Buena, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

Buena is a small town in New Jersey with a population of 4,500. Residents earn $78,393 per year, which is 4% above the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
4,500 Population 594/sq mi density
$78,393 Median Income $35,644 per capita
$249,100 Home Value $315,201 Zillow
$1,138 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
238 Violent Crime/100K 1,771 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$78,393 median income, 8.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$249,100 home value, $1,138/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
238 violent crimes/100K (37% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,393
4% higher than US avg
Home Value $249,100
12% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 238/100K
37% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.4%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,138
2% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.9%
7% lower than US avg
Unemployment 8.1%
125% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.9%
77% lower than US avg

How Buena Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population4,500
Median Age33.6 yrs
Density594/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 67%

Economy

B+
Median Income$78,393
Per Capita$35,644
Unemployment8.1%
Poverty2.9%
County GDP$19,423M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$249,100
Rent$1,138
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$315,201

Crime

F
Violent238/100K
Property1,771/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault173/100K
Burglary562/100K

Health

Obesity29.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression17.2%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain47.5 in/yr
Elevation120 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.4%
High School+86.5%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 51% / D 48%
Commute30 min
Libraries15

Is Buena a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Buena receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Buena offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Buena is $78,393, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 8.1%, unemployment is notably high. Only 2.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Buena is $249,100, 12% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,138 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Buena is below the national average at 238 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,771 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

21.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Buena experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.5 inches, including 19.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Buena has a population of 4,500 with a density of 594 people per square mile. The median age is 33.6 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (67%), with 3% Black.

Population

4,500
Total Population
594
People / sq mi
33.6yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
7.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.9%
Female 55.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Buena vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only65.7%
16% below US avg
Spanish34.3%
156% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Buena vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Buena is $78,393, which is 4% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 2.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Buena vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,393
4% above US avg
Per Capita Income$35,644
Avg Weekly Wage$1,139
IRS Avg AGI$70,837

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.1%
125% above US avg
Poverty Rate2.9%
77% below US avg
Establishments (County)7,268
County GDP$19,423M

Business (County)

Restaurants830
Healthcare802
Retail1,005
Manufacturing120

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,412
140% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.38%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.0 min
Work from Home5.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Buena is $249,100, 12% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,138 (2% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $315,201.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$249,100
12% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$315,201
Median List Price$409,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$409,950
$/Sq Ft$278
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio99.6%
Price Drops54.6%
Inventory11

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,138
2% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,599
1 Bedroom$1,759
2 Bedrooms$2,132
3 Bedrooms$2,658
4 Bedrooms$3,005

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied67.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,412
140% above US avg
Effective Rate3.38%
In Buena, 29.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 17.2% report depression. 24.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Buena vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.9%
7% below US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma9.3%
COPD4.7%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.0%
Physical Inactivity24.8%
Depression17.2%
Mental Distress16.8%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.8%
Checkup Rate76.4%
Premature Death10,072/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access90.6%
Healthcare Facilities802
Buena has a violent crime rate of 238 per 100,000 residents, 37% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,771 per 100,000 (10% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Buena vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent237.6/100K
37% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery64.8/100K
Assault172.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,771.4/100K
10% below US avg
Burglary561.7/100K
Theft1,166.6/100K
Vehicle Theft43.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)34

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Buena has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average54.6°F
1% above US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.5 inches
25% above US avg
Snowfall19.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation120 ft (37 m)
Area7.6 sq mi (19.6 km²)
Population Density594/sq mi
Coordinates39.5292°N, 74.9452°W
County FIPS34001
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 21.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.7%
D 47.7%

Winner: Republican by 3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.4%
36% below US avg
High School+86.5%
School Test Score6.24
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density594/sq mi
Total Area7.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries15
Healthcare Facilities802
Restaurants830
Retail Stores1,005

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)34
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.0 min
Work from Home5.3%

Nearby Cities

Compare Buena with another city: