Editing Buffalo, Missouri

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Buffalo, Missouri
|official_name            = City of Buffalo
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = 
<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = 
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps -->
|image_map = Dallas_County_Missouri_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Buffalo_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location of Buffalo, Missouri
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Missouri]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Missouri|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Dallas County, Missouri|Dallas]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         = 
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 28, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 7.45
|area_land_km2            = 7.45
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.88
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.88
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 3290
|population_density_km2   = 441.63
|population_density_sq_mi = 1143.95
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 1148
|coordinates              = {{coord|37|38|40|N|93|05|49|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}<ref name=gnis/>
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 65622
|area_code                = [[Area code 417|417]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 29-09514<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID 
|blank1_info              = 2393455<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2393455}}</ref>
|website                  = [http://www.buffalomissouri.us City of Buffalo]
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
}}

'''Buffalo''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Dallas County, Missouri|Dallas County]], [[Missouri]], United States. The population was 3,290 at the 2020 [[census]].

Buffalo is part of the [[Springfield, Missouri]] [[Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
Buffalo was [[plat]]ted in 1841, and named after a Buffalo Skull marker that was erected at the (now) 65 and 32 highway intersection, the native home of a first settler.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_dallas.html |title=Dallas County Place Names, 1928–1945 (archived) |publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri |access-date=25 September 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915120320/http://shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_dallas.html |archive-date=15 September 2016 }}</ref> A post office called Buffalo has been in operation since 1846.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?state=MO |title=Post Offices |publisher=Jim Forte Postal History |access-date=25 September 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306175959/http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?state=MO |archive-date=6 March 2016 }}</ref>

==Geography==
The city is located in west central Dallas County, approximately 2.5 miles west of the [[Niangua River]]. The city is served by [[U.S. Route 65 in Missouri|U.S. Route 65]] and Missouri state routes [[Missouri Route 73|73]] and [[Missouri Route 32|32]]. [[Bolivar, Missouri|Bolivar]] is about 18 miles to the west and [[Marshfield, Missouri|Marshfield]] is about 22 miles to the southeast. [[Springfield, Missouri|Springfield]] lies 28 miles to the south-southwest along Route 65.<ref>Missouri Atlas & Gazetteer, DeLorme, 1998, First edition, p. 52, {{ISBN|0-89933-224-2}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.86|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-07-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | collapsed   = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Buffalo, Missouri (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1931–1932, 1961–present)
 | Jan record high F  = 74
 | Feb record high F  = 82
 | Mar record high F  = 85
 | Apr record high F  = 91
 | May record high F  = 93
 | Jun record high F  = 102
 | Jul record high F  = 109
 | Aug record high F  = 107
 | Sep record high F  = 100
 | Oct record high F  = 95
 | Nov record high F  = 83
 | Dec record high F  = 77
 | year record high F =

|Jan avg record high F = 66.5
|Feb avg record high F = 70.4
|Mar avg record high F = 78.2
|Apr avg record high F = 83.5
|May avg record high F = 86.9
|Jun avg record high F = 91.9
|Jul avg record high F = 96.5
|Aug avg record high F = 96.8
|Sep avg record high F = 91.6
|Oct avg record high F = 83.9
|Nov avg record high F = 74.1
|Dec avg record high F = 67.2
|year avg record high F = 98.4

 | Jan high F = 42.6
 | Feb high F = 48.0
 | Mar high F = 57.5
 | Apr high F = 67.6
 | May high F = 75.6
 | Jun high F = 83.9
 | Jul high F = 88.9
 | Aug high F = 87.5
 | Sep high F = 80.5
 | Oct high F = 69.7
 | Nov high F = 56.7
 | Dec high F = 46.1
 | year high F = 67.0
 | Jan mean F = 31.3
 | Feb mean F = 35.8
 | Mar mean F = 45.0
 | Apr mean F = 54.9
 | May mean F = 64.0
 | Jun mean F = 72.6
 | Jul mean F = 77.3
 | Aug mean F = 75.7
 | Sep mean F = 67.6
 | Oct mean F = 56.3
 | Nov mean F = 44.8
 | Dec mean F = 35.1
 | year mean F = 55.0
 | Jan low F = 20.1
 | Feb low F = 23.6
 | Mar low F = 32.6
 | Apr low F = 42.2
 | May low F = 52.4
 | Jun low F = 61.4
 | Jul low F = 65.8
 | Aug low F = 63.8
 | Sep low F = 54.8
 | Oct low F = 43.0
 | Nov low F = 32.8
 | Dec low F = 24.1
 | year low F = 43.1

|Jan avg record low F = 0.9
|Feb avg record low F = 5.7
|Mar avg record low F = 14.2
|Apr avg record low F = 25.7
|May avg record low F = 35.5
|Jun avg record low F = 48.7
|Jul avg record low F = 54.8
|Aug avg record low F = 52.2
|Sep avg record low F = 40.1
|Oct avg record low F = 27.3
|Nov avg record low F = 14.8
|Dec avg record low F = 7.2
|year avg record low F = -3.4

