Buffalo County Demographics

A map of Buffalo County's Population by Race

Buffalo County, South Dakota has an estimated population of 1,808, a decrease from the 1,948 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 79.1% Native American/Other, 17.5% White, 1.7% Hispanic, 1.7% Multiracial, 0.0% Black, and 0.0% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Buffalo County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Buffalo has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than South Dakota overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Buffalo County, that probability was 31.8% in 2020 and 34.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Buffalo County is ranked the 59th most populous county in South Dakota, out of 66 counties. Buffalo County was ranked the 58th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Buffalo County's White Population

316 residents of Buffalo County, or 17.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Buffalo County is significantly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 79.8% of the population is White. Buffalo County ranks 64th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's White population has grown by an estimated 10.5%. White residents' share of Buffalo County's population has increased from 14.7% to 17.5%.

Buffalo County is less White than neighboring Brule County (81.2% White), Hand County (92.2% White), Hyde County (86.1% White), Jerauld County (89.4% White), and Lyman County (57.1% White).

Buffalo County's Black Population

0 residents of Buffalo County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Buffalo County is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 2.1% of the population is Black. Buffalo County ranks 61st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Black population has grown from 0 to an estimated 0. Black residents' share of Buffalo County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Buffalo County is less Black than neighboring Brule County (0.6% Black), Hand County (0.5% Black), and Hyde County (0.3% Black).

Buffalo County's Asian Population

0 residents of Buffalo County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Buffalo County is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 1.4% of the population is Asian. Buffalo County ranks 61st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Buffalo County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Buffalo County is less Asian than neighboring Hand County (0.1% Asian).

Buffalo County's Hispanic Population

31 residents of Buffalo County, or 1.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Buffalo County is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 4.8% of the population is Hispanic. Buffalo County ranks 66th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 138.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Buffalo County's population has increased from 0.7% to 1.7%.

Buffalo County is more Hispanic than neighboring Hyde County (1.6% Hispanic), and Lyman County (1.2% Hispanic). Buffalo County is less Hispanic than neighboring Brule County (2.3% Hispanic), Hand County (2.1% Hispanic), and Jerauld County (7% Hispanic).

Buffalo County's Native American/Other Population

1,431 residents of Buffalo County, or 79.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Buffalo County is significantly higher than in South Dakota overall, where 7.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Buffalo County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 9.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Buffalo County's population has decreased from 81.2% to 79.1%.

Buffalo County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Brule County (10.1% Native American/Other), Hand County (3.4% Native American/Other), Hyde County (0.9% Native American/Other), Jerauld County (0.2% Native American/Other), and Lyman County (39.7% Native American/Other).

Buffalo County's Multiracial Population

30 residents of Buffalo County, or 1.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Buffalo County is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Buffalo County ranks 27th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 54.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Buffalo County's population has decreased from 3.4% to 1.7%.

Buffalo County is less Multiracial than neighboring Brule County (5.8% Multiracial), Hyde County (11.2% Multiracial), Jerauld County (3.4% Multiracial), and Lyman County (2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.