Buffalo County Demographics

A map of Buffalo County's Population by Race

Buffalo County, South Dakota had a population of 1,948 in 2020. It was 14.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.1% Asian, 0.7% Hispanic, 81.2% Native American/Other, and 3.4% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Buffalo County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Buffalo County is the 58th most populous county of the 66 counties in South Dakota.

Buffalo County's White Population

286 residents of Buffalo County identify as White, or 14.7%. This makes the White share of the population of Buffalo County considerably less than the White share of the population of South Dakota (79.6% White). Of the 66 counties in South Dakota, Buffalo County is ranked #64 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Buffalo County is less White than neighboring Brule County (82.7% White), Hand County (95.1% White), Hyde County (86.2% White), Jerauld County (92.9% White), and Lyman County (51.5% White).

Buffalo County's Black Population

0 residents of Buffalo County identify as Black, or 0.0%. This makes the Black share of the population of Buffalo County roughly similar to the Black share of the population of South Dakota (2% Black). Of the 66 counties in South Dakota, Buffalo County is ranked #61 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Buffalo County is less Black than neighboring Brule County (0.5% Black), Hand County (0.2% Black), Hyde County (0.3% Black), and Lyman County (0.1% Black).

Buffalo County's Asian Population

1 residents of Buffalo County identify as Asian, or 0.1%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Buffalo County roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of South Dakota (1.5% Asian). Of the 66 counties in South Dakota, Buffalo County is ranked #61 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Buffalo County is less Asian than neighboring Brule County (0.5% Asian), Hand County (0.2% Asian), Hyde County (0.4% Asian), and Jerauld County (0.2% Asian).

Buffalo County's Hispanic Population

13 residents of Buffalo County identify as Hispanic, or 0.7%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Buffalo County roughly similar to the Hispanic share of the population of South Dakota (4.4% Hispanic). Of the 66 counties in South Dakota, Buffalo County is ranked #66 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Buffalo County is less Hispanic than neighboring Brule County (2% Hispanic), Hand County (1.6% Hispanic), Hyde County (1.9% Hispanic), Jerauld County (4.4% Hispanic), and Lyman County (1.2% Hispanic).

Buffalo County's Native American/Other Population

1,582 residents of Buffalo County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 81.2%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Buffalo County considerably larger than the Native American/Other share of the population of South Dakota (8.7% Native American/Other). Of the 66 counties in South Dakota, Buffalo County is ranked #3 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Buffalo County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Brule County (9.6% Native American/Other), Hand County (0.8% Native American/Other), Hyde County (8.2% Native American/Other), Jerauld County (0.7% Native American/Other), and Lyman County (43.8% Native American/Other).

Buffalo County's Multiracial Population

66 residents of Buffalo County identify as Multiracial, or 3.4%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Buffalo County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of South Dakota (3.9% Multiracial). Of the 66 counties in South Dakota, Buffalo County is ranked #27 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Buffalo County is more Multiracial than neighboring Hand County (2.1% Multiracial), Hyde County (3% Multiracial), Jerauld County (1.8% Multiracial), and Lyman County (3.3% Multiracial). Buffalo County is less Multiracial than neighboring Brule County (4.6% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.