County population in 2014: 20,578 (56% urban, 44% rural); it was 20,411 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 2,990 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 2,286 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 5,289 Renter-occupied apartments: 2,246 (it was 2,210 in 2000)
% of renters here:
29%
State:
28%
Land area: 575 sq. mi.
Water area: 5.3 sq. mi.
Population density: 36 people per square mile (low).
Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Buena Vista County: 84.1 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Estimated median household income in 2013: $46,469 ($35,300 in 1999)
This county:
$46469
Iowa:
$52229
Median contract rent in 2013 for apartments: $475 (lower quartile is $379, upper quartile is $583)
This county:
$475
State:
$554
Estimated median house or condo value in 2013: $99,744 (it was $65,900 in 2000)
Buena Vista:
$99,744
Iowa:
$126,900
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $64,219 - $164,902 Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $947 Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $402
Institutionalized population: 268
Crime in 2005 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
Murders: 0
Rapes: 0
Robberies: 0
Assaults: 6
Burglaries: 33
Thefts: 54
Auto thefts: 5
Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
Murders: 1
Rapes: 3
Robberies: 0
Assaults: 4
Burglaries: 25
Thefts: 66
Auto thefts: 3
Single-family new house construction building permits:
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2013: $1,335 (1.3%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2013: $1,285 (1.4%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2013: 12.1%
(10.4% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 51.7% for Black residents, 17.0% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 25.0% for American Indian residents, 54.2% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 19.4% for other race residents, 13.3% for two or more races residents)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2013: 11.9%
Buena Vista County:
11.9%
Iowa:
12.7%
(10.4% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 49.9% for Black residents, 15.7% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 25.0% for American Indian residents, 54.2% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 21.1% for other race residents, 12.0% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2013: 36 years old
(Males: 35 years old, Females: 37 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 47 years old, Black residents: 20 years old, American Indian residents: 82 years old, Asian residents: 28 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 22 years old, Other race residents: 25 years old)
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Buena Vista County is $391 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $512 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $614 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Buena Vista County: Lizard (A), Rubens (B), Shirley (C), Learned (D), Buda (E), Colfax Township Hall (F), Buda (G), Hamms Bridge Access (H), Fonda Golf Course (I), Laurens Golf and Country Club (J), Cora (K), Lizard Lake Access (L), Wiegert Prairie Farmstead (M), Lizard Township Hall (N). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Buena Vista County include: Trinity Church (A), Elfsborg Church (B), Evangelical Covenant Church (C), Faith Lutheran Church (D), Saint Johns Church (E). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Palmer Cemetery (1), Old Rolfe Cemetery (2), Clinton-Garfield Cemetery (3), Powhatan Cemetery (4), Sacred Heart Cemetery (5), Saint Columbkille's Cemetery (6), Saint Johns Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Creeks: Beaver Creek (A), Pilot Creek (B), Little Cedar Creek (C), North Branch Lizard Creek (D), Crooked Creek (E). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Buena Vista County include: Sunken Grove State Game Management Area (1), Lizard Lake County Park (2), Lizard Lake Access (3), Coopers Cove County Park (4), Little Clear Lake Park (5), Meredith Park (6), Pocahontas Statue (7), Tiernan Homestead Natural Area (8), Lizzard Creek Wildlife Area (9). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 1,449 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 81.3% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 18.7%
Number of foreign born residents: 2,541 (23% naturalized citizens)
Buena Vista County:
12.4%
Whole state:
3.1%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 902
1990 to 1994: 530
1985 to 1989: 546
1980 to 1984: 297
1975 to 1979: 105
1970 to 1974: 85
1970 to 1974: 24
1965 to 1969: 52
Mean travel time to work (commute): 14.9 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 85.5%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 6,498
One, attached: 115
Two: 221
3 or 4: 427
5 to 9: 300
10 to 19: 89
20 or more: 163
Mobile homes: 332
Housing units in Buena Vista County with a mortgage: 2,394 (168 second mortgage, 230 home equity loan, 0 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 1,874
Here:
0.0% with mortgage
State:
62.8% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Buena Vista County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Mainline Protestant
5,253
23
Evangelical Protestant
3,878
21
Catholic
3,194
2
Other
338
2
None
7,597
-
Buena Vista County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 5
Buena Vista County:
2.55 / 10,000 pop.
