Buena Vista, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Buena Vista, Michigan had a total population of 5,798, the 163rd largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $41,999, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% 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 | 5,904 | 5,798 | -1.8% |
| Median household income | $38,835 | $41,999 | +8.1% |
| Median home value | $51,800 | $62,000 | +19.7% |
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buena Vista Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Saginaw County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saginaw | 43,536 | $38,579 | 34.0% | $60,000 |
| Freeland | 7,557 | $110,547 | 5.5% | $265,900 |
| Shields | 7,402 | $82,125 | 13.1% | $174,500 |
| Bridgeport | 6,884 | $51,071 | 23.8% | $98,800 |
| Frankenmuth | 5,157 | $85,433 | 4.9% | $300,500 |
| Chesaning | 2,484 | $59,777 | 13.9% | $136,700 |
| St. Charles | 1,934 | $50,000 | 15.3% | $118,500 |
| Zilwaukee | 1,609 | $57,756 | 15.2% | $95,300 |
| Hemlock | 1,529 | $102,188 | 8.4% | $221,800 |
| Birch Run | 1,439 | $70,521 | 13.5% | $191,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dowagiac | 5,732 | $48,166 | $130,800 | 12.4% | 21.4% |
| Houghton Lake | 5,769 | $50,305 | $126,200 | 15.2% | 19.0% |
| Springfield | 5,269 | $44,808 | $110,800 | 11.9% | 19.1% |
| Zeeland | 5,665 | $52,628 | $299,000 | 29.6% | 10.4% |
| Ironwood | 4,997 | $41,250 | $83,100 | 22.9% | 17.0% |
Population Overview
Buena Vista is a small city located in Michigan, within Saginaw County. The total population is 5,798. It ranks as the 163rd most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buena Vista is 40.2 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buena Vista is $41,999. This is 42% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.4%. This is 54% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 8.7%. This is 52% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $62,000. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Buena Vista is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Buena Vista is Black or African American, making up 68.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (11.8%) is well below the state average of 72.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (68.5% vs 13.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (15.3% vs 5.9%).
Education
11.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buena Vista, Michigan 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 Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. 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, Michigan?
Buena Vista, Michigan has a population of 5,798 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buena Vista, MI?
The median household income in Buena Vista is $41,999, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Buena Vista, MI?
The poverty rate in Buena Vista is 20.4%. This means approximately 1,173 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buena Vista, Michigan?
Buena Vista's population is 11.8% White, 68.5% Black, 15.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buena Vista, MI?
The median home value in Buena Vista is $62,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Buena Vista, Michigan?
11.1% of adults (25+) in Buena Vista hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.