CensusEasy
CITY · 2020 ACS

Buena Vista

Michigan · 5,855 residents · 3.996 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the Saginaw metro area
Compare
The short version

Buena Vista has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $34,884. Population has fallen 25% since 2000, a loss of 1,990 residents. 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $39,200. The poverty rate of 23.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 41% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 37.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
6% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 23%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,855
−25%since 2000
from 7,845 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
1,465 / sq mi
−25%since 2000
from 1,963 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.9
+15%since 2000
from 33.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
6K6K7K8K8K1990201020202024Buena Vista
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$34,884
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,689 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,264
+28%since 2000
from $14,243 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
8.7%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
23.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 22.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade22.3%
US avg: 10%
Information14.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food3.7%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance3%
US avg: 5.5%
Education & health services2.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Other services1.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical0.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$39,200
−23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$848
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $476 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
52.1%
−19.0 ptssince 2000
from 71.2% in 2000
47.9% rent
Afford Score
1.1
−12%since 2000
from 1.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic13.2%(770)
Black72.6%(4,249)
Hispanic / Latino9.3%(542)
Asian0.2%(13)
Other2%(116)
Diversity Score51.8%(3,034)
Diversity Score
52
−10%since 2000
from 58 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
5.6%
−2.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.6%
+11.5 ptssince 2000
from 74.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 2.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.0 min
+53%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.7%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 77.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
16.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
13.4%
−9.2 ptssince 2011
from 22.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
51.7%
+8.3 ptssince 2011
from 43.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
18.5%
−55.4 ptssince 2009
from 73.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.0%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 41.3% in 2009
Female
55.0%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 58.7% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.2%
−80.3 ptssince 2013
from 85.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Buena Vista

Combee Settlement
Pop 5,242
Fort Pierce North
Pop 7,224
Marianna
Pop 7,289
Lake Panasoffkee
Pop 4,768
Places similar to Buena Vista
Head to head

Compare Buena Vista to nearby cities

BUENA VISTA VS
Saginaw
Income$38,579+11%
Home value$60,000+53%
Population42,863+639%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUENA VISTA VS
Bay City
Income$49,420+42%
Home value$97,600+149%
Population31,868+450%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUENA VISTA VS
Midland
Income$73,325+110%
Home value$203,900+420%
Population42,806+638%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUENA VISTA VS
Beecher
Income$37,515+8%
Home value$51,500+31%
Population8,412+45%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Buena Vista, Michigan?

Buena Vista, Michigan has about 5,855 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Buena Vista, Michigan earns about $34,884 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 $39,200, and the typical rent is about $848 a month.

How educated are people in Buena Vista, Michigan?

About 5.6% 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 23.1% 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 2,311 residents, a change of about -28 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
Michigan
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Buena Vista with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →