Buffalo County Population Highlights

• From 1990 to 2000, Buffalo County gained 273 residents which was a 15.5% increase in its total population.

• From 1990 to 2000, Buffalo County gained 68 residents which was a 3.9% increase in its total population.

• 41.34% of Buffalo County’s population is under the age of 18 while 6.55% is aged 65+.

• The median age in Buffalo County is 23.3.  This is much younger than any surrounding county including Brule and Lyman.

• 25.29% of Buffalo County’s households consist of a single parent with children under the age of 18.

• The sex ratio in Buffalo County is 105.46, meaning that there are about 105 males for every 100 females.  This is much higher than Brule, but similar to Lyman.

• The fertility rate in Buffalo County is 131.3 births for every 1,000 females aged 15-44.  This is higher than both Brule and Lyman counties. 

Race/Ethnicity in Buffalo County

• The Crow Creek reservation is located within Buffalo County’s boundaries

Buffalo County’s Agriculture in 2002

• Buffalo County had 73 farms which was a 7.6% decrease from 1997.

• Buffalo County’s average farm size was 3,903 acres.  This was larger than both Brule and Lyman counties.

• The average net farm income was $24,805.  This was higher than both Brule and Lyman counties.

Buffalo County’s Economics in 2000

• Buffalo County’s per capita income was $5,213.  This was much lower than Brule or Lyman County.

• Buffalo County’s median household income was $12,692.  This is one of the lowest median household incomes in the state.  It is much lower than both Brule and Lyman County

• 5.4% of Buffalo County residents aged 25+ had completed a B.S. degree or higher.  This was much lower than Brule and Lyman counties. 

• 56.92% of Buffalo County’s population was living at or below the official poverty line.  This compares with 13.18% for the state of South Dakota, 14.30% for Brule County and 24.27% for Lyman County.

• 64.42% of Buffalo County’s children under the age of 5 are living at or below the official poverty line.  This compares with 19.77% for the state of South Dakota, 11.50% for Brule County, and 54.98% for Lyman County.

• 21.2% of workers in Buffalo County commute to work from another county.  This is higher than both Brule and Lyman counties.

Buffalo County Employment by Industry

Income Distribution

Data compiled by:

W. Trevor Brooks

Rural Life and Census Data Center

South Dakota State University

Sources:

South Dakota Data Center (Vermillion, SD)

South Dakota Labor Market

U.S. Census of Agriculture (2002)

U.S. Census Bureau (2000)