Buena Vista, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Buena Vista, Georgia had a total population of 1,717, the 318th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $28,878, which is 63% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 63% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
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 | 1,966 | 1,717 | -12.7% |
| Median household income | $32,197 | $28,878 | -10.3% |
| Median home value | $92,000 | $80,900 | -12.1% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buena Vista Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Marion County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tazewell | 33 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berry College | 1,647 | N/A | N/A | 77.5% | 0.0% |
| Tennille | 1,650 | $29,250 | $91,000 | 10.0% | 31.4% |
| Moody AFB | 1,630 | N/A | N/A | 22.8% | 44.9% |
| Sparta | 1,830 | N/A | $56,400 | 6.6% | 47.0% |
| Ludowici | 1,897 | N/A | $238,600 | 12.4% | 32.8% |
Population Overview
Buena Vista is a small community located in Georgia, within Marion County. The total population is 1,717. It ranks as the 318th most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buena Vista is 37.0 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buena Vista is $28,878. This is 63% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 64% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.9%. This is 168% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.4%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $80,900. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $303,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Buena Vista is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 40.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Buena Vista is Black or African American, making up 68.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 16.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (16.1%) is well below the state average of 49.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (68.5% vs 30.7%).
Education
7.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% lower than the state rate of 34.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 70.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buena Vista, Georgia 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 Georgia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 669 Census-designated places in Georgia. 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, Georgia?
Buena Vista, Georgia has a population of 1,717 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buena Vista, GA?
The median household income in Buena Vista is $28,878, which is 64% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Buena Vista, GA?
The poverty rate in Buena Vista is 35.9%. This means approximately 580 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buena Vista, Georgia?
Buena Vista's population is 16.1% White, 68.5% Black, 10.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buena Vista, GA?
The median home value in Buena Vista is $80,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Buena Vista, Georgia?
7.8% of adults (25+) in Buena Vista hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.