Buena Vista, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Buena Vista, Virginia had a total population of 6,593, the 178th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $57,833, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
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 | 6,612 | 6,593 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $54,458 | $57,833 | +6.2% |
| Median home value | $153,500 | $156,200 | +1.8% |
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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Buena Vista Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ettrick | 5,910 | $58,137 | $211,200 | 26.0% | 12.9% |
| Sandston | 7,399 | $59,238 | $219,900 | 12.7% | 13.9% |
| Strasburg | 7,214 | $62,464 | $269,100 | 16.9% | 7.5% |
| Collinsville | 7,139 | $52,158 | $146,700 | 24.9% | 16.3% |
| Bridgewater | 6,708 | $75,280 | $384,700 | 46.7% | 6.3% |
Population Overview
Buena Vista is a small city located in Virginia. The total population is 6,593. It ranks as the 178th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buena Vista is 35.9 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buena Vista is $57,833. This is 38% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.8%. This is 90% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $156,200. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $383,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Buena Vista is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Buena Vista is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 2.0%. The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
23.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buena Vista, Virginia 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 Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. 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, Virginia?
Buena Vista, Virginia has a population of 6,593 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buena Vista, VA?
The median household income in Buena Vista is $57,833, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Buena Vista, VA?
The poverty rate in Buena Vista is 18.8%. This means approximately 1,148 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buena Vista, Virginia?
Buena Vista's population is 84.7% White, 2.0% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buena Vista, VA?
The median home value in Buena Vista is $156,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Buena Vista, Virginia?
23.3% of adults (25+) in Buena Vista hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.