Buena Vista County Demographics

A map of Buena Vista County's Population by Race

Buena Vista County, Iowa has an estimated population of 20,753, a less than 1% change from the 20,823 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 52.1% White, 29.4% Hispanic, 9.5% Asian, 3.4% Native American/Other, 3.3% Black, and 2.4% Multiracial. This demographic dot map shows the population of Buena Vista County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Buena Vista has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Iowa overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Buena Vista County, that probability was 61.0% in 2020 and 63.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Buena Vista County is ranked the 30th most populous county in Iowa, out of 99 counties. Buena Vista County was ranked the 29th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Buena Vista County's White Population

10,808 residents of Buena Vista County, or 52.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Buena Vista County is significantly lower than in Iowa overall, where 82.3% of the population is White. Buena Vista County ranks 99th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buena Vista County's White population has declined by an estimated 5.0%. White residents' share of Buena Vista County's population has decreased from 54.6% to 52.1%.

Buena Vista County is less White than neighboring Clay County (91.1% White), Sac County (91.8% White), Pocahontas County (88.6% White), Cherokee County (88.6% White), and Ida County (91.5% White).

Buena Vista County's Black Population

679 residents of Buena Vista County, or 3.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Buena Vista County is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Buena Vista County ranks 13th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buena Vista County's Black population has grown by an estimated 21.3%. Black residents' share of Buena Vista County's population has increased from 2.7% to 3.3%.

Buena Vista County is more Black than neighboring Clay County (0.3% Black), Sac County (0.5% Black), Pocahontas County (0.7% Black), Cherokee County (1% Black), and Ida County (0.3% Black).

Buena Vista County's Asian Population

1,963 residents of Buena Vista County, or 9.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Buena Vista County is higher than in Iowa overall, where 2.5% of the population is Asian. Buena Vista County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buena Vista County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 3.9%. Asian residents' share of Buena Vista County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 9.5%.

Buena Vista County is more Asian than neighboring Clay County (0.8% Asian), Sac County (0.4% Asian), Pocahontas County (0.2% Asian), Cherokee County (0.4% Asian), and Ida County (0.7% Asian).

Buena Vista County's Hispanic Population

6,094 residents of Buena Vista County, or 29.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Buena Vista County is significantly higher than in Iowa overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Buena Vista County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buena Vista County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Buena Vista County's population has increased from 28.5% to 29.4%.

Buena Vista County is more Hispanic than neighboring Clay County (4.7% Hispanic), Sac County (4.4% Hispanic), Pocahontas County (5.8% Hispanic), Cherokee County (5.4% Hispanic), and Ida County (4.1% Hispanic).

Buena Vista County's Native American/Other Population

707 residents of Buena Vista County, or 3.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Buena Vista County is slightly higher than in Iowa overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Buena Vista County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buena Vista County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 1.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Buena Vista County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.4%.

Buena Vista County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Clay County (0.2% Native American/Other), Sac County (0.5% Native American/Other), Pocahontas County (0.9% Native American/Other), Cherokee County (0.2% Native American/Other), and Ida County (0.2% Native American/Other).

Buena Vista County's Multiracial Population

502 residents of Buena Vista County, or 2.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Buena Vista County is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Buena Vista County ranks 95th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buena Vista County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 42.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Buena Vista County's population has increased from 1.7% to 2.4%.

Buena Vista County is less Multiracial than neighboring Clay County (2.9% Multiracial), Pocahontas County (3.9% Multiracial), Cherokee County (4.5% Multiracial), and Ida County (3.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.