BUENA VISTA, VIRGINIA

'Buena Vista', pronounced [bunna vista], is an independent city located within the confines of Rockbridge County in the state of Virginia. The population was 6,349 at the 2000 census. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Buena Vista (along with Lexington) with Rockbridge county for statistical purposes. A sign on a building in downtown Buena Vista states the population as "6002 happy citizens and 3 old grouches". [1]

Contents

Geography

Demographics

Education

External links

Geography

Buena Vista is located at (37.732184, -79.353325). The Maury River bisects Buena Vista, with the city proper to the east and Glen Maury Park to the west.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.7 km² (6.8 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,349 people, 2,547 households, and 1,749 families residing in the city. The population density was 358.9/km² (929.5/mi²). There were 2,716 housing units at an average density of 153.5/km² (397.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.56% White, 4.80% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,547 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,410, and the median income for a family was $39,449. Males had a median income of $28,921 versus $21,029 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,377. About 8.2% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Buena Vista is home to a small private university called Southern Virginia University. Fall 2006 enrollment is about 755 full-time students. [2] The university is organized primarily for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although it is not owned or operated by the church, nor does it have any official affiliation with the church. Students adhere to a strict honor code including dress and moral standards. In August 2006 The Christian group the Intercollegiate Studies Institute named Southern Virginia University as one of the institutions to be featured in their upcoming book ''50 All-American Colleges''. According to ISI’s press release, "All-American Colleges provides personal, in-depth profiles of fifty highly recommended schools and programs ... Southern Virginia University is featured among the exclusive group..." [3] [4]

External links

★ City of Buena Vista

★ City of Buena Vista, Economic Development