Buena Vista County, Iowa
Among the top 9% of US counties for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 39% of US counties
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 47% of US counties
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 47% of US counties
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 91% of US counties
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 56% of US counties
- top 3% for commute time
- top 18% for broadband access
- bottom 12% for amenities nearby
Buena Vista County is a county in Iowa with about 21,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and C for affordability. Standout strengths include commute time, broadband access, and walkability. It rates lower on income tax and amenities nearby.
- The median home value in Buena Vista County is $138k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Buena Vista County is $63k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Buena Vista County is $781 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Buena Vista County has a violent crime rate of 1160/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Buena Vista County is 15 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
freezing
v.cold
cool
comf.
warm
cool
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74%54%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.5 in0.9 in
humid 79%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$63k56th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$45kbetter than 57% of US counties
Home Value$138k37th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$781better than 59% of US counties
Monthly Owner Costs$5kbetter than 61% of US counties
Property Tax Rate1.29%better than 22% of US counties
Income Tax6.00%better than 21% of US counties
Sales Tax6.94%better than 70% of US counties
Estimated total tax burden11.14%better than 23% of US counties
Unemployment5.0%better than 44% of US counties
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)17°F8th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)73°F25th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation33.6 in30th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall35.2 inbetter than 24% of US counties
Sunny Days226 daysbetter than 37% of US counties
Summer Humidity63°Fbetter than 62% of US counties
Comfortable Days87 daysbetter than 71% of US counties
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk39.3better than 59% of US counties
School Quality56.0better than 53% of US counties
Violent Crime1160/100kbetter than 28% of US counties
Property Crime842/100kbetter than 53% of US counties
Community
Population20,68743rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age35.610th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.5180th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0578th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+2636th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)55.5%19th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)2.9%56th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)26.9%89th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)10.2%98th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.4%71st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time15 minbetter than 97% of US counties
Walkability7.0/20better than 75% of US counties
Airport Distance106 mibetter than 45% of US counties
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access88.7%better than 82% of US counties
Amenities Nearby0.00better than 12% of US counties
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 71% of US counties
Data sources
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Frequently asked questions
- Is Buena Vista County an affordable place to live?
- Buena Vista County is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $45k, better than 57% of comparable areas. Median rent is $781.
- Is Buena Vista County safe?
- Buena Vista County is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1160/100k (better than 28%). Property crime is 842/100k.
- What is the weather like in Buena Vista County?
- Buena Vista County averages 73°F in July and 17°F in January, with 33.6 in of annual precipitation and about 226 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Buena Vista County?
- Public-school quality in Buena Vista County is about average, scoring better than 53% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Buena Vista County?
- The average one-way commute in Buena Vista County is 15 min.