City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Buena Park, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Buena Park - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

83,052
Residents
$108,187
Median income
$771,900
Median home
$3,236
Median rent (state)

Buena Park - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Buena Park lands in the 82nd percentile for household income and the 21st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

82nd
percentile, household income
94th
percentile, home value
98th
percentile, median rent
21st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Buena Park, CA

Buena Park is a small city in California, home to 83,052 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Buena Park brings in $108,187 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 5.8%. Buena Park's housing stock carries a median value of $771,900, and the median resident age is 37.4 years. 32.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 64.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 97 residential building permits were authorized in Buena Park (Active), per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2612.7 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, California scores 110.7 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $3,236 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in California run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Buena Park report an average commute of 26.1 minutes, with 74.8% driving alone and 9.8% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 99.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

83,052 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$108,187 /yr

Poverty 5.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Buena Park compare to other US cities?

Here's how Buena Park stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 82% higher than other cities
Home value 94% pricier than other cities
Median rent 98% pricier than other cities
Safety 21% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just California and the picture shifts: Buena Park ranks #326 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Buena Park's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in California, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

82ndIncome percentile
21stSafety percentile

82nd percentile nationally for median household income · 21st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Buena Park's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Buena Park's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 36 Avg. percentile National median
Buena Park's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Buena Park's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$771,900 6th percentile more affordable than 6% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Buena Park $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Buena Park, CA Buena Park, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Buena Park, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Buena Park, CA median $108,187/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Buena Park, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Buena Park, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 32.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
83,052
Median Income
$108,187
Median Home Value
$771,900
Median Age
37.4
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Labor force participation
64.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2612.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
249.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2363.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
14
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
81,000 residents82,000 residents83,000 residents84,000 residents85,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 83,815 residents 81,741 residents ▼ -2.5%
Buena Park's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Active
Total Permits (2024)
97
housing units authorized
Single-Family
17
detached homes
Multifamily
80
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 54
2021 182
2022 45
2023 92
2024 97

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
26.1 minutes
Drive Alone
74.8%
Carpool
11.7%
Public Transit
1.4%
Walk
0.7%
Work from Home
9.8%
Other
1.6%

Based on 41,555 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Buena Park sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$3,236/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Redwood City
82,423 people
Folsom
82,140 people
Newport Beach
84,304 people
Alhambra
81,483 people
Rancho Cordova
80,656 people
Lakewood
80,510 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Buena Park's 83,052 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cicero, IL
83,223 people
Warwick, RI
82,871 people
Farmington Hills, MI
83,316 people
Longview, TX
82,765 people
Cranston, RI
82,632 people
Waldorf, MD
82,541 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Buena Park's $108,187 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Shalimar, FL
$108,182 median income
Wall Lake, IN
$108,182 median income
Galt, IL
$108,173 median income
Minnehaha, WA
$108,203 median income
Nadine, NM
$108,164 median income
Virginia, NV
$108,214 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Buena Park, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Buena Park, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 33.3% 32.1% 14.6% 16.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 42.5% White 33.3% Black or African American 2.2% Asian 32.1% American Indian 1.4% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 14.6% Two or more races 16.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Buena Park compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Buena Park (this city) 83,052 $108,187
Redwood City 82,423 $150,840
Folsom 82,140 $139,263
Newport Beach 84,304 $158,461
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Buena Park, CA?

What is the population of Buena Park, CA? +

The population of Buena Park, CA stands at 83,052 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Buena Park, CA? +

In Buena Park, the typical household earns $108,187 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Buena Park? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Buena Park; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is Buena Park, CA safe? +

Buena Park has a total crime rate of 2612.7 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Buena Park, CA? +

Buena Park's median home value sits at $771,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.