| City: | Buffalo, Iowa |
| County: | Scott County |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 7:21:24 AM |
| Population: | 1,037 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 563 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 41.4616, -90.7284 |
| Land Area: | 3.072 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Buffalo sits along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, about 9 miles north of Davenport. This small town of 1,037 residents is designated as a PO Box Only Zone, meaning there's no carrier delivery available anywhere in the community. The Buffalo post office maintains 456 PO Boxes for 404 households, a 113% adoption rate that shows the post office serves not just local residents but some people from the surrounding area as well.
The town layout follows a classic numbered grid. Front Street runs along the riverfront with 25 delivery points, the most of any street in town. Cross streets include 2nd through 6th, along with Franklin, Jefferson, and Washington. The grid breaks into tree-named streets (Oak, Maple, Ash, Walnut) in residential areas. Five streets have secondary units like apartments or basement units, indicating some multi-family housing mixed into the predominantly single-family character.
Buffalo's housing stock is notably historic. With 473 homes built before 1939 and just 441 total housing units, most of the town was constructed in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Home values average $118,300, and 76% of residents own their homes (309 owner-occupied vs 95 renter-occupied). Only 4 homes are used seasonally, confirming this is a year-round residential community.
The population is 1,037 with a median age of 40.2 years. Median household income is $74,318, which is near the national average. About 30% of workers work from home, higher than typical for rural Iowa. The community is 90% white, with 11% identifying as Hispanic or Latino. There are no group quarters populations, so everyone lives in traditional households.
Mail delivery uses a single rural route (one R-route carrier). Even though 136 ZIP+4 records look like street addresses, they're served by rural delivery, not city carrier. General Delivery is available at the post office for those without a PO Box. With 20 business establishments employing 308 people, Buffalo functions as a small employment center despite its size.
Use this format:
[Name]
PO Box [Number]
Buffalo, IA 52728This is a PO Box Only Zone. Street addresses won't work for mail delivery.
Classic river town grid with Front Street along the Mississippi, numbered cross streets (2nd-6th), and presidential/civic names (Jefferson, Washington, Franklin).
ZIP Code 52728 has 1,037 residents and 404 households (average 2.57 persons per household). The median age is 40.2 years, slightly older than the state (38.6) and slightly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 48.1% male and 51.9% female, which is slightly lower than the state male share (49.7%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (89.6%, much higher than the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (6.8%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 6.8%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 1,037Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 984Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 337.6 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $69,239Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 404Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $120,900Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.57Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.92Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 810 | 864 | 909 | 986 | 1,069 | 1,093 | 1,075 | 1,055 | 1,070 | 1,013 | 862 | 888 | 987 | 984 |
| Decennial Census | 1,110 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,037 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 40.2
Male Median Age: 38.9
Female Median Age: 40.6
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 34 | 37 | 41 | 31 | 15 | 35 | 23 | 38 | 39 | 38 | 37 | 30 | 33 | 23 | 21 | 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Female | 26 | 43 | 44 | 37 | 18 | 27 | 37 | 29 | 36 | 23 | 43 | 38 | 63 | 17 | 18 | 26 | 6 | 7 |
| Total | 60 | 80 | 85 | 68 | 33 | 62 | 60 | 67 | 75 | 61 | 80 | 68 | 96 | 40 | 39 | 36 | 12 | 15 |
| White: | 929 | 90.99% |
| Black: | 1 | 0.10% |
| Hispanic:* | 70 | 6.86% |
| Asian: | 5 | 0.49% |
| American Indian: | 2 | 0.20% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 14 | 1.37% |
| Total: | 1,021 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 499 | 48.12% | 38.9 years |
| Females: | 538 | 51.88% | 40.6 years |
| Total: | 1,037 | 100% | 40.2 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 965 | 98.07% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 8 | 0.81% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 11 | 1.12% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 1.12% |
| Total Population: | 984 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 973 | 98.88% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 11 | 1.12% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $69,239, which is well under the national median ($80,734), is up $23,941 (52.9%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $7,989. Family households earn a median of $69,946 versus $60,804 for nonfamily households (a difference of $9,142). By gender, male median income is $68,333 and female is $45,083, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $23,250 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 66.5%, which is higher than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (32.9%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $45,298 | $45,592 | $43,819 | $42,833 | $44,792 | $47,734 | $51,667 | $55,083 | $61,250 | $73,004 | $69,342 | $74,333 | $74,318 | $69,239 |
| Median Family Income | $56,458 | $56,625 | $48,906 | $48,864 | $49,779 | $54,773 | $60,326 | $62,250 | $68,274 | $80,294 | $66,406 | $71,250 | $68,750 | $69,946 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $21,406 | $21,389 | $21,389 | $22,500 | $32,031 | $30,893 | $35,395 | $31,806 | $27,083 | $65,917 | $54,167 | $58,333 | $59,453 | $60,804 |
| Median Male Income | $52,083 | $52,778 | $44,792 | $41,538 | $0 | $40,972 | $41,953 | $49,491 | $57,765 | $65,583 | $64,929 | $71,382 | $70,625 | $68,333 |
| Median Female Income | $30,714 | $30,714 | $30,481 | $30,063 | $0 | $26,700 | $30,511 | $30,893 | $31,053 | $34,375 | $36,204 | $39,091 | $39,583 | $45,083 |
| Employed: | 502 | 64.94% |
| Unemployed: | 12 | 1.55% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 259 | 33.51% |
| Total: | 773 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 165 | 32.87% |
| Service: | 77 | 15.34% |
| Sales and Office: | 108 | 21.51% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 80 | 15.94% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 72 | 14.34% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 502 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $120,900, which is well under the national median ($332,700), is up $24,000 (24.77%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $6,800. The median gross rent is $769, which is much lower than the national median ($1,413), is up $244 (46.48%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $369. Of occupied housing, owners make up 76.61% (66.17% with a mortgage, 33.83% free-and-clear) and renters 23.39% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 12.63%, which is much higher than the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $96,900 | $96,400 | $95,500 | $99,900 | $99,000 | $98,500 | $109,300 | $118,300 | $114,100 | $110,300 | $108,900 | $123,800 | $118,300 | $120,900 |
| Less than $500: | 22 | 21.57% |
| $500 to $999: | 48 | 47.06% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 13 | 12.75% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 19 | 18.63% |
| Total: | 102 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $525 | $492 | $572 | $606 | $598 | $590 | $550 | $483 | $400 | $575 | $644 | $758 | $812 | $769 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 221 | 50.69% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 113 | 25.92% |
| Renter Occupied: | 102 | 23.39% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 436 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 436 | 87.37% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 63 | 12.63% |
| Total Housing Units: | 499 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 469 | 93.99% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 30 | 6.01% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 499 | 100% |
In 2024, 12.20% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 87.50%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 2.20%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 19.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 15.40 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 16.70 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (52.55%). College enrollment is 3.14%, which is far lower than the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community may be more oriented toward vocational/trade or direct-to-workforce opportunities.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 35 | 5.49% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 45 | 7.05% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 168 | 26.33% |
| Some college, no degree: | 229 | 35.89% |
| Associate's degree: | 83 | 13.01% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 60 | 9.40% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 18 | 2.82% |
| Total: | 638 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 558 | 87.46% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 78 | 12.23% |
| Private Insurance: | 718 | 64.80% |
| Public Insurance: | 368 | 33.21% |
| No Insurance: | 22 | 1.99% |
| Total: | 1,108 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 1,086 | 98.01% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 1.3% | 1.3% | 2.5% | 1.6% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 5.4% | 10.8% | 16.7% | 19.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 26 | 10.20% |
| Kindergarten: | 13 | 5.10% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 134 | 52.55% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 74 | 29.02% |
| College or graduate school: | 8 | 3.14% |
| Total: | 255 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 39 | 15.29% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 221 | 86.67% |
ZIP Code 52728 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 22 business establishments, employing about 324 people with an annual payroll of $26,220,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 513Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 22Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $6,992,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $26,220,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 324Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 52728 is located in Scott County, Iowa, within the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 19340) and Iowa's 1st Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 379,690 people, about 0.27% of whom live in ZIP Code 52728. It covers 3.072 sq mi of land and a water area of 1.046 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-ILSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 19340Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 379,690Source: Census |
| MSA: | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 3.072 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 1.046 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 12048.84 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 1909235Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Buffalo city; IowaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 52728 is in the Davenport Community School District, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 1 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.