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Buena Vista city
Virginia

7K

Population

$49K

Median Income

$185K

Median Home

R+34

Politics

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What stands out

If you had to describe Buena Vista city in numbers, start here: natural-hazard risk is among the safest in America (1 of 100), home internet speed is in the top 2% of American counties (324 Mbps), and homeownership is in the bottom 5% of American counties (58%). Within Virginia it ranks 3rd of 133 counties for natural-hazard risk, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Buena Vista city, Virginia. 6,639 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +33).

Virginia has a graduated income tax with a 5.75% top rate that begins at just $17,000 of income, so most residents pay near the top rate. It does not tax Social Security and allows an age deduction of up to $12,000 for residents 65 and over. Northern Virginia's federal and defense economy produces incomes closer to the Washington suburbs of Maryland than to the rest of the state. Localities levy annual property tax on vehicles.

Money

The typical household here brings in $48,783 a year, lower than 81% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,168. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 62% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home.

Virginia takes 5.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,548 a year.

Home

The median home costs $188K, cheaper than 68% of American counties, about 2.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $835 a month. Property tax is 0.94% of home value, roughly $1,397 a year on that median home, higher than 56% of American counties. 58% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.5 per 1,000 residents, higher than 82% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 17 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 71.6 years, shorter than 90% of American counties. There are 3 active physicians in the county, about 4.5 per 10,000 people. 7.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.06 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 59% of American counties. 81% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 34 points. 55% of eligible voters turned out. Under Virginia law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 56°F, highs near 68 and lows near 45, warmer than 53% of American counties. About 42 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 1 out of 100, safer than almost every county in America; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 324 Mbps down, faster than 98% of American counties. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.

Written from the figures below. Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure; missing figures are left out rather than guessed.

Economy

Median Household Income$49K
This county
national avg ~$75K
Poverty Rate15.7%
This county
national avg ~11.5%
Unemployment Rate3.1%
This county
national avg ~3.8%
Federal Spending per Capita$33
Median Individual Earnings$30K
This county
national avg $45K
Professional/Management Workers29.4%
Average Adjusted Gross Income$47K
Avg Credit Score668
Work From Home %3.7%
This county
national avg 17.0%
Population Under 1821.4%
This county
national avg 22.0%
Single-Person Households26.0%
This county
national avg 28.0%
Banks & Finance Firms4
Income (20th Percentile)$22K
Income (80th Percentile)$91K
Income (95th Percentile)$147K
Bachelor's Degree or Higher21.5%
This county
national avg 34.3%
Less Than High School18.7%
This county
national avg 11.0%
Dependency Ratio0.65
Education Wage Premium2.84x
Median Earnings (Bachelor's)$51K
Median Earnings (Graduate)$68K
Median Earnings (HS Diploma)$24K
Public Assistance Recipients8.1%
Average Annual Wage$51K
Professional Services Concentration0.83x national
This county
1.0 = national average share
Federal Government Jobs Located Here20
Federal Share of Jobs Located Here0.9%
Residents Who Work for the Federal Government0.2%
Federal Contract Dollars Performed Here (FY2025)$298,782
Contract Dollars Relative to Local Wages0.00x wages
Largest Award's Share of Contract Dollars59%

Housing

Sources: Zillow ZHVI · Census ACS 2022 · Tax Foundation 2023 (effective rates)

Median Home Value$185K
This county
$390K state avg
$303K national
Market Rent (ZORI)$908/mo
This county
$1700/mo state avg
$1400/mo national
Property Tax Rate0.94%
This county
0.74% state avg
1.10% national

Annual tax on median home: $1,397

Affordability & Supply

HUD Fair Market Rent (2BR)$1,005/mo
Home Price Change (1 yr)-6.0%−+22.7% since 2024
Home Value to Income Ratio2.7x income
Severely Cost-Burdened Households16.1%
Homeownership Rate57.7%
This county
national avg ~65%

Market Activity

Sources: Zillow Research monthly · Redfin

Listings with Price Cuts— Low — market moving fast
22.9%
Active Listings
25
New Listings / Month
9

Source: Zillow Research · Updated monthly

Health

Life Expectancy71.6 yrs
This county
national avg ~78.5 years
Food Insecurity14.8%
This county
national avg ~11%
Food Environment Index2.5 / 10
This county
higher = better access
Primary Care Shortage Score13
This county
national avg 5
Mental Health Shortage Score16
Dental Care Shortage Score15
Healthcare Shortage Score14.7
Healthcare Offices6
Obesity Rate (BRFSS)39.0%
This county
national avg 32.0%
Smoking Rate (BRFSS)17.8%
This county
national avg 14.0%
Poor Health Rate (BRFSS)21.6%
This county
national avg 18.0%
Physical Inactivity (BRFSS)27.5%
This county
national avg 24.0%
High Blood Pressure (BRFSS)34.5%
This county
national avg 32.0%
Active Physicians3
Nursing Home Rating2.0 / 5
This county
national avg ~3 stars
ER Visits per 1,000 Medicare Patients640 / 1,000
Medicare Cost per Beneficiary$11,967
Uninsured (under 65)7.4%
This county
national avg ~10%
Adults with Depression27.5%

