Buffalo Valley ZIP Codes — Putnam County, TN

There is one unique ZIP code in Buffalo Valley, Tennessee and it is 38548. Area code: 615.

ZIP codes

28.29

sq mi land

0.12

sq mi water

615

area code

Buffalo Valley, TN ZIP code map

About Buffalo Valley, TN

Buffalo Valley is a quaint city located in Putnam County, Tennessee. Known for its serene environment, the city offers a peaceful lifestyle amid the natural beauty of the region. Residents enjoy a close-knit community atmosphere that embodies rural Tennessee charm.

Location & geography

Buffalo Valley is situated in the central part of Tennessee, approximately 15 miles southeast of Cookeville. The city covers a land area of 28.29 square miles and features a small water area of 0.12 square miles. Its terrain is characterized by rolling hills and lush landscapes typical of the greater Tennessee region, making it a picturesque location.

Community & economy

The character of Buffalo Valley reflects a friendly, rural lifestyle where community ties are strong. The local economy is primarily supported by agriculture and small businesses, nurturing a sense of self-sufficiency among residents. Daily life in Buffalo Valley involves outdoor activities and community gatherings, with many enjoying the scenic surroundings.

Transportation

Buffalo Valley is served by several nearby highways, including State Route 111, which provides access to larger cities and neighboring areas. The closest major airport is the Nashville International Airport, located about 95 miles to the southwest. In terms of public transportation, the city primarily relies on personal vehicles due to its rural nature.

History

Buffalo Valley was established as a farming community, with agriculture being a key industry since its founding. Over the years, the city has seen various developments while maintaining its small-town feel, often hosting local events that celebrate its heritage. Notable events in the area often revolve around seasonal festivals that attract visitors from surrounding communities.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Buffalo Valley is its proximity to picturesque natural landmarks, which offer recreational opportunities for residents and tourists alike. Additionally, the community's rural setting allows for stargazing activities due to low light pollution.

ZIP codes for Buffalo Valley, TN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
38548	Buffalo Valley	Putnam	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,156

Population

50.3

Median age

$58,664

Median household income

$21,889

Per capita income

$211,200

Median home value

$822

Median monthly rent

93.9%

Home ownership

7.5%

Poverty rate

5.6%

Unemployment

485

Housing units

6.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	265	22.9%
18 and over	891	77.1%
65 and over	252	21.8%
Median age	50.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.6%

Two or more races 2.7%

Asian 0.8%

Black or African American 0.5%

Hispanic or Latino 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	1,110	95.6%
Two or more races	31	2.7%
Asian	9	0.8%
Black or African American	6	0.5%
Hispanic or Latino	5	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 4.0%

$10k–$15k 2.6%

$15k–$25k 18.9%

$25k–$35k 13.8%

$35k–$50k 1.2%

$50k–$75k 29.0%

$75k–$100k 8.6%

$100k–$150k 15.2%

$150k–$200k 6.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.0%
$10k–$15k	2.6%
$15k–$25k	18.9%
$25k–$35k	13.8%
$35k–$50k	1.2%
$50k–$75k	29.0%
$75k–$100k	8.6%
$100k–$150k	15.2%
$150k–$200k	6.8%
Median income	$58,664

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.0%

$50k–$100k 12.7%

$100k–$150k 13.9%

$150k–$200k 8.0%

$200k–$300k 38.6%

$300k–$500k 16.7%

$1M+ 2.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$211,200
Median rent / month	$822
Owner occupied	93.9%
Renter occupied	6.1%
Vacant	16.2%
Single-family detached	81.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	18.4%
Median rooms	6.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.65

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.7%
2000–2009	10.2%
1990–1999	8.6%
1980–1989	20.0%
1970–1979	14.1%
1960–1969	15.1%
1950–1959	5.9%
1940–1949	0.8%
1939 or earlier	22.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	7.2%
2 bedrooms	25.2%
3 bedrooms	45.4%
4 bedrooms	18.8%
5+ bedrooms	3.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.6%
1 vehicle	8.2%
2 vehicles	34.3%
3 or more	54.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.4%
Electricity	68.7%
Propane / LP gas	13.6%
Wood	16.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	342	79.9%
Cohabiting couple	9	2.1%
Male householder, no spouse	32	7.5%
Female householder, no spouse	45	10.5%
Households with children under 18	77	18.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	193	45.1%
Average household size	2.70

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	26.1%	7.4%
Married	67.2%	78.7%
Separated	1.3%	2.6%
Widowed	5.5%	4.6%
Divorced	0.0%	6.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.0%

Some HS, no diploma 1.3%

HS graduate 71.5%

Some college, no degree 15.5%

Associate's degree 3.1%

Bachelor's degree 1.6%

Graduate / professional 5.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.8%
Bachelor's or higher	6.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	168	74.0%
High school	50	22.0%
College / grad school	9	4.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 32.1%

Retail trade 21.3%

Construction 14.3%

Transportation & utilities 6.5%

Education & healthcare 5.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.9%

Professional & management 5.4%

Other services 3.5%

Agriculture & mining 2.2%

Finance & real estate 1.9%

Wholesale trade 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	12.4%
Service	10.8%
Sales & office	16.4%
Natural resources & construction	15.1%
Production & transportation	45.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	88.1%
Government	0.0%
Self-employed	11.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.2%
Carpool	4.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	1.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	39.8

Poverty

All people 7.5%

Under 18 years 11.7%

18 and over 6.3%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 70.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	55.1%
Retirement income	29.9%
Supplemental Security	28.0%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	9.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	40.6%
High cholesterol	37.6%
Heart disease	8.4%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	10.2%
Arthritis	31.7%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	10.2%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.3%
No physical activity	28.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.9%
Fair or poor health	18.3%
Poor mental health	16.8%
Poor physical health	12.7%
No health insurance	17.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.6%
Visited dentist	56.0%
Cholesterol screening	90.2%
Teeth loss	18.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	65	7.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.6%
Under 18	2.3%
18–64 years	14.2%
65 and over	28.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	78.4%
Public insurance	38.0%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,083	93.7%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,147	99.2%
Born in same state	1,147	99.2%
Born in different state	749	64.8%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	9	0.8%
Not a US citizen	9	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	275	23.8%
French	237	20.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	109	9.4%
German	9	0.8%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.0%
Internet access	97.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Buffalo Valley, TN have?

Buffalo Valley, TN has one ZIP code: 38548. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.