Buena Vista, CO

Colorado

Buena Vista is a small town in Colorado with a population of 2,966. Residents earn $58,409 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,966 Population 852/sq mi density
$58,409 Median Income $29,921 per capita
$495,800 Home Value $652,116 Zillow
$1,519 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
145 Violent Crime/100K 1,265 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$58,409 median income, 10.5% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.9 / 5.0
$495,800 home value, $1,519/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
145 violent crimes/100K (62% below avg)
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
41.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,409
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $495,800
76% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 145/100K
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 41.6%
23% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,519
31% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.5%
17% lower than US avg
Unemployment 10.5%
192% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,966
Median Age33.1 yrs
Density852/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

B
Median Income$58,409
Per Capita$29,921
Unemployment10.5%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$1,305M
Commute11 min

Housing

D
Home Value$495,800
Rent$1,519
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$652,116

Crime

F
Violent145/100K
Property1,265/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault145/100K
Burglary72/100K

Health

Obesity26.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.5%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain9.9 in/yr
Elevation7,988 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+41.6%
High School+95.4%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 42% / D 55%
Commute11 min
EV Stations5
Libraries2

Is Buena Vista a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Buena Vista receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Buena Vista has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Buena Vista is $58,409, 22% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.5%, unemployment is notably high. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Buena Vista is $495,800, making it a premium housing market at 76% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,519 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.5x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Buena Vista is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 145 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,265 per 100,000, 35% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 41.6% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 95.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Buena Vista has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 9.9 inches, including 49.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Buena Vista has a population of 2,966 with a density of 852 people per square mile. The median age is 33.1 years, 15% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.4%).

Population

2,966
Total Population
852
People / sq mi
33.1yrs
Median Age
15% below US avg
3.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.6%
Female 47.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Buena Vista vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.5%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.5%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Buena Vista vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Buena Vista is $58,409, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes.

Income: Buena Vista vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,409
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,921
Avg Weekly Wage$1,014
IRS Avg AGI$89,973

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.5%
192% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,244
County GDP$1,305M

Business (County)

Restaurants137
Healthcare88
Retail155
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,046
13% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.61%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time10.7 min
Work from Home12.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Buena Vista is $495,800, 76% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,519 (31% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $652,116.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$495,800
76% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$652,116

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,519
31% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,083
1 Bedroom$1,161
2 Bedrooms$1,429
3 Bedrooms$1,861
4 Bedrooms$2,178

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied43.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,046
13% below US avg
Effective Rate0.61%
In Buena Vista, 26.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.5% report depression. 19.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity26.5%
17% below US avg
Diabetes8.5%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure26.9%
Asthma12.1%
COPD6.9%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.2%
Physical Inactivity19.5%
Depression25.5%
Mental Distress19.2%
Physical Distress13.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.0%
Checkup Rate69.0%
Premature Death6,516/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access99.9%
Healthcare Facilities88
Buena Vista has a violent crime rate of 145 per 100,000 residents, 62% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,265 per 100,000 (35% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent144.6/100K
62% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault144.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,264.9/100K
35% below US avg
Burglary72.3/100K
Theft1,084.2/100K
Vehicle Theft108.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Buena Vista has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation is 9.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average44.7°F
17% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall9.9 inches
74% below US avg
Snowfall49.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation7,988 ft (2,435 m)
Area3.5 sq mi (9.0 km²)
Population Density852/sq mi
Coordinates38.8320°N, 106.1387°W
County FIPS08015
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 41.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 13.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 41.9%
D 55.4%

Winner: Democrat by 13.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+41.6%
23% above US avg
High School+95.4%
School Test Score5.90
A Education Grade (4.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density852/sq mi
Total Area3.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities88
Restaurants137
Retail Stores155

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute10.7 min
Work from Home12.8%

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