Buffalo County, South Dakota
Among the top 11% of US counties for affordability.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade A, better than 89% of US counties
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 56% of US counties
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 36% of US counties
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade F, better than 5% of US counties
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade D, better than 13% of US counties
- top 1% for estimated total tax burden
- top 5% for monthly rent
- bottom 1% for violent crime
Buffalo County is a county in South Dakota with about 1,859 residents. It grades A for affordability and F for getting around. Standout strengths include estimated total tax burden, monthly rent, and income tax. It rates lower on unemployment and violent crime.
Official websitegannvalley.com (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Dry · Snowy
freez.
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82%59%clearovercast
Precipitation 3.0 in0.5 in
humid 49%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$43k9th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$45kbetter than 49% of US counties
Home Value$104k14th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$575better than 95% of US counties
Property Tax Rate0.55%better than 81% of US counties
Income Tax0.00%better than 91% of US counties
Sales Tax6.11%better than 78% of US counties
Estimated total tax burden3.36%better than 99% of US counties
Unemployment14.9%better than 1% of US counties
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)20°F13th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)75°F35th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation20.4 in14th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall21.5 inbetter than 38% of US counties
Sunny Days255 daysbetter than 71% of US counties
Summer Humidity59°Fbetter than 80% of US counties
Comfortable Days58 daysbetter than 15% of US counties
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk13.7better than 84% of US counties
Violent Crime8042/100kbetter than 1% of US counties
Property Crime1097/100kbetter than 40% of US counties
Community
Population1,8593rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age24.00th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3458th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.1492nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+325th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)18.5%4th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)0.0%2nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)8.3%68th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)0.0%4th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)73.3%100th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Walkability5.4/20better than 29% of US counties
Airport Distance256 mibetter than 8% of US counties
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access61.2%better than 2% of US counties
Amenities Nearby5.38better than 69% of US counties
Park & Nature AccessLimitedbetter than 8% of US counties
Frequently asked questions
- Is Buffalo County an affordable place to live?
- Buffalo County is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $45k, better than 49% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Buffalo County?
- The median home value in Buffalo County is $104k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Buffalo County?
- Median household income in Buffalo County is $43k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Buffalo County?
- Median gross rent in Buffalo County is $575 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Buffalo County safe?
- Buffalo County is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 8042/100k (better than 0%). Property crime is 1097/100k.
- What is the weather like in Buffalo County?
- Buffalo County averages 75°F in July and 20°F in January, with 20.4 in of annual precipitation and about 255 sunny days a year.
Other counties in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota
Data sources
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)