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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Buena Vista County

Iowa · 20,823 residents · 574.899 sq mi
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The short version

Buena Vista County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $54,014. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $120,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,823
+2%since 2000
from 20,411 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
36 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 36 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.7
−2%since 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
19K20K20K21K21K1990201020202024Buena Vista County
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,014
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,300 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,230
+64%since 2000
from $16,042 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
33.4%
+14.5 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade30.7%
US avg: 10%
Information10.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction6.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade4.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$120,300
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$706
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $417 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
70.7%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 70.4% in 2000
29.3% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+19%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buena Vista County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic82.1%(16,758)
Black0.3%(61)
Hispanic / Latino12.5%(2,560)
Asian4.3%(870)
Other0%
Diversity Score37.2%(7,584)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic54.6%(11,377)
Black2.7%(560)
Hispanic / Latino28.5%(5,925)
Asian9.1%(1,889)
Other3.4%(701)
Diversity Score74.5%(15,518)
Segregation Score47.8%(9,963)
Diversity Score
75
+101%since 2000
from 37 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
48
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.8%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 18.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
77.9%
−3.5 ptssince 2000
from 81.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.8 min
+23%since 2000
from 11.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
69.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 69.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.3%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.9%
+2.3 ptssince 2011
from 3.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
69.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 70.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.3%
−33.3 ptssince 2009
from 59.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.6%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Female
50.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Foreign born
21.2%
+7.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.7%
−78.9 ptssince 2013
from 87.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Buena Vista County

Grant County
Pop 18,756
Crawford County
Pop 18,648
Long County
Pop 21,557
Minidoka County
Pop 22,911
Places similar to Buena Vista County
Head to head

Compare Buena Vista County to nearby counties

BUENA VISTA COUNTY VS
Clay County
Income$65,428+21%
Home value$178,600+48%
Population16,202−21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUENA VISTA COUNTY VS
Pocahontas County
Income$61,875+15%
Home value$98,100−18%
Population6,819−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUENA VISTA COUNTY VS
Sac County
Income$73,838+37%
Home value$141,400+18%
Population9,525−53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BUENA VISTA COUNTY VS
Cherokee County
Income$71,269+32%
Home value$158,700+32%
Population11,369−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Buena Vista County, Iowa?

Buena Vista County, Iowa has about 20,823 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Buena Vista County, Iowa?

The typical household in Buena Vista County, Iowa earns about $54,014 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Buena Vista County, Iowa expensive?

In Buena Vista County, Iowa, the median home is worth about $120,300, and the typical rent is about $706 a month.

How educated are people in Buena Vista County, Iowa?

About 20.8% of adults age 25 and over in Buena Vista County, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Buena Vista County, Iowa?

About 10.9% of people in Buena Vista County, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Buena Vista County, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Buena Vista County, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 858 residents, a change of about 4 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

6 census tracts
Census Tract 9604Census Tract 9605Census Tract 9606Census Tract 9603Census Tract 9602Census Tract 9601
8 ZIP codes
ZIP 50588ZIP 51002ZIP 50568ZIP 50585ZIP 50510ZIP 50565ZIP 50576ZIP 50592
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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