Buffalo, Wyoming

Buffalo is a city in and the county seat of Johnson County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 4,415 at the 2020 census, With the decline of methane production, Buffalo's population has stabilized since the 2010 Census. Even though energy is a vital part of its economy, agriculture, tourism, and recreation are three other major components. Buffalo is located at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. The city is located almost equidistant between Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Buffalo had a population of 4,415. The median age was 46.1 years. 20.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 26.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.2 males age 18 and over.

There were 2,006 households in Buffalo, of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.9% were married-couple households, 21.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

| White || 4,005 || 90.7%

| Black or African American || 20 || 0.5%

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 53 || 1.2%

| Asian || 15 || 0.3%

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 6 || 0.1%

| Some other race || 62 || 1.4%

| Two or more races || 254 || 5.8%

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 227 || 5.1%

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,585 people, 2,080 households, and 1,198 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 2,300 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.5% White, 0.3% African American, 1.6% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% of the population.

There were 2,080 households, of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.4% were non-families. 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the city was 42.2 years. 23% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 19.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.1% male and 49.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Buffalo has a cold semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Buffalo was on August 5, 1979, while the coldest temperature recorded was on January 17, 1930.

|source 2 = National Weather Service

Government and infrastructure

The Wyoming Department of Health Veteran's Home of Wyoming, an assisted living facility for veterans and their dependents, is located in Buffalo. The facility was operated by the Wyoming Board of Charities and Reform until that agency was dissolved as a result of a state constitutional amendment passed in November 1990. Buffalo also has an airport named Johnson County Airport/KBYG.

Education

thumbnail|center|800px|Buffalo at the base of the Bighorn Mountains

Public education in the city of Buffalo is provided by Johnson County School District #1. Schools serving the city include Meadowlark Elementary School (grades K-2) Cloud Peak Elementary School (grades 3–5), Clear Creek Middle School (grades 6–8), and Buffalo High School (grades 9–12). Buffalo High School was in the national news spotlight after the (former) head football coach, distributed an offensive "hurt feelings report" in November 2011. This attention brought several heated school board meetings and eventually lead to the resignation of Lynch as the head football coach.

Buffalo has a public library, the Johnson County Library.

Transportation

Buffalo is located near the northern terminus of Interstate 25, where it joins with Interstate 90.

The city is served by a general aviation airfield, the Johnson County Airport (Wyoming), which does not have scheduled passenger air service.

Airports in the region which do have airline service include:

Sheridan (SHR) - Approx. 1/2-hour drive to Buffalo
Gillette (GCC) - Approx. 1-hour drive to Buffalo
Casper (CPR) - Approx. 1.5-hour drive to Buffalo
Billings (BIL) - Approx. 2+hours drive to Buffalo

Public transport

Buffalo and its surroundings are served by the Buffalo Area Transit System which is a paratransit service operated by the Buffalo Senior Center Buffalo Area Transit System also offers trips to Sheridan and Casper.

Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Express Arrow and Jefferson Lines.

Media

Radio

KBBS AM 1450 "Classic Country"
KBTG FM 88.3 "Buffalo's Traditional Gospel"
KBUW FM 90.5 Wyoming Public Radio
KLGT FM 96.5 "KIX 96.5"
KZZS FM 98.3 "The Peak"

Notable people

thumb|Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum in Buffalo

Mark Gordon (born 1957), businessman, rancher from Buffalo and Wyoming governor
Frank E. Lucas (1876–1948), Governor of Wyoming
Mathew Pitsch (born 1963), Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Fort Smith since 2015; Buffalo native
Chris Prosinski (born 1987), safety for the Chicago Bears; previously played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles
Constantine Scollen (1841–1902), missionary, resident priest from 1893 to 1894
Joe Tiller (1942–2017), head football coach Wyoming (six years) and Purdue (nine years), winningest coach ever at Purdue

References

External links

Chamber of Commerce website