Wisconsin

Buffalo

13,317
2020 population
1860
first census record
17
census records

About Buffalo

Buffalo, Wisconsin, first appears in the United States federal census in 1860, when it recorded a population of 3,864. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 13,317.

Its recorded population peaked at 16,765 in 1900, and has since declined by roughly 21 percent.

On the ground today, 13 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202013,317
201013,587
200013,804
199013,584
198014,309
197013,743
196014,202
195014,719
194016,090
193015,330
192015,615
191016,006
190016,765
189015,997
188015,528
187011,123
18603,864
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Historic places in Buffalo

National Register of Historic Places listings in Buffalo, Wisconsin.

Burlington Hotel
Alma
Harmonia Hall
Waumandee
Laue, Frederick, Jr., House
Alma
Browse all Wisconsinhistoric sites ›

Other counties in Wisconsin

Explore census history and historic records for more Wisconsin counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Buffalo County, Wisconsin

This page charts the census history of Buffalo County, Wisconsin. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Explore Wisconsin records

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Frequently asked about Buffalo

When does Buffalo first appear in the US census?
Buffalo, Wisconsin first appears in the federal census in 1860, with a recorded population of 3,864.
What is the population of Buffalo?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Buffalo had a recorded population of 13,317.
When did Buffalo's population peak?
Buffalo's recorded population peaked at 16,765 in 1900.
How many historic places are in Buffalo?
13 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Buffalo, Wisconsin.
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