 | Jan record low F  = -19
 | Feb record low F  = -30
 | Mar record low F  = -4
 | Apr record low F  = 14
 | May record low F  = 27
 | Jun record low F  = 36
 | Jul record low F  = 44
 | Aug record low F  = 39
 | Sep record low F  = 24
 | Oct record low F  = 14
 | Nov record low F  = 1
 | Dec record low F  = -28
 | year record low F = 
 | precipitation colour   = green
 | Jan precipitation inch = 2.40
 | Feb precipitation inch = 2.22
 | Mar precipitation inch = 3.50
 | Apr precipitation inch = 4.93
 | May precipitation inch = 5.77
 | Jun precipitation inch = 4.44
 | Jul precipitation inch = 3.93
 | Aug precipitation inch = 4.20
 | Sep precipitation inch = 4.11
 | Oct precipitation inch = 3.53
 | Nov precipitation inch = 3.75
 | Dec precipitation inch = 2.48
 | year precipitation inch = 45.26
 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
 | Jan precipitation days  = 6.9
 | Feb precipitation days  = 6.9
 | Mar precipitation days  = 9.9
 | Apr precipitation days  = 10.5
 | May precipitation days  = 12.1
 | Jun precipitation days  = 10.0
 | Jul precipitation days  = 8.2
 | Aug precipitation days  = 7.9
 | Sep precipitation days  = 7.2
 | Oct precipitation days  = 8.2
 | Nov precipitation days  = 8.6
 | Dec precipitation days  = 6.3
 | year precipitation days = 102.7
 | Jan snow inch = 4.1
 | Feb snow inch = 1.7
 | Mar snow inch = 1.2
 | Apr snow inch = 0.0
 | May snow inch = 0.0
 | Jun snow inch = 0.0
 | Jul snow inch = 0.0
 | Aug snow inch = 0.0
 | Sep snow inch = 0.0
 | Oct snow inch = 0.0
 | Nov snow inch = 0.5
 | Dec snow inch = 1.5
 | year snow inch = 9.0
 | unit snow days = 0.1 in
 | Jan snow days  = 2.0
 | Feb snow days  = 2.0
 | Mar snow days  = 0.6
 | Apr snow days  = 0.0
 | May snow days  = 0.0
 | Jun snow days  = 0.0
 | Jul snow days  = 0.0
 | Aug snow days  = 0.0
 | Sep snow days  = 0.0
 | Oct snow days  = 0.0
 | Nov snow days  = 0.4
 | Dec snow days  = 1.1
 | year snow days = 6.1
 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=sgf
|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 20, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00231087&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 20, 2023}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 278
|1880= 437
|1890= 861
|1900= 757
|1910= 820
|1920= 915
|1930= 835
|1940= 920
|1950= 1213
|1960= 1477
|1970= 1915
|1980= 2217
|1990= 2414
|2000= 2781
|2010= 3084
|2020= 3290
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
Buffalo is the home to the Dallas County R-I School District. The school district includes a service area that includes students from western Laclede, southern Dallas, and eastern Polk counties. The school district includes an elementary school in Buffalo (Dillard A. Mallory Elementary). Buffalo Prairie Middle School, [[Buffalo High School (Buffalo, Missouri)|Buffalo High School]], and the Dallas County Technical Center are all part of the school district. The mascot for Dallas County R-I Schools is the Bison (commonly named Buffy). The school district is part of the Central Ozarks Conference (COC) and currently has an enrollment of approximately 1,800 students grades K-12.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-07-08}}</ref> of 2010, there were 3,084 people, 1,266 households, and 760 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1078.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,518 housing units at an average density of {{convert|530.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.9% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.1% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.6% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 1,266 households, of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.0% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.92.

The median age in the city was 37.9 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 to 44; 22.2% were from 45 to 64; and 20.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.1% male and 54.9% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 2,781 people, 1,213 households, and 702 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,265.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,367 housing units at an average density of {{convert|621.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.91% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.29% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.72% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.04% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.36% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.69% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.26% of the population.

There were 1,213 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.1% were non-families. 37.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $19,632, and the median income for a family was $26,179. Males had a median income of $24,306 versus $16,397 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $11,942. About 25.9% of families and 28.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 50.4% of those under age 18 and 18.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
Much of the economy of Buffalo is related to agriculture, government, education, and healthcare.{{vague|date=April 2025}}{{cn|date=April 2025}}

===Top employers===
Major employers include Dallas County R-1 Schools, Dallas County government, the City of Buffalo, Wood's Supermarket, O'Bannon Bank, and Bank of Urbana.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

==Government==
Buffalo was a Fourth class (population less then 3,000) city in 2016.<ref>[https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/bluebook/2015-2016/8_CityCounty.pdf Missouri Official Manual, 2015-2016, "Classification of Municipalities," p. 788]</ref> Buffalo city government has a mayor and six aldermen. Buffalo provides municipal water and sewer and contracts for refuse service.

