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Buffalo
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
Location in Minnesota
Buffalo is located in the United States
Buffalo
Buffalo
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Minnesota
County Wright
Area
 • Total 9.90 sq mi (25.63 km2)
 • Land 7.76 sq mi (20.10 km2)
 • Water 2.14 sq mi (5.53 km2)  25.62%
Elevation
928 ft (283 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 18,168
 • Density 2,083.24/sq mi (804.39/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (Central)
ZIP code
55313
Area code(s) 763
FIPS code 27-08452
GNIS feature ID 0640603
Website City of Buffalo

Buffalo is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is the main city of Wright County. Buffalo is located in the larger Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. It is about 42 miles northwest of Minneapolis on Buffalo Lake. In 2020, Buffalo had a population of 18,168 people.

Two main roads, Minnesota State Highways 25 and 55, lead into the city.

History of Buffalo

Log Cabin and Wright County Heritage Center
Wright County Heritage Center

The city of Buffalo was planned and laid out in 1856. It was named after the nearby Buffalo Lake. A post office opened there in 1856, helping the community grow.

On February 9, 2021, a serious incident happened at a medical clinic in Buffalo. This event caused harm to several people.

Geography and Climate

Buffalo covers an area of about 9.64 square miles (25.63 square kilometers). About 7.17 square miles (20.10 square kilometers) of this is land. The rest, about 2.47 square miles (5.53 square kilometers), is water. The city has many lakes, including Buffalo Lake and Lake Pulaski.

Buffalo's Weather

Summers in Buffalo are long and warm. Winters are windy and very cold. Temperatures can range from 7 °F (about -14 °C) to 82 °F (about 28 °C). The windiest time of year is from September to May, with average winds around 10.3 miles per hour.

Population and People

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 143
1890 606 323.8%
1900 1,040 71.6%
1910 1,227 18.0%
1920 1,438 17.2%
1930 1,409 −2.0%
1940 1,695 20.3%
1950 1,914 12.9%
1960 2,322 21.3%
1970 3,275 41.0%
1980 4,560 39.2%
1990 6,856 50.4%
2000 10,097 47.3%
2010 15,453 53.0%
2020 18,168 17.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

Buffalo has grown a lot over the years. In 2010, there were 15,453 people living in the city. By 2020, the population had grown to 18,168.

Who Lives in Buffalo?

In 2010, most people in Buffalo were White (95.1%). Other groups included African American (0.8%), Native American (0.5%), and Asian (0.9%). About 2.8% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The average age in Buffalo in 2010 was 34.3 years old. About 29.7% of residents were under 18. About 11.8% were 65 years or older. The city had slightly more females (51.5%) than males (48.5%).

Arts and Culture in Buffalo

Buffalo offers many artistic and cultural activities for its size.

  • Buffalo Community Theater: This group has been putting on plays since at least 1983.
  • Buffalo Community Orchestra: Started in 1995, this orchestra has over 50 members. They are famous for their free "Concert in the Park" series each summer. Local businesses and residents help fund the orchestra.
  • Other Music Groups: The Wright County Chamber Chorus and the Wright Ringers bell choir are also part of the community.
  • Antique Shops: Buffalo has many antique shops. They often hold special sales on the first Thursday of every month.

Winter Fun at the Civics Center

During winter, the Civics Center is a busy place. It has two indoor ice rinks and one outdoor rink. People use them for:

  • Open skating
  • Youth and adult hockey
  • Figure skating

The Buffalo Youth Hockey Association and the Buffalo Figure Skating Club both use the Civics Center as their home.

Education in Buffalo

The local school district is called Buffalo–Hanover–Montrose Schools. It includes schools in Buffalo, Hanover, and Montrose.

  • Elementary Schools: There are six elementary schools: Discovery Center, Northwinds, Parkside, Tatanka, Hanover, and Montrose.
  • Middle School: Students attend Buffalo Community Middle School.
  • High School: The high school is Buffalo High School.
  • Private School: St. Francis Xavier School is a private Catholic school for grades K–8.

Media and News

Wright County Journal-Press, Buffalo, MN
Wright County Journal-Press building
  • Radio Station: KRWC 1360 AM has been serving Buffalo and Wright County since 1971. It broadcasts local and national news. It also covers high school sports for Buffalo and nearby towns. You can hear oldies, classic rock, and contemporary country music on KRWC.
  • Newspapers: Buffalo has two local newspapers: The Drummer and The Wright County Journal Press.

See also

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