County · Iowa
Buena Vista County, Iowa
Buena Vista County, Iowa. Buena Vista County had 20,449 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.8% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 10 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 19021.
Buena Vista County is the county of the Storm Lake, IA micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,449
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 20,823 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,753
Median household income
$71,719
±$7,936 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$159,500
±$10,332 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$894
±$53 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Buena Vista County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 20,823 residents in Buena Vista County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,449 for July 1, 2025, down 1.8% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 20,753 over 575 square miles of land.
| Measure | Buena Vista County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,753 | 3,210,507 | +695 |
| Households | 7,546±181 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.62±0.06 | 2.36 | +0.09 |
| Housing units | 8,293±31 | 1,437,699 | no clear change |
Buena Vista County's population since 2000
From 20,411 in 2000 to 20,449 in 2025: up 0.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Buena Vista County?
Buena Vista County holds 10 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Storm Lake with 11,590 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Storm Lake | 11,269 | $62,765 |
|---|---|---|
| Alta | 2,087 | $65,833 |
| Newell | 906 | $66,667 |
| Sioux Rapids | 748 | $60,000 |
| Lakeside | 700 | $106,250 |
| Albert City | 677 | $80,972 |
| Marathon | 230 | $39,375 |
| Rembrandt | 209 | $58,438 |
| Linn GroveGEOID 1945480 | 163 | $62,250 |
| TruesdaleGEOID 1979095 | 69 | $100,076 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Buena Vista County?
The median resident of Buena Vista County is 35.6 years old; 26.6% are under 18 and 16.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 52.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 29.4%. 21.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Buena Vista County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.6±0.4 | 38.6 | +0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 26.6% | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.3%±0.8 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 29.4% | 7.3% | +3.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 52.1%±0.5 pts | 82.3% | −7.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.3%±0.4 pts | 3.8% | +0.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 9.5%±0.7 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 2.9%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.8 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 21.3%±2.0 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 36.5%±2.0 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.1%±0.7 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 10.3%±1.5 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.2%±1.6 pts | 5.0% | −2.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 81.3%±3.0 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.2%±2.1 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.5%±1.6 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.4%±0.9 pts | 2.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Buena Vista County earn?
Half of Buena Vista County's 7,546 households earn less than $71,719 a year (±$7,936), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $70,303 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Buena Vista County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $71,719±$7,936 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $94,361±$6,280 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,666±$2,000 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.8%±2.0 pts | 11.1% | −5.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.4%±4.4 pts | 12.9% | −12.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.0%±2.7 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.1%±1.9 pts | 88.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Buena Vista County?
Owners occupy 73.2% of Buena Vista County's occupied homes and renters 26.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $159,500 by its owner (±$10,332). The median renter pays $894 a month including utilities, and 25.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Buena Vista County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $159,500±$10,332 | $208,000 | +$17,232 |
| Median gross rent | $894±$53 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.8%±7.8 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,331±$97 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.2%±3.5 pts | 71.7% | +8.6 pts |
| Housing units | 8,293±31 | 1,437,699 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±1.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.8%±5.4 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.4%±3.3 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.3%±1.2 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 28.1%±3.5 pts | 23.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Buena Vista County building?
Builders took permits for 16 new housing units across Buena Vista County in 2025 (14 single-family), 0.8 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Buena Vista County get to work?
72.5% of Buena Vista County's workers drive alone and 5.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 14.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.5%.
| Measure | Buena Vista County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.0%±2.0 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5%±1.4 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.5%±3.6 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 16.4%±3.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.7 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 4.4%±1.3 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.6%±1.1 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 14.0 min±0.9 | 19.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Buena Vista County's census tracts?
Buena Vista County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $59,091 (Tract 9604) to $91,620 (Tract 9606).
| Tract 960119021960100 | 1,320±143 | $74,167 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960219021960200 | 1,653±157 | $69,511 |
| Tract 960319021960300 | 1,865±209 | $77,054 |
| Tract 960419021960400 | 6,315±466 | $59,091 |
| Tract 960519021960500 | 5,736±456 | $70,278 |
| Tract 960619021960600 | 3,864±260 | $91,620 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Buena Vista County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 30th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 65th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 30th of 99 |
| Median household income | 44th of 99 |
| Median home value | 52nd of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 22nd of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 81st of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 51st of 99 |
| Median age | 96th of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Buena Vista County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.