Buena Vista, MI
Full City Profile · Michigan · Bay County County
2.8
/5.0
C+
Fair
5,904
Population
1,476/sq mi density
$38,835
Median Income
$18,104 per capita
$51,800
Home Value
$123,169 Zillow
$875
Median Rent
51.0% income on rent
48°F
Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.7 / 5.0
$38,835 median income, 16.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$51,800 home value, $875/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Buena Vista experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.0 inches. The area receives 40.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.
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) |
Geography
| Elevation | 606 ft (185 m) |
| Area | 4.5 sq mi (11.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,476/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.4175°N, 83.9005°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Bay County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mbs International (MBS) 12 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 76.3% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 9.5 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 44.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 98.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.5 m (5 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1952 | LAKE HURON, MI | Avalanche | 1.5 m | - | 127 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 in | Driest |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 3.6 in | Wettest |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 2.7 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 2.9 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.0 in |
Buena Vista has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 23°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.0 inches, with April being the wettest month (3.6") and February the driest (1.9").