State:
2.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 1
Here:
0.51 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:
0.23 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 12
Buena Vista County:
6.13 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:
5.55 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 19
This county:
9.70 / 10,000 pop.
State:
8.01 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Buena Vista County:
8.3%
Iowa:
7.8%
Adult obesity rate:
Buena Vista County:
28.2%
State:
27.3%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
18.4%
State:
14.5%
Agriculture in Buena Vista County:
Average size of farms: 414 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $257,862 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $259.62 The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 62.70% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $193,540 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 89.45% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $124,771 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 86.42% Average age of principal farm operators: 53 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 6.28 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 0.90% Corn for grain: 155329 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 144212 harvested acres
Tornado activity:
Buena Vista County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Iowa state average. It is 1511786.9 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 3 fatalities and 43 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 6/28/1979, a category 4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado killed 3 people and injured 26 people and caused between $500 and $5000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Buena Vista County-area historical earthquake activity is slightly above Iowa state average. It is 77% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 7/9/1975 at 14:54:15, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 208.7 miles away from Buena Vista County center On 3/4/1983 at 06:32:18, a magnitude 4.6 (4.4 MB, 4.6 LG, 4.4 ML) earthquake occurred 237.2 miles away from the county center On 11/3/2002 at 20:41:56, a magnitude 4.3 (4.3 MB, 4.3 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 190.0 miles away from the county center On 6/5/1993 at 01:24:53, a magnitude 4.1 (4.1 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 212.1 miles away from the county center On 2/6/1996 at 15:10:28, a magnitude 3.6 (3.6 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 122.3 miles away from Buena Vista County center On 10/25/1990 at 06:25:25, a magnitude 3.9 (3.6 MB, 3.9 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 182.9 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML)
Most recent natural disasters:
IowaSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds, Incident Period: April 9, 2011 to April 10, 2011, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1977): May 5, 2011, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1977, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Wind
IowaSevere Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, Incident Period: June 1, 2010 to August 31, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1930): July 29, 2010, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1930, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
IowaSevere Winter Storms, Incident Period: January 19, 2010 to January 26, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1880): March 2, 2010, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1880, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
IowaSevere Winter Storms and Snowstorm, Incident Period: December 23, 2009 to December 27, 2009, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1877): February 25, 2010, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1877, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm
IowaSnow, Incident Period: February 28, 2007 to March 2, 2007, Emergency Declared (EM-3275): March 30, 2007, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3275, Natural disaster type: Snow
IowaHurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 1, 2005, Emergency Declared (EM-3239): September 10, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3239, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
IowaSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, Incident Period: May 19, 2004 to June 24, 2004, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1518): May 25, 2004, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1518, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
IowaSevere Weather, Tornadoes and Flooding, Incident Period: June 13, 1998 to July 15, 1998, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1230): July 2, 1998, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1230, Natural disaster type: Tornado, Flood
IowaFlooding, Severe Storm, Incident Period: April 13, 1993 to October 1, 1993, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-996): July 9, 1993, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-996, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
IowaIce Storm, Incident Period: October 31, 1991 to November 29, 1991, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-928): December 26, 1991, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-928, Natural disaster type: Ice Storm
3 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Buena Vista County (13) is near the US average (12). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 11 Emergencies Declared: 2
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 7, Storms: 4, Tornadoes: 4, Winter Storms: 2, Heavy Rain: 1, Hurricane: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Snow: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Wind: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (6%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (5%)
Production occupations (19%)
Office and administrative support occupations (18%)
Sales and related occupations (10%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (10%)
Education, training, and library occupations (9%)
Personal care and service occupations (6%)
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (5%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
Mexico (54%)
Laos (20%)
Vietnam (5%)
Honduras (4%)
Canada (3%)
Guatemala (2%)
Philippines (2%)
Most common first ancestries reported in Buena Vista County (%):
German (37%)
Swedish (6%)
United States or American (6%)
Norwegian (6%)
Irish (5%)
English (5%)
Danish (3%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 6,958 (72%)
Carpooled: 1,158 (12%)
Bus or trolley bus: 21 (0%)
Motorcycle: 4 (0%)
Bicycle: 40 (0%)
Walked: 748 (8%)
Other means: 74 (1%)
Worked at home: 640 (7%)
Owners and renters by unit type in %
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders ($)
People in group quarters in Buena Vista County, Iowa in 2000:
942 people in college dormitories (includes college quarters off campus)
297 people in nursing homes
60 people in hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill
45 people in hospices or homes for chronically ill
45 people in homes for the mentally retarded
21 people in other group homes
15 people in other hospitals or wards for chronically ill
11 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
5 people in homes for the mentally ill
People in group quarters in Buena Vista County, Iowa in 2010:
730 people in college/university student housing
215 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
25 people in residential treatment centers for juveniles (non-correctional)
20 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
16 people in group homes intended for adults
8 people in mental (psychiatric) hospitals and psychiatric units in other hospitals
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2010 was $51,819.
