countyscore

Buffalo County, South Dakota — County Report Card

SD

#12 in South Dakota

Explore on ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
65.9
County Score
Cost of Living 99.3Safety 97.5Disaster Risk 86.3

County Report Card

About Buffalo County, South Dakota

An Elite National Performer

Buffalo County achieves an impressive composite score of 65.9, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This makes it one of the highest-rated counties for livability within the national data set.

Leading the South Dakota Pack

With a 65.9 score, Buffalo County easily surpasses the South Dakota average of 55.9. It stands out as a top-tier location within the state, driven by exceptional scores in safety and cost.

Unmatched Safety and Value

The county boasts a near-perfect cost score of 99.3 and a safety score of 97.5. Residents benefit from an extremely low effective tax rate of 0.781% and a median rent of only $535.

Health and Income Gaps

Despite its safety, the county struggles with health outcomes at 9.6 and an income score of 9.4. While school and water data are currently unavailable, the low median income of $47,000 remains a clear hurdle.

A Secure, Low-Cost Haven

Buffalo County is the ultimate destination for those seeking a safe, ultra-affordable lifestyle on a fixed income. It provides incredible peace of mind and financial relief, provided that proximity to high-wage jobs is not a priority.

2040608010054.999.397.59.69.486.336.4Tax54.9Cost99.3Safety97.5Health9.6Schools—Income9.4Risk86.3Water—Weather36.465.9/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Buffalo County DNA

D+overall

How Buffalo County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Buffalo County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (99.3/100) but notably weak in Income (9.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
54.9
Cost
99.3+51.3
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
9.6-40.4
Income
9.4-41.6
Risk
86.3+39.3
Weather
36.4-19.6
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Buffalo County?

Many homeowners in Buffalo County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$108,000

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$535/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$108,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$21,400/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $47,000/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Buffalo County with Calhoun County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Calhoun County
Iowa
Median income: $66,875
65.9
Stanton County
Kansas
Median income: $70,361
65.9
Jerauld County
South Dakota
Median income: $75,417
65.9
Moore County
Tennessee
Median income: $66,687
65.9
Ripley County
Indiana
Median income: $71,084
66
Knox County
Missouri
Median income: $53,333
66
Cavalier County
North Dakota
Median income: $67,064
66
Platte County
Wyoming
Median income: $66,299
66

Nearby counties

Brule County
South Dakota
46.4
Lyman County
South Dakota
59.4
Jerauld County
South Dakota
65.9
Hyde County
South Dakota
57.4
Hughes County
South Dakota
42.3
Hand County
South Dakota
72.3
Aurora County
South Dakota
61.3
Tripp County
South Dakota
50.7

Deep Dives

Buffalo County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Buffalo County

via TaxByCounty

Buffalo County taxes nearly lowest in U.S.

Buffalo County's 0.781% effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 5% nationally, far below the 1.13% national median. The median tax bill of just $843 is less than one-third the national median of $2,690, delivering extraordinary tax savings for homeowners.

South Dakota's second-lowest-tax county

Buffalo County ranks second to Brule with a 0.781% effective rate, well below South Dakota's state average of 1.094%. The median tax of $843 is the second-lowest in the state, offering exceptional value for property owners in this rural county.

Unmatched tax advantage in region

Buffalo County's 0.781% rate is the lowest in the region, beating all neighbors including Brule (0.849%), Aurora (1.080%), Beadle (1.053%), and Bennett (1.027%). No surrounding county comes close to these tax rates.

Median home: $108,000 = $843 tax

Buffalo County homeowners pay just $843 annually on the median home value of $108,000 at a 0.781% effective rate. This works out to roughly $70 per month—the lowest property tax bill in the state and among the nation's most affordable.

Even Buffalo homeowners should check assessments

Despite Buffalo County's exceptionally low rates, individual properties can still be overassessed relative to comparables. If you believe your home's assessed value is inflated, filing an appeal with the county assessor could reduce your already minimal tax obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Buffalo County

via CostByCounty

Buffalo offers lowest costs, lowest income

Buffalo County's 13.7% rent-to-income ratio appears reasonable until you examine the median household income of just $47,000—nearly $28,000 below the national average. Renters paying $535 monthly benefit from rock-bottom housing costs, but limited local earning potential presents a larger challenge.

Buffalo combines affordability with income stress

While Buffalo's 13.7% rent-to-income ratio matches the South Dakota average, the median household income of $47,000 significantly trails state peers, marking Buffalo as economically disadvantaged. Housing may be cheap, but earning potential is the real constraint.

Buffalo leads in affordability, lags in income

Buffalo County's $535 median rent ranks lowest among these eight counties and its $108,000 median home value reflects rural affordability. However, the $47,000 household income trails all neighbors except Bennett County, indicating limited local job quality.

