), White (21.7%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Buffalo County, South Dakota is 26.2 years. Residents are 45.4% female and 54.6% male.

The median home value in Buffalo County is $108,000 and median monthly rent is $535. 52.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 577 total housing units, 14.0% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Buffalo County, South Dakota is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 33.3% of workers. The unemployment rate is 5.2%.

Sioux Falls is among the largest cities associated with Buffalo County, South Dakota, with a population of 197,642.