Education

Reading Test Scores3.06 grade level
HS Diploma Holders1,122
Bachelor's Degree Holders528
HS Completion Rate81.3%
This county
national avg ~85%

Safety

Violent Crime Rate4.5 / 1,000
This county
national avg ~4.0
Social Vulnerability (CDC SVI)50th pct
Drug Overdose Deaths (2024)16.7 / 100K

Climate & Air Quality

Natural Amenity Scale0.6
January Sunshine0.01
January Temperature0.27
Average Temp56°F+2.0% since 2022
Avg High Temp68°F+2.6% since 2022
Avg Low Temp45°F+1.4% since 2022
Annual Precipitation41.9 in/yr-13% since 2022
Avg Storm Events0.8 storms/yr
Avg Annual Storm Damage$2K
Drought Index (2022)0.50
Heating Degree Days4,233 HDD/yr
This county
national avg ~4,500 HDD/yr
Cooling Degree Days1,161 CDD/yr
This county
national avg ~1,200 CDD/yr
Heating Degree Days (1901–2000 Baseline)4,656 HDD/yr
Cooling Degree Days (1901–2000 Baseline)939 CDD/yr
Avg Tornadoes / Year0.0
Avg Flood Events / Year0.0
Avg Hail Events / Year0.2
Avg Hurricane Events / Year0.00
Avg Wildfire Events / Year0.0
Avg Winter Storms / Year0.0
Avg Heat Events / Year0.0
Natural Hazard Risk (FEMA)1 / 100
Community Resilience (FEMA)46 / 100
Federal Disaster Declarations20 since 1953

Outdoor & Recreation

Historic Places (NRHP)6 properties

Internet & Remote Work

Download Speed324 Mbps
This county
national avg ~120 Mbps
Upload Speed163 Mbps
Fixed Internet (Q1 2026)338 Mbps
Mobile Internet (Q1 2026)349 Mbps
Mobile Upload (Q1 2026)13 Mbps
Mobile Latency (Q1 2026)40 ms
Households with 100Mbps+98.3%
This county
national avg 75.0%
Cellular-Only Internet16.1%
This county
national avg 8.0%
Fixed Upload Speed (Q1 2026)159 Mbps

Commute & Transit

Remote Workers112 workers
Public Transit Commuters0 workers
Walk to Work (workers)241 workers
Extreme Commutes (90+ min)11 workers
Walk to Work7.9%

Families & Childcare

Childcare Cost Burden34.2%
This county
national median ~27% of household income
Childcare Centers8.7 per 10K residents

Civic & Community

Voter Turnout54.6%
This county
national avg ~55%
Income Inequality (Gini)4.107
Nonprofit Organizations43
Veterans Share6.0%
This county
national avg 7.0%
Married Adults48.0%
Never-Married Adults28.2%
Divorced Adults18.4%
Religious Organizations8
Asian Population0.5%
Native American Population0.1%
Membership Associations10.6 per 10K residents

Lifestyle & Services

Full-Service Restaurants0.63 per 1K residents
Colleges & Universities1
Grocery Stores3
Professional Services Firms6
Real Estate Firms4
Debt Burden
Avg Mortgage Balance$67K
Avg Student Loan Balance$11K
Avg Credit Card Balance$4K
Loan Delinquency Rate45.7%
This county
national avg 4.0%

Innovation

Inventor Rate0.24%

Politics

R+34

2024 Presidential · Virginia was D+3 statewide

vs Virginia State

Income tax
5.75%Same (state law)
Property tax
0.94%0.74% state avg
Politics
R+34D+3
COL Index
102state index (no county figure)

Population & Migration

Net Domestic Migration 2023

↑ +33

More people arriving than leaving

IRS Wealth Migration

Wealthier people moving in (IRS: 1.10x avg income)

Economic Mobility

37%

chance a low-income child reaches the middle class

Source: Opportunity Insights

Real Estate

Find Homes in Buena Vista city County

Median home value: $188K

View on Zillow →View on Realtor.com →

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Full Virginia profile

Taxes, cost of living, crime, schools, gun laws and more.

View Virginia →

Data: Census ACS, BLS, Zillow, USDA Natural Amenities, OpenElections 2024, CMS, NCES. Vintage 2022–2025. News via Google News.

Your Priorities

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Quick Profiles

Dial in your priorities

Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable