Buena Vista city
VA · Pop. 6,612 · Urban County
Buena Vista city sits in Virginia across 6 square miles, home to 6,612 people at 1102 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The median home price is $154,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.94%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.9°F and average winter lows of 23.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital is 5.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.94% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $154,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 41.2 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital, is 5.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 22% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- At 1102 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Buena Vista city, VA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 76/100
- Median home price
- $154k
- Property tax
- 0.94%
- Growing season
- 171 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 41.2"
- Broadband
- 98.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital, 5.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Buena Vista city: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Buena Vista city?
- Buena Vista city is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.9°F, and average winter lows of 23.3°F.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $154,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.94%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital is 5.7 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Virginia Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Virginia
All Virginia countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Buena Vista city by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.