Buffalo County Demographics

A map of Buffalo County's Population by Race

Buffalo County, Wisconsin has an estimated population of 13,393, a less than 1% change from the 13,317 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 93.6% White, 2.9% Hispanic, 2.6% Multiracial, 0.4% Black, 0.3% Native American/Other, and 0.2% 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 considerably less diverse than Wisconsin 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 10.7% in 2020 and 12.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Buffalo County is ranked the 67th most populous county in Wisconsin, out of 72 counties. Buffalo County was ranked the 67th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Buffalo County's White Population

12,540 residents of Buffalo County, or 93.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Buffalo County is considerably higher than in Wisconsin overall, where 78.6% of the population is White. Buffalo County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Buffalo County's population has decreased from 94.4% to 93.6%.

Buffalo County is more White than neighboring Winona County (88.9% White), Trempealeau County (83.9% White), Wabasha County (93.3% White), and Eau Claire County (87.2% White). Buffalo County is less White than neighboring Pepin County (94.1% White).

Buffalo County's Black Population

57 residents of Buffalo County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Buffalo County is lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 5.9% of the population is Black. Buffalo County ranks 56th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Black population has grown by an estimated 32.6%. Black residents' share of Buffalo County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Buffalo County is more Black than neighboring Trempealeau County (0.3% Black). Buffalo County is less Black than neighboring Winona County (1.9% Black), and Eau Claire County (1.2% Black).

Buffalo County's Asian Population

24 residents of Buffalo County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Buffalo County is slightly lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Buffalo County ranks 70th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 26.3%. Asian residents' share of Buffalo County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Buffalo County is less Asian than neighboring Pepin County (0.6% Asian), Winona County (2.2% Asian), Trempealeau County (0.5% Asian), Wabasha County (0.7% Asian), and Eau Claire County (4.1% Asian).

Buffalo County's Hispanic Population

385 residents of Buffalo County, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Buffalo County is lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 8% of the population is Hispanic. Buffalo County ranks 48th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 17.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Buffalo County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.9%.

Buffalo County is more Hispanic than neighboring Pepin County (2.7% Hispanic). Buffalo County is less Hispanic than neighboring Winona County (3.9% Hispanic), Trempealeau County (13% Hispanic), Wabasha County (3.4% Hispanic), and Eau Claire County (3.2% Hispanic).

Buffalo County's Native American/Other Population

34 residents of Buffalo County, or 0.3% 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 comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Buffalo County ranks 66th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 33.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Buffalo County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Buffalo County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Pepin County (0.6% Native American/Other), Wabasha County (0.5% Native American/Other), and Eau Claire County (0.7% Native American/Other).

Buffalo County's Multiracial Population

353 residents of Buffalo County, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Buffalo County is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Buffalo County ranks 67th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 17.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Buffalo County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.6%.

Buffalo County is more Multiracial than neighboring Pepin County (1.6% Multiracial), Trempealeau County (2.1% Multiracial), and Wabasha County (1.8% Multiracial). Buffalo County is less Multiracial than neighboring Winona County (2.8% Multiracial), and Eau Claire County (3.5% 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.