County · Virginia
Buena Vista city, Virginia
Buena Vista city, Virginia. Buena Vista city had 6,672 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.6% since 2020, slower than Virginia (+2.9%). It holds 1 place (1 city, village or borough) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 51530.
Buena Vista city is the same area as Buena Vista: the county and the city are one area with the same figures. This page lists its census tracts and the places within it; the city's page has its city ranks and its building permits.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,672
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,641 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,593
Median household income
$57,833
±$8,629 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$156,200
±$14,139 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$1,112
±$127 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Buena Vista city, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,641 residents in Buena Vista city. The Census Bureau estimates 6,672 for July 1, 2025, up 0.6% since 2020, slower than Virginia (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 6,593 over 6 square miles of land.
| Measure | Buena Vista city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,593 | 8,705,170 | +109 |
| Households | 2,554±153 | 3,365,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.38±0.14 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,949±15 | 3,684,756 | +83 |
Buena Vista city's population since 2000
From 6,349 in 2000 to 6,672 in 2025: up 5.1%. 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 city?
Buena Vista city holds 1 place: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place). The largest is Buena Vista with 6,672 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Buena Vista | 6,641 | $57,833 |
|---|
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 city?
The median resident of Buena Vista city is 35.9 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 18.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 10.0%.
| Measure | Buena Vista city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.9±1.9 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.0%±0.7 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.8%±1.0 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 11.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.7%±1.4 pts | 58.4% | −3.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.0%±1.3 pts | 18.3% | −5.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.9 pts | 6.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±2.0 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 10.0%±2.9 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9%±0.8 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.1%±0.9 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.0%±2.1 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 20.9%±4.5 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.3%±2.0 pts | 6.9% | −6.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.9%±3.7 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.3%±5.0 pts | 42.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.6%±3.5 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 6.3%±2.4 pts | 3.1% | – |
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 city earn?
Half of Buena Vista city's 2,554 households earn less than $57,833 a year (±$8,629), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $39,942 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $17,891 after inflation. 18.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Buena Vista city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,833±$8,629 | $93,170 | +$17,891 |
| Mean household income | $63,830±$8,508 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,609±$3,402 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 18.8%±6.5 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.0%±15.4 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.6%±5.3 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.6%±5.3 pts | 91.0% | – |
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 city?
Owners occupy 56.5% of Buena Vista city's occupied homes and renters 43.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $156,200 by its owner (±$14,139). The median renter pays $1,112 a month including utilities, and 42.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Buena Vista city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $156,200±$14,139 | $383,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,112±$127 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.6%±12.4 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $968±$130 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56.5%±7.7 pts | 67.3% | −11.5 pts |
| Housing units | 2,949±15 | 3,684,756 | +83 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 9.1%±6.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.8%±1.3 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 82.2%±4.7 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.6%±2.7 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.7%±4.9 pts | 7.0% | – |
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 city building?
Builders took permits for 13 new housing units across Buena Vista city in 2025 (13 single-family), 1.9 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 city get to work?
76.6% of Buena Vista city's workers drive alone and 8.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.4 minutes.
| Measure | Buena Vista city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.4%±5.5 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.4%±2.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 76.6%±6.3 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.0%±5.0 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 5.3%±3.6 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.1%±4.0 pts | 18.3% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.4 min±2.2 | 27.3 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 city's census tracts?
Buena Vista city is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $50,392 (Tract 9306.02) to $62,155 (Tract 9306.01).
| Tract 9306.0151530930601 | 3,572±313 | $62,155 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9306.0251530930602 | 3,021±313 | $50,392 |
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 city compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 125th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 82nd of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 34th of 133 |
| Median household income | 97th of 133 |
| Median home value | 109th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 60th of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 20th of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 82nd of 133 |
| Median age | 116th of 133 |
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 city 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.