New Buffalo ZIP Codes — Berrien County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in New Buffalo, Michigan and it is 49117. Area code: 269.

ZIP codes

19.03

sq mi land

2.00

sq mi water

269

area code

New Buffalo, MI ZIP code map

About New Buffalo, MI

New Buffalo, Michigan, is a charming city located along the shores of Lake Michigan. Known for its scenic beauty and vibrant community, it offers both residents and visitors a relaxing retreat. With its captivating landscapes and welcoming atmosphere, New Buffalo is a popular destination for those seeking a blend of outdoor adventure and cultural experiences.

Location & geography

Nestled in Berrien County, New Buffalo is approximately 90 miles from Chicago and about 35 miles from South Bend, Indiana. The city covers a land area of 19.03 square miles, with 2.00 square miles of water, showcasing its proximity to the lake. The terrain features sandy beaches and lush greenery, creating a picturesque setting for various recreational activities.

Community & economy

New Buffalo boasts a friendly and engaged community, with a strong focus on local businesses and cultural events. The city's economy is supported by tourism, thanks to its beautiful waterfront, as well as retail and service industries contributing to daily life. Residents enjoy a laid-back lifestyle, with numerous outdoor activities, fine dining options, and seasonal events that enrich the community spirit.

Transportation

New Buffalo is easily accessible via Interstate 94, which runs nearby, connecting it to major cities and other attractions. The nearest named airport is the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport, located approximately 30 miles away in Benton Harbor. Public transportation options are limited, but the city provides a peaceful environment with walkable areas, ideal for exploring local shops and parks.

History

Founded in the early 1800s, New Buffalo quickly became a key trading post and a vital hub for the lumber industry during its development. Over the years, it transitioned into a favored resort destination, attracting visitors from the Midwest. Key events, such as the establishment of waterfront parks and the development of local businesses, have shaped New Buffalo into the vibrant community it is today.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about New Buffalo is that it has one of the few remaining historic paddlewheel boats operating in Lake Michigan. Additionally, the city is renowned for its stunning sunsets, drawing photographers and nature enthusiasts alike to capture the beauty.

ZIP codes for New Buffalo, MI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
49117	New Buffalo	Berrien	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,390

Population

56.7

Median age

$68,646

Median household income

$58,445

Per capita income

$409,000

Median home value

$696

Median monthly rent

77.6%

Home ownership

14.6%

Poverty rate

10.0%

Unemployment

3,261

Housing units

44.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

107

25–34

100

139

35–44

130

309

45–54

288

115

55–59

107

173

60–64

160

414

65–74

386

143

75–84

133

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	418	12.3%
18 and over	2,972	87.7%
65 and over	1,224	36.1%
Median age	56.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 90.1%

Two or more races 3.7%

Hispanic or Latino 3.4%

Other race 0.9%

Asian 0.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%

Black or African American 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	3,165	90.1%
Two or more races	130	3.7%
Hispanic or Latino	121	3.4%
Other race	32	0.9%
Asian	29	0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	23	0.7%
Black or African American	11	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 10.4%

$10k–$15k 3.9%

$15k–$25k 9.1%

$25k–$35k 9.0%

$35k–$50k 8.0%

$50k–$75k 15.8%

$75k–$100k 6.7%

$100k–$150k 14.3%

$150k–$200k 9.1%

$200k+ 13.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	10.4%
$10k–$15k	3.9%
$15k–$25k	9.1%
$25k–$35k	9.0%
$35k–$50k	8.0%
$50k–$75k	15.8%
$75k–$100k	6.7%
$100k–$150k	14.3%
$150k–$200k	9.1%
$200k+	13.8%
Median income	$68,646

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.6%

$50k–$100k 1.7%

$100k–$150k 4.3%

$150k–$200k 2.6%

$200k–$300k 19.8%

$300k–$500k 29.4%

$500k–$1M 23.7%

$1M+ 15.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$409,000
Median rent / month	$696
Owner occupied	77.6%
Renter occupied	22.4%
Vacant	51.8%
Single-family detached	80.2%
Large apartment buildings	7.2%
Mobile homes	0.6%
Median rooms	6.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.00

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.5%
2000–2009	14.5%
1990–1999	16.6%
1980–1989	14.9%
1970–1979	7.4%
1960–1969	13.4%
1950–1959	10.7%
1940–1949	3.1%
1939 or earlier	14.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.5%
1 bedroom	9.0%
2 bedrooms	12.5%
3 bedrooms	43.5%
4 bedrooms	21.8%
5+ bedrooms	11.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.3%
1 vehicle	42.5%
2 vehicles	35.1%
3 or more	17.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	67.9%
Electricity	23.2%
Propane / LP gas	6.4%
Fuel oil	0.5%
Wood	1.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	799	45.3%
Cohabiting couple	47	2.7%
Male householder, no spouse	436	24.7%
Female householder, no spouse	482	27.3%
Households with children under 18	259	14.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	903	51.2%
Average household size	1.91

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	28.1%	17.2%
Married	54.6%	54.4%
Separated	5.3%	1.6%
Widowed	2.7%	8.7%
Divorced	9.3%	18.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.7%

Some HS, no diploma 3.3%

HS graduate 25.9%

Some college, no degree 15.3%

Associate's degree 9.2%

Bachelor's degree 20.8%

Graduate / professional 23.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	95.0%
Bachelor's or higher	44.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	27	5.8%
Kindergarten	19	4.1%
Elementary school	201	43.2%
High school	118	25.4%
College / grad school	100	21.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 19.4%

Professional & management 14.0%

Finance & real estate 9.6%

Manufacturing 8.9%

Transportation & utilities 5.2%

Construction 5.0%

Retail trade 4.9%

Other services 3.0%

Public administration 3.0%

Wholesale trade 2.2%

Information 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	45.3%
Service	18.0%
Sales & office	22.3%
Natural resources & construction	7.8%
Production & transportation	6.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.0%
Government	15.1%
Self-employed	6.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	68.1%
Carpool	7.2%
Public transit	3.7%
Walk	2.8%
Other means	0.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.9

Poverty

All people 14.6%

Under 18 years 19.7%

18 and over 13.9%

Married-couple families 8.5%

Female-led households 1.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	44.9%
Retirement income	28.5%
Supplemental Security	3.5%
Cash public assistance	1.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.2%
High cholesterol	39.6%
Heart disease	8.0%
Stroke	3.5%
Asthma	10.2%
Arthritis	32.2%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	8.0%
Cancer	8.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.7%
No physical activity	18.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.8%
Fair or poor health	13.9%
Poor mental health	13.8%
Poor physical health	10.9%
No health insurance	7.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.2%
Visited dentist	71.7%
Cholesterol screening	93.9%
Teeth loss	9.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	214	7.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.7%
Under 18	2.9%
18–64 years	10.3%
65 and over	25.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	71.7%
Public insurance	46.7%
Uninsured under 19	7.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,309	97.6%
Spanish	35	1.1%
Other Indo-European	12	0.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	18	0.5%
Other languages	5	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,260	96.2%
Born in same state	3,245	95.7%
Born in different state	714	21.1%
Foreign born	15	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	130	3.8%
Not a US citizen	90	69.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	661	19.5%
French	270	8%
English	110	3.2%
Arab	80	2.4%
Polish	63	1.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	61	1.8%
Irish	33	1%
Dutch	9	0.3%
German	7	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	52.0%
Internet access	94.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does New Buffalo, MI have?

New Buffalo, MI has one ZIP code: 49117. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.