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CITY

Buena Vista

Michigan · 5,798 residents · 3.996 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#66Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-14.1%
The short version

Buena Vista has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $41,999. Population has fallen 26% since 2000, a loss of 2,047 residents. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $62,000. The poverty rate of 20.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 42% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,798
−26%since 2000
from 7,845 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
1,451 / sq mi
−26%since 2000
from 1,963 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.2
+22%since 2000
from 33.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
6K6K7K8K8K1990201020202024Buena Vista
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,999
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,689 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,466
+51%since 2000
from $14,243 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
16.3%
+10.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
20.4%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 22.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.443
+1%since 2010
from 0.436 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information23.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade17.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance2.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services2.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade2.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$62,000
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$906
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $476 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 71.2% in 2000
27.7% rent
Vacancy rate
21.5%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.8%
−20.2 ptssince 2009
from 35.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
70.5%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 72.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.5
+16%since 2000
from 1.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
39
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buena Vista on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic19.4%(1,519)
Black68.6%(5,384)
Hispanic / Latino9.8%(770)
Asian0.2%(13)
Other0%
Diversity Score57.5%(4,513)
2024
White, non-Hispanic11.8%(682)
Black68.5%(3,971)
Hispanic / Latino15.3%(886)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.5%(259)
Diversity Score61.5%(3,564)
Diversity Score
61
+7%since 2000
from 58 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.1%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.4%
+13.3 ptssince 2000
from 74.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 2.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.2 min
+55%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
67.0%
−10.2 ptssince 2009
from 77.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
16.7%
+5.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.1%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.2%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
13.5%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.7%
−13.9 ptssince 2011
from 22.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
46.7%
+3.3 ptssince 2011
from 43.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.4%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.7%
−41.3 ptssince 2009
from 73.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 41.3% in 2009
Female
56.7%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 58.7% in 2009
Foreign born
2.4%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.3%
−32.3 ptssince 2009
from 40.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
30.3%
−2.0 ptssince 2012
from 32.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.5%
−83.0 ptssince 2013
from 85.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.2%
+29.4 ptssince 2017
from 55.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
89.0%
−8.9 ptssince 2016
from 97.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
10.1%
+8.1 ptssince 2016
from 2.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Buena Vista to nearby cities

BUENA VISTA VS
Saginaw
Income$38,579−8%
Home value$60,000−3%
Population42,863+639%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUENA VISTA VS
Bay City
Income$49,420+18%
Home value$97,600+57%
Population31,868+450%
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BUENA VISTA VS
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Income$73,325+75%
Home value$203,900+229%
Population42,806+638%
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BUENA VISTA VS
Beecher
Income$37,515−11%
Home value$51,500−17%
Population8,412+45%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Buena Vista, Michigan?

Buena Vista, Michigan has about 5,798 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Buena Vista, Michigan?

The typical household in Buena Vista, Michigan earns about $41,999 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Buena Vista, Michigan expensive?

In Buena Vista, Michigan, the median home is worth about $62,000, and the typical rent is about $906 a month.

How educated are people in Buena Vista, Michigan?

About 11.1% of adults age 25 and over in Buena Vista, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Buena Vista, Michigan?

About 20.4% of people in Buena Vista, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Buena Vista, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Buena Vista, Michigan has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,368 residents, a change of about -29 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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