Buena Vista, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Buena Vista, Colorado had a total population of 3,010, the 145th largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $78,323, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.3x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 12.4% is notably above the national average.
Buena Vista Quick Facts
How Buena Vista Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,966 | 3,010 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $58,409 | $78,323 | +34.1% |
| Median home value | $495,800 | $572,700 | +15.5% |
How Buena Vista Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 52 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buena Vista Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Chaffee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salida | 5,861 | $70,045 | 11.1% | $648,500 |
| Poncha Springs | 959 | $97,139 | 0.4% | $522,900 |
| Maysville | 235 | N/A | 20.8% | $1,321,800 |
| Smeltertown | 188 | N/A | 76.6% | N/A |
| Nathrop | 187 | $30,040 | 0.0% | $125,500 |
| Johnson Village | 129 | N/A | 13.2% | N/A |
| Garfield | 93 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Buena Vista
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platteville | 2,928 | $74,500 | $416,700 | 14.6% | 9.0% |
| Burlington | 3,152 | $74,308 | $208,100 | 17.5% | 9.2% |
| La Salle | 3,061 | $95,833 | $384,600 | 17.9% | 7.9% |
| Bayfield | 2,901 | $93,125 | $412,500 | 32.5% | 8.4% |
| Snowmass Village | 2,972 | $102,959 | $1,729,900 | 56.8% | 1.7% |
Population Overview
Buena Vista is a small community located in Colorado, within Chaffee County. The total population is 3,010. It ranks as the 145th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buena Vista is 36.0 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buena Vista is $78,323. This is 18% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.3%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 12.4%. This is 168% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $572,700. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 46.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Buena Vista has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 22.5%.
Education
53.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 45.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buena Vista, Colorado is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Colorado state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 472 Census-designated places in Colorado. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Buena Vista, Colorado?
Buena Vista, Colorado has a population of 3,010 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buena Vista, CO?
The median household income in Buena Vista is $78,323, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Buena Vista, CO?
The poverty rate in Buena Vista is 7.3%. This means approximately 220 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buena Vista, Colorado?
Buena Vista's population is 92.8% White, 0.0% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buena Vista, CO?
The median home value in Buena Vista is $572,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.3x.
How educated is Buena Vista, Colorado?
53.5% of adults (25+) in Buena Vista hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.