6.33% of this county's 2011 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2010 ($26,745 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
6.33%
Iowa average:
5.75%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
2.92% relocated from other counties in Iowa ($13,325 average AGI)
3.42% relocated from other states ($13,418 average AGI)
Buena Vista County:
3.42%
Iowa average:
2.41%
Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2010 and 2011:
7.65% of this county's 2010 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2011 ($30,294 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
7.65%
Iowa average:
5.94%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
3.95% relocated to other counties in Iowa ($17,739 average AGI)
3.70% relocated to other states ($12,554 average AGI)
Buena Vista County:
3.70%
Iowa average:
2.60%
Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2010 and 2011:
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Buena Vista County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 3,368 (3,051 aged, 317 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 413 (8%)
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Aged persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Disabled persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Most common underlying causes of death in Buena Vista County, Iowa in 1999 - 2014:
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (140)
Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (136)
Alzheimer's disease, unspecified (100)
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, so described (95)
Pneumonia, unspecified (87)
Colon, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (82)
Unspecified diabetes mellitus, without complications (64)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 12% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 7%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 4.96 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 9198.250 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 208.370 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 36222.46
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1454.020 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 918.070 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 9.93
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 51.4 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 59.55
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 4.96
Household type by relationship:
Households: 19,246
In family households: 16,269 (3,953 male householders, 1,074 female householders)
4,047 spouses, 5,591 children (5,190 natural, 142 adopted, 259 stepchildren), 305 grandchildren, 205 brothers or sisters, 155 parents, 318 other relatives, 496 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 2,977 (1,193 male householders (969 living alone)), 1,302 female householders (1,183 living alone)), 482 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 1,014 (268 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 2,380 2-persons, 887 3-persons, 814 4-persons, 493 5-persons, 242 6-persons, 211 7-or-more-persons.
3,858 married couples with children.
946 single-parent households (264 men, 682 women).
83.4% of residents of Buena Vista County speak English at home.
11.1% of residents speak Spanish at home (36% speak English very well, 21% speak English well, 30% speak English not well, 14% don't speak English at all).
1.2% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (69% speak English very well, 18% speak English well, 9% speak English not well, 4% don't speak English at all).
4.1% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (33% speak English very well, 36% speak English well, 20% speak English not well, 10% don't speak English at all).
0.1% of residents speak other language at home (100% speak English very well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $114,299,000 ($5671 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $1,832,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $47,094,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $27,322,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $16,282,000 Federal grants: $14,493,000 Federal procurement contracts: $1,026,000 ($12,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $8,083,000 ($985,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $3,126,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $5,566,000 Federal Government insurance: $73,086,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 1,268
Here:
63 per 1000 residents
State:
66 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 953
Here:
47 per 1000 residents
State:
48 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +791
Here:
+39 per 1000 residents
State:
+10 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -1,328
Here:
-66 per 1000 residents
State:
-14 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Buena Vista County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 3.79 millions of gallons per day (all from ground)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.5
State:
6.3
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.4
State:
4.2
Year house built
2005 or later: 82
2000 to 2004: 398
1990 to 1999: 966
1980 to 1989: 427
1970 to 1979: 1,109
1960 to 1969: 1,070
1950 to 1959: 881
1940 to 1949: 665
1939 or earlier: 2,618
Rooms in houses/apartments in Buena Vista County, Iowa
59% of Buena Vista County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 48% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 50% lived in Iowa.
Buena Vista County:
58.6%
State average:
57.7%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 14182
Northeast: 185
Midwest: 1980
South: 521
West: 905
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $24,400
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 1%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 2%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Buena Vista County
Click here to upload your Buena Vista County photos (outside city limits)
37.0 years
38.0 years
(50.1%)
(49.9%)
, Delaware County 
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.
