City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Buena Vista, VA

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

6,612
Residents
$54,458
Median income
$153,500
Median home
$1,005
Median rent (state)

Buena Vista - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Buena Vista lands in the 26th percentile for household income and the 90th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

26th
percentile, household income
28th
percentile, home value
20th
percentile, median rent
90th
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 Vista, VA

Virginia's Buena Vista is a small town, with 6,612 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Buena Vista households earn a median of $54,458 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 17.0%. Buena Vista's housing stock carries a median value of $153,500, and the median resident age is 36.2 years. Educational attainment runs 24.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 18 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 64% from five years earlier. Buena Vista reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 378.9 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Virginia tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 101.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,005 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $235 across Virginia, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 3.3 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

6,612 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$54,458 /yr

Poverty 17.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Buena Vista compare to other US cities?

Where Buena Vista sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 26% higher than other cities
Home value 28% pricier than other cities
Median rent 20% pricier than other cities
Safety 90% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Virginia and the picture shifts: Buena Vista ranks #5 of 117 Virginia 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 Vista'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 Virginia, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

26thIncome percentile
90thSafety percentile

26th percentile nationally for median household income · 90th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Buena Vista's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Buena Vista'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 64 Avg. percentile National median
Buena Vista'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 Vista's home value compares nationally

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

$153,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 72% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $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 Vista $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 Vista, VA Buena Vista, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Buena Vista, VA-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 Vista, VA median $54,458/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 Vista, VA'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 Vista, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.3%

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

Population
6,612
Median Income
$54,458
Median Home Value
$153,500
Median Age
36.2
Poverty Rate
17.0%
Labor force participation
53.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
378.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
45.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
333.4
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
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
6,500 residents6,550 residents6,600 residents6,650 residents6,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,616 residents 6,672 residents ▲ +0.8%
Buena Vista's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
18
housing units authorized
Single-Family
14
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 11
2020 9
2021 8
2022 3
2023 20
2024 18

Permit volume increased 64% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.0%
Carpool
6.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
5.8%
Work from Home
8.4%

Based on 2,835 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Virginia 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 Virginia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Buena Vista sits in

Cost of Living Index
101.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,005/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
3.3 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Bridgewater
6,650 people
Galax
6,698 people
Bedford
6,703 people
South Run
6,714 people
Spotsylvania Courthouse
6,793 people
Braddock
6,404 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Buena Vista's 6,612 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Selma, NC
6,611 people
Lynchburg, TN
6,611 people
Oakdale, LA
6,614 people
Jamul, CA
6,617 people
Green Hill, TN
6,617 people
Black Jack, MO
6,606 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Buena Vista's $54,458 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Eastport, MI
$54,457 median income
El Reno, OK
$54,459 median income
Hogansville, GA
$54,453 median income
Claysburg, PA
$54,453 median income
Gays, IL
$54,464 median income
Gadsden, SC
$54,464 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Buena Vista, VA 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 Vista, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.0% 10.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.9% White 86.0% Black or African American 1.6% Asian 0.7% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 10.7% 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 Vista compares to nearby Virginia 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 Vista (this city) 6,612 $54,458
Bridgewater 6,650 $81,012
Galax 6,698 $41,438
Bedford 6,703 $47,697
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Buena Vista, VA?

What is the population of Buena Vista, VA? +

The population of Buena Vista, VA stands at 6,612 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Buena Vista, VA? +

The median household income in Buena Vista is $54,458 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Buena Vista? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Buena Vista; the closest available measure is the Virginia state average, a cost of living index of 101.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Virginia vary by metro area.

Is Buena Vista, VA safe? +

Buena Vista has a total crime rate of 378.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Vista, VA? +

Homes in Buena Vista carry a median value of $153,500, 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

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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.