At a Glance
Median Income
$49,271
$21,183 per capita
Home Value
$173,400
Zillow: $280,304
Median Rent
$914/mo
27.7% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
6.7%
68.8% high school+
Unemployment
11.2%
15.7% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
38.3%
20.8% smoking rate
How Buchanan Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Buchanan's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Buchanan a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.8 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Buchanan residents earn a median household income of $49,271 , which is 34% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $21,183. The unemployment rate stands at 11.2% (211% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 15.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 619 business establishments, including 50 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Buchanan is $173,400 , 38% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $280,304. Median rent is $914/month, with 27.7% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 96.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1968.
Education
6.7% of adults in Buchanan hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(80% below the national average).
68.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.6/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Buchanan has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C).
Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.4 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population1,324
Median Age38.1 yrs
Density889/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Foreign Born1.1%
Veterans4.6%
Economy
C
Median Income$49,271
Per Capita$21,183
Unemployment11.2%
Poverty15.7%
County GDP$1,403M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,028
Housing
A+
Home Value$173,400
Rent$914
Ownership48.5%
Zillow$280,304
Housing Units452
Rent Burden27.7%
Health
Obesity38.3%
Diabetes12.8%
Smoking20.8%
Heart Disease6.8%
Premature Death12,727/100K
Climate
Avg Temp61°F
Rain52.4 in/yr
Elevation1,199 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+6.7%
High School+68.8%
Graduate+1.5%
School Score5.6/10
Community
2024 VoteR 87% / D 13%
Commute26 min
Broadband78.1%
Internet Speed74 Mbps
EV Stations4
Libraries3
Did You Know?
The median home in Buchanan was built in 1968.
The nearest airport is Richard B Russell Regional - J H Towers Field (38 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.430 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
18.4% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 13 fatal vehicle crashes.
91 declared natural disasters on record.