==Education==
The Dallas County R-1 School District serves Buffalo and surrounding areas. Approximately 1700 students attend 4 schools, including Mallory Elementary, Buffalo Prairie Middle School, Dallas County Technical Center, and Buffalo High School.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://dallasr1.schoolfusion.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=159289 |title=Dallas County Schools, "About Us" website, retrieved March 5, 2016 |access-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307080909/http://dallasr1.schoolfusion.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=159289 |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The town has a lending library, the Dallas County Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.publiclibraries.com/missouri.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610012728/http://www.publiclibraries.com/missouri.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 June 2017 | title=Missouri Public Libraries | publisher=PublicLibraries.com | access-date=18 March 2018}}</ref>

==Recreation==
Buffalo has two large city parks. The city also features an extensive network of trails and sidewalks connecting Buffalo Prairie Middle School to the south across town to the new city park to the north.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

Buffalo features numerous opportunities within the city for recreation including Buffalo Bowl,<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloBowl/ Buffalo Bowl facebook page]</ref> several restaurants, and various street festivals throughout the year.

Nearby Missouri Department of Conservation areas include the Barclay Conservation Area,<ref>[http://mdc7.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=9728 Missouri Dept. of Conservation, Barclay Conservation Area]</ref> Bennett Spring Access,<ref>[http://mdc7.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=6320 Missouri Dept. of Conservation, Bennett Spring Access]</ref> Bennett Spring Fish Hatchery,<ref>[http://mdc7.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=4701 Missouri Dept. of Conservation, Bennett Spring Fish Hatchery]</ref> Goose Creek Conservation Area,<ref>[http://mdc7.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=5909 Missouri Dept. of Conservation, Goose Creek Conservation Area]</ref> and Lead Mine Conservation Area.<ref>[http://mdc7.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=8024 Missouri Dept. of Conservation, Lead Mine Conservation Area]</ref>

Recreational resources in the area include Pomme de Terre Lake and various theaters, shopping and other entertainment in Bolivar, Springfield and the Lake of the Ozarks area.

==Sports==
In 2015, the Lady Bison high school basketball team competed in the Final 4 at state competition.{{cn|date=April 2025}}
In 2020 they won a football district championship.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozarkssportszone.com/pages/21124881.php |title=Buffalo girls headed to state, making history, Ozarks Sports Zone |access-date=2016-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313232636/http://www.ozarkssportszone.com/pages/21124881.php |archive-date=2015-03-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
Buffalo has for years hosted the Southwest Missouri Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.swmocelticfestival.com/ |title=Southwest Missouri Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games |access-date=2016-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306000546/http://www.swmocelticfestival.com/ |archive-date=2016-03-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://traveltips.usatoday.com/celtic-festival-buffalo-missouri-107949.html "The Celtic Festival in Buffalo, Missouri," usatoday.com]</ref>

Buffalo annually hosts the Buffalo Art Walk and Craft Fair.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloArtWalk/ Buffalo Art Walk and Craft Fair, facebook.com]</ref>

==Transportation==
===Highways===
Buffalo is served by [[U.S. Route 65]] which connects the city with Branson, Springfield, Warsaw, and Sedalia.
[[Missouri Route 32]] carries traffic from El Dorado Springs, Stockton, Fair Play, Bolivar, Lebanon, Lynchburg and other communities. [[Missouri Route 73]] connects Buffalo to [[U.S. Route 54]] in Camden County.

===Airport===
The [[Buffalo Municipal Airport (Missouri)|Buffalo Municipal Airport]] is a city-owned public-use airport located 1.2 miles (1.9&nbsp;km) north of Buffalo's [[central business district]].<ref>{{FAA-airport|ID=H17|use=PU|own=PU|site=11581.6*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 30 June 2011.</ref>

==Notable people ==
* [[Hugh Alexander (baseball)|Hugh Alexander]], baseball player
* [[Marion Tinsley Bennett]], US Congressman, 1943-1949
* [[Philip Allen Bennett]], Missouri Senator and Lt. Governor, US Congressman
* [[Miranda Maverick]], fighter in the flyweight division of the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Miranda Maverick Fighting her way to Hopefully a UFC World Title |url=https://www.ozarkssportszone.com/2021/07/15/miranda-maverick-fighting-her-way-to-hopefully-a-ufc-world-title/ |website=OzarksSportsZone.com}}</ref>
* [[James B. Potter, Jr.]], Los Angeles City Council member, 1963–71
* [[Terry D. Scott]], 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Navy
* [[Dallas Willard]], Christian philosopher and author.

{{Portal|United States}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.buffalomissouri.us City of Buffalo]
* [http://www.buffaloreflex.com Buffalo Reflex newspaper]
* [http://www.dallasr1.k12.mo.us Dallas County R-I School District]
* [http://www.buffalococ.com Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce]
* Historic maps of Buffalo in the [http://dl.mospace.umsystem.edu/mu/islandora/object/mu%3A138731 Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection] at the [[University of Missouri]]

{{Dallas County, Missouri}}
{{Missouri county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Dallas County, Missouri]]
[[Category:County seats in Missouri]]
[[Category:Springfield metropolitan area, Missouri]]
[[Category:Cities in Missouri]]