Buffalo, Minnesota

Buffalo is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Wright County. It is within the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, located about 42 miles northwest of Minneapolis on Buffalo Lake.[4] The population of Buffalo was 15,453 at the 2010 census.[5] The 2020 census revealed Buffalo had a population of 18,168.[6]

Buffalo
City
Buffalo, Minnesota
Downtown Buffalo
Downtown Buffalo
Location of the city of Buffalowithin Wright County, Minnesota
Location of the city of Buffalo
within Wright County, Minnesota
Buffalo is located in Minnesota
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo is located in the United States
Buffalo
Buffalo
Coordinates: 45°10′19″N 93°52′29″W
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyWright
Government
 • MayorTeri Lachermeier
Area
[1]
 • Total9.90 sq mi (25.63 km2)
 • Land7.76 sq mi (20.10 km2)
 • Water2.14 sq mi (5.53 km2)  25.62%
Elevation
928 ft (283 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total18,168
 • Density2,083.24/sq mi (804.39/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (Central)
ZIP code
55313
Area code763
FIPS code27-08452[2]
GNIS feature ID0640603[3]
WebsiteCity of Buffalo

Minnesota State Highways 25 and 55 are two of the main routes into the city.

History

Buffalo was platted in 1856 and named after nearby Buffalo Lake.[7] A post office has been in operation in Buffalo since 1856.[8]

A mass shooting and bombing occurred at Allina Health's Buffalo Crossroads medical clinic on February 9, 2021. Five people were shot and one woman died.[9]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.64 square miles (24.97 km2); 7.17 square miles (18.57 km2) is land and 2.47 square miles (6.40 km2) is water.[10] The city is home to many lakes, namely Buffalo Lake and Lake Pulaski.

Climate

The summers are long and warm, while the winters are windy and freezing. Over the entire year, temperature varies from 7 °F - 82 °F. Don’t expect temperatures below -20 °F or above 100 °F. The windiest parts of the year last around 8.3 months, starting in September, with an average of 10.3 miles per hour.[11]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880143—
1890606323.8%
19001,04071.6%
19101,22718.0%
19201,43817.2%
19301,409−2.0%
19401,69520.3%
19501,91412.9%
19602,32221.3%
19703,27541.0%
19804,56039.2%
19906,85650.4%
200010,09747.3%
201015,45353.0%
202018,16817.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

As of 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $49,573 and the median income for a family was $59,250. Males had a median income of $39,960 versus $27,793 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,424. About 4.6% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census[13] of 2010, there were 15,453 people, 5,699 households, and 3,970 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,155.2 inhabitants per square mile (832.1/km2). There were 6,044 housing units at an average density of 843.0 per square mile (325.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.1% White, 0.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population.

There were 5,699 households, of which 41.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.3% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.17.

The median age in the city was 34.3 years. 29.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.3% were from 25 to 44; 21.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

Arts and culture

Buffalo offers a large variety of art and culture for the town's size.[14] Public spaces have been transformed with sculptures and murals through the Albright-Knox’s Public Art Initiative.[14] The Buffalo Community Theater is a local organization that has been producing plays since 1986. The Buffalo Community Orchestra is another popular artistic outlet. The orchestra has been part of the Buffalo community since 1995 and has over 50 members. The orchestra is well known for the 'Concert in the Park' series they put on every summer for free to community members. The orchestra is also funded by business and residents of Buffalo and the surrounding area. Also in the area, are the Wright County Chamber Chorus, and the Wright Ringers bell choir. Buffalo is also home to many antique shops that have annual sales the first Thursday of every month.

During the winter, the Civics Center houses two ice-sheets and an outdoor rink. It is used for open skating, youth and adult hockey, and figure skating. The Buffalo Youth Hockey Association and the Buffalo Figure Skating Club both use the Civics Center as their home rink.[15]

Government
Welcome sign entering Buffalo

Buffalo uses a city council with five councilmembers, including the mayor. The mayor is elected every two years and presides over council meetings. As of March 2020, the current mayor of Buffalo is Teri Lachermeier.[16] The four other councilmembers are as of 2020 Steve Downer, Scott Enter, Eric Anderson, and Nick O'Rourke. Aside from the mayor, councilmembers serve four-year terms with elections for two at a time every two years.[17] On the federal level, Buffalo and Wright County reside in Minnesota's 6th congressional district.[18]

Education

The local school district is named Buffalo–Hanover–Montrose Schools. It is composed of schools within the city of Buffalo, and local towns of Hanover and Montrose. There are six elementary schools, which include Discovery Center, Northwinds, Parkside, Tatanka, Hanover, and Montrose. There is one middle school, Buffalo Community Middle School, and one high school, Buffalo High School. There is also one private Catholic school, St. Francis Xavier School (grades K–8).

Media

KRWC 1360 AM has been serving Buffalo and the Wright County area since 1971 and is located just outside city limits. They provide local and national news, and broadcast high school sports for Buffalo and surrounding communities. They air oldies, as well as classic and contemporary country music.[19]

There are two local newspapers, The Drummer and The Wright County Journal Press.

References
  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. Bureau, US Census. "City and Town Population Totals: 2010-2019". The United States Census Bureau.
  7. Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 587.
  8. "Wright County". Jim Forte Postal History. Archived from the original on November 22, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  9. "Shooting at Buffalo, Minnesota Health Clinic Injures at Least Five, Bombs Also Reported". Newsweek. February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  11. "Buffalo Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Minnesota, United States) - Weather Spark". weatherspark.com. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  12. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  14. "Exploring Buffalo's Public Art Scene - Part I". BuffaloVibe.com. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  15. "Civic Center". City of Buffalo MN. March 21, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  16. "City Council - City of Buffalo MN". City of Buffalo, MN. January 2, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  17. "City Council". City of Buffalo MN. January 2, 2015.
  18. "Minnesota Secretary Of State - Congressional Maps". www.sos.state.mn.us.
  19. "About Us | KRWC 1360 AM". June 14, 2021.
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