Low costs can't offset low incomes

Renters pay just $535 monthly (13.7% of income) and homeowners only $328 for ownership—remarkably low figures—yet the $47,000 median household income constrains overall financial security. Housing affordability matters little if you can't earn living wages locally.

Buffalo requires independent income sources

Buffalo's exceptional housing costs suit relocators with remote work, pensions, or substantial savings, but not those depending on local employment. Consider Buffalo only if you bring stable income from outside the county economy.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Buffalo County

via IncomeByCounty

Buffalo lags nation by 37%

Buffalo County's median household income of $47,000 falls $27,755 short of the national median of $74,755—a substantial 37% deficit. This gap reflects profound economic challenges facing isolated rural communities across America.

Among South Dakota's lowest earners

Buffalo's $47,000 median trails South Dakota's state average of $66,926 by nearly $20,000, ranking it among the lowest-earning counties in the state. Per capita income of just $17,408 represents only 49% of the state average of $35,667.

Struggles with limited economic base

Buffalo's $47,000 edges out only Bennett County ($44,569) among peers, while falling far behind Aurora ($74,130), Brule ($74,043), Brown ($70,239), and Brookings ($67,341). Isolation and limited employer diversity constrain earning potential across the county.

Housing costs strain limited income

Buffalo's rent-to-income ratio of 13.7% means housing consumes roughly one-seventh of median income—manageable on paper. However, the median home value of $108,000 represents 2.3 years of household income, concentrating household wealth in housing while limiting flexibility.

Build stability before aggressive investing

Buffalo households earning $47,000 should prioritize income stability and emergency savings before expanding investment portfolios. Explore employer benefits, skills training, and remote work opportunities that can supplement household earnings and create pathways to higher income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Buffalo County

via CrimeByCounty

Limited Data Shows Zero Crime

Buffalo County reports a crime rate of 0.0 per 100K, drastically different from the national average of 2,385.5. This results in a technical safety score of 100.0.

A Perfect Score With Context

The county's safety score of 100.0 is higher than the state average of 98.8. However, this is based on a single reporting agency and may not capture all local activity.

Comparing Reported Data to Neighbors

While Buffalo reports zero crime, neighboring Brule County reports a rate of 2020.2. This suggests a significant difference in reporting practices or agency coverage between the two areas.

Interpreting the Lack of Data

Currently, zero violent and property crimes are officially recorded for Buffalo County. Residents should interpret these numbers with caution as they represent a single agency's limited input.

Staying Safe Despite Low Numbers

Because the data may be incomplete, standard safety practices remain essential for every household. Always lock your doors and look out for your neighbors to maintain true community safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Disaster Risk in Buffalo County

via RiskByCounty

Buffalo enjoys exceptional disaster safety

Buffalo County's composite risk score of 13.74 places it in the "Very Low" category and represents just 47% of the national average. Your county ranks among America's safest regions for natural disaster exposure overall.

Among South Dakota's safest counties

Buffalo County ranks in South Dakota's lowest-risk tier with a composite score of 13.74, well below the state average of 26.84. Only Bennett County (5.92) and Bon Homme County (10.85) present lower overall disaster risk than Buffalo.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Buffalo's composite risk of 13.74 ranks below neighboring Brule County (58.72) and Aurora County (19.59). Your county represents one of south-central South Dakota's most naturally resilient regions.

Wildfire Buffalo's primary hazard

Wildfire risk (76.37) dominates Buffalo County's natural disaster profile, creating the only significant exposure among major hazards. Tornado (20.23), flood (10.85), and earthquake (12.91) risks all remain minimal.

Focus on wildfire protection measures

Buffalo County residents should prioritize wildfire coverage in homeowners insurance and maintain defensible space around properties through vegetation management. Standard fire and windstorm coverage provides adequate protection against the county's minimal tornado, flood, and earthquake exposures.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Buffalo County

via WaterByCounty

Drinking Water Compliance Data Unavailable

There are currently no drinking water compliance grades or health violation records available for Buffalo County in the 5-year SDWIS lookback. This absence of data makes it impossible to compare local water safety against the state average of 47.6 violations per 100,000 people. Residents should contact local utilities directly for recent safety performance records.

Clean Water Act Assessments Pending

Water bodies in Buffalo County have not yet been assessed under the federal §303(d) standards for the current reporting cycle. The EPA ATTAINS database shows no impairment data or designated causes of failure for this area. As a result, the health of local watersheds cannot be compared to broader South Dakota trends.

Monitoring Focuses on Microbiology and Nutrients

Eleven monitoring sites in Buffalo County have recorded 730 measurements over the past five years. The most frequently measured groups include physical traits, microbiological indicators, and nutrients. This provides a decent foundation for understanding the biological safety of local water resources.

