Median Income
$38,835
48% lower than US avg
Home Value
$51,800
82% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
7.5%
78% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$875
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
51.3%
60% higher than US avg
Unemployment
8.1%
125% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate
24.0%
94% higher than US avg
How Buena Vista Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population5,904
Median Age34.7 yrs
Density1,476/mi²
Male / Female44% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 16%
Economy
D
Median Income$38,835
Per Capita$18,104
Unemployment8.1%
Poverty24.0%
County GDP$4,724M
Commute22 min
Housing
A+
Home Value$51,800
Rent$875
OwnershipN/A
Health
Obesity51.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.6%
Heart Disease9.1%
Climate
Avg Temp48°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain34.0 in/yr
Elevation606 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+7.5%
High School+83.0%
School Score5.23
Community
2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute22 min
Libraries5
Is Buena Vista a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Buena Vista receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, 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 $38,835, 48% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.1%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 24.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Buena Vista is $51,800, 82% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $875 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Education
7.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.
Climate & Weather
Buena Vista experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.0 inches, including 40.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.
Buena Vista has a population of 5,904 with a density of 1,476 people per square mile. The median age is 34.7 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (77.4%), with 15.6% White.
Population
34.7yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
Race & Ethnicity
Buena Vista vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 91.6% |
| 17% above US avg |
| Spanish | 8.4% |
| 37% below US avg |
Social Characteristics
Buena Vista vs U.S. Average
The median household income in Buena Vista is $38,835, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 24.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.
Income: Buena Vista vs U.S.
Income
| Median HH Income | $38,835 |
| 48% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $18,104 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,050 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $61,334 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 8.1% |
| 125% above US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 24.0% |
| 94% above US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 2,117 |
| County GDP | $4,724M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 211 |
| Healthcare | 326 |
| Retail | 355 |
| Manufacturing | 99 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $4,313 |
| 23% above US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 8.33% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 22.4 min |
| Work from Home | 6.0% |
The median home value in Buena Vista is $51,800, 82% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $875 (25% below US avg).
Home Values
| Census Median | $51,800 |
| 82% below US avg |
| Median List Price | $48,000 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
| Median List Price | $48,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $64 |
| Homes Sold | 7 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 95.8% |
| Price Drops | 31.8% |
| Inventory | 22 |
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $875 |
| 25% below US avg |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $807 |
| 1 Bedroom | $891 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,113 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,419 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,588 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $4,313 |
| 23% above US avg |
| Effective Rate | 8.33% |
In Buena Vista, 51.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.6% report depression. 46.8% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Buena Vista vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 51.3% |
| 60% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 22.0% |
| Heart Disease | 9.1% |
| High Blood Pressure | 49.7% |
| Asthma | 15.5% |
| COPD | 13.6% |
| Stroke | 6.9% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 10.7% |
| Physical Inactivity | 46.8% |
| Depression | 26.6% |
| Mental Distress | 24.6% |
| Physical Distress | 21.2% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 92.7% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 82.3% |
| Premature Death | 9,515/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 7.4/10 |
| Exercise Access | 77.0% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 326 |
Crime Rates: Buena Vista vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 15 |
Safety Score
Buena Vista has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 48.3°F |
| 11% below US avg |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 34.0 inches |
| 11% below US avg |
| Snowfall | 40.7 inches/yr |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 606 ft (185 m) |
| Area | 4.0 sq mi (10.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,476/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.4175°N, 83.9005°W |
| County FIPS | 26017 |