Buffalo, SD Demographics

A map of Buffalo's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	260	311	93.5%	89.9%
Multiracial	7	17	2.5%	4.9%
Native American/Other	6	12	2.2%	3.5%
Hispanic	5	5	1.8%	1.4%
Black	0	1	0.0%	0.3%
Asian	0	0	0.0%	0.0%

Buffalo, South Dakota has an estimated population of 278, a large decrease from the 346 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 93.5% White, 2.5% Multiracial, 2.2% Native American/Other, 1.8% Hispanic, 0.0% Black, and 0.0% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Buffalo, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Buffalo has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably 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, that probability was 18.8% in 2020 and 12.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Buffalo is ranked the 208th most populous place in South Dakota, out of 485 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Buffalo was ranked the 182nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Buffalo's White Population

260 residents of Buffalo, or 93.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Buffalo is considerably higher than in South Dakota overall, where 79.8% of the population is White. Buffalo ranks 247th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo's White population has declined by an estimated 16.4%. White residents' share of Buffalo's population has increased from 89.9% to 93.5%.

Buffalo is more White than neighboring Bowman (90.7% White), and Scranton (83.5% White). Buffalo is less White than neighboring Camp Crook (100% White), Rhame (100% White), and Gascoyne (100% White).

Buffalo's Black Population

0 residents of Buffalo, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Buffalo is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 2.1% of the population is Black. Buffalo ranks 129th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

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

Buffalo's Asian Population

0 residents of Buffalo, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Buffalo is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 1.4% of the population is Asian. Buffalo ranks 176th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

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

Buffalo's Hispanic Population

5 residents of Buffalo, or 1.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Buffalo is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 4.8% of the population is Hispanic. Buffalo ranks 299th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Buffalo's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.8%.

Buffalo is more Hispanic than neighboring Camp Crook (0% Hispanic), Rhame (0% Hispanic), Scranton (0% Hispanic), and Gascoyne (0% Hispanic). Buffalo is less Hispanic than neighboring Bowman (4.6% Hispanic).

Buffalo's Native American/Other Population

6 residents of Buffalo, or 2.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Buffalo is lower than in South Dakota overall, where 7.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Buffalo ranks 154th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 50.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Buffalo's population has decreased from 3.5% to 2.2%.

Buffalo is more Native American/Other than neighboring Camp Crook (0% Native American/Other), Rhame (0% Native American/Other), Scranton (0% Native American/Other), and Gascoyne (0% Native American/Other). Buffalo is less Native American/Other than neighboring Bowman (3.3% Native American/Other).

Buffalo's Multiracial Population

7 residents of Buffalo, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Buffalo is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Buffalo ranks 115th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 58.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Buffalo's population has decreased from 4.9% to 2.5%.

Buffalo is more Multiracial than neighboring Camp Crook (0% Multiracial), Bowman (1.4% Multiracial), Rhame (0% Multiracial), and Gascoyne (0% Multiracial). Buffalo is less Multiracial than neighboring Scranton (16.5% 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.