Elm Creek Near Gann Valley is Dry

Elm Creek near Gann Valley is currently recording 0 cfs, which is just 1% of its long-term mean of 26 cfs. This complete lack of flow indicates severe drought conditions or seasonal drying in the 378-square-mile drainage area. Zero-flow events can lead to stagnant conditions and higher concentrations of any existing pollutants.

Exercise Caution During Dry Conditions

With Elm Creek essentially dry, surface water availability is a major concern for the region. Because drinking water compliance data is also missing, residents should be particularly proactive in requesting quality reports from their providers. If you use local surface water for any purpose, be aware that stagnant, low-flow conditions can increase microbiological risks.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Buffalo County

via WeatherByCounty

Dry and Temperate Plains Climate

Buffalo County's 46.3°F annual average is below the national median of 53°F. It is one of the drier counties in the state, receiving only 20.1 inches of precipitation annually.

Slightly Above the State Average

At 46.3°F, Buffalo County is marginally warmer than the South Dakota average of 45.6°F. Its dry climate often leads to more extreme temperature swings between day and night.

Low Snowfall Compared to Peers

Buffalo County only sees 18.9 inches of snow, which is less than half the 43.3 inches seen in neighboring Brule County. Its total precipitation of 20.1 inches is also lower than the state average.

Hot Summers and Very Dry Winters

The county deals with 29 days of extreme heat and a July average of 74.2°F. Winters are cold but dry, with January averaging 17.5°F and minimal snow accumulation.

Prepare for Dry Summer Heat

Effective cooling and hydration are essential for the 29 days of extreme summer heat. While snow removal is less of a burden here, residents still need reliable heating for the 17.5°F January average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Buffalo County

via SoilByCounty

A Foundation for Native Growth

Buffalo County lacks specific pH and taxonomic data in current records, but it sits within a region known for slightly alkaline soils. The state average pH of 7.05 is a reliable starting point for understanding local nutrient availability. These soils have supported robust prairie ecosystems for centuries.

Texture and Workability Basics

Precise composition data for sand, silt, and clay is currently unavailable for this area. Most soils in this part of South Dakota lean toward a silty or loamy texture, providing a good balance for plant roots. Knowing your soil's texture is the first step in successful irrigation and fertilization.

Striving for State Benchmarks

While specific organic matter data is missing, the state average of 3.75% is the goal for a healthy, productive garden. Increasing your soil's organic content will help it reach or exceed the state’s available water capacity average of 0.182 in/in. This makes your land more resilient to the unpredictable Dakota weather.

Managing Water on the Prairie

There are no specific drainage or hydrologic group records available for Buffalo County in this set. Gardeners and builders should look for signs of standing water or rapid drying to understand their site's unique hydrology. Proper drainage is essential for both healthy crops and stable building foundations.

Cold-Hardy Gardening in Zone 4b

In Zone 4b, your garden will thrive with cold-tolerant vegetables like cabbage, kale, and onions. Focus on building up your soil's health with local organic materials to maximize its growing potential. Buffalo County offers a great environment for those who enjoy the challenge of northern plains gardening.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Buffalo County

via LawnByCounty

Typical South Dakota Lawn Ease

Buffalo County earns a 52.6 difficulty score, matching Aurora County and staying slightly above the state average. This Zone 4b county provides a familiar set of challenges for veteran high-plains gardeners.

Dry Climate with Intense Heat

With only 20.1 inches of precipitation, this is one of the drier counties in the region. Lawns must also survive 29 extreme heat days, requiring a robust irrigation plan to maintain growth through 2,808 growing degree days.

Preparing Your Local Soil

Local data on soil pH and texture is currently limited for Buffalo County. Given the dry 20.1-inch annual rainfall, adding organic compost can improve any soil's ability to retain what little moisture is available.

Dry Conditions are Standard

The county is 100% abnormally dry and saw 14 weeks of drought in the last year. Focus on evening irrigation and avoiding fertilizer during dry spells to prevent burning the grass while it is under stress.

Seeding for a Dry Climate

Choose drought-hardy seeds like Crested Wheatgrass for a more natural, low-water look. The prime growing window opens after the May 6th frost and remains active until the cold returns on October 5th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Buffalo County's county score?
Buffalo County, South Dakota has a composite county score of 65.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Buffalo County rank among counties in South Dakota?
Buffalo County ranks #12 among all counties in South Dakota on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Buffalo County, South Dakota?
The median annual property tax in Buffalo County is $843, with an effective tax rate of 0.78%. This earns Buffalo County a tax score of 54.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Buffalo County?
The median household income in Buffalo County, South Dakota is $47,000 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Buffalo County earns an income score of 9.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Buffalo County, South Dakota a good place to live?
Buffalo County scores 65.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #12 in South Dakota. The best way to evaluate Buffalo County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Buffalo County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.