Buena Vista, Georgia

Buena Vista (/ˌbjuːnə ˈvɪstə/ BEW-nə VIS-tə) is a city in Marion County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,585 at the 2020 census,[2] down from 2,173 in 2010. Formerly known as "Pea Ridge", the city changed its name to Buena Vista in honor of Zachary Taylor's victory in the Mexican–American War.[5][6] The city is the county seat of Marion County.[7] It is the birthplace of baseball legend Josh Gibson and Medal of Honor recipient Luther H. Story.

Buena Vista, Georgia
City
Buena Vista in 2012
Buena Vista in 2012
Location in Marion County and the state of Georgia
Location in Marion County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 32°19′6″N 84°30′58″W
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyMarion
Area
[1]
 • Total3.27 sq mi (8.48 km2)
 • Land3.22 sq mi (8.34 km2)
 • Water0.06 sq mi (0.14 km2)
Elevation
719 ft (219 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total1,585
 • Density492.39/sq mi (190.11/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
31803
Area code229
FIPS code13-11728[3]
GNIS feature ID0354903[4]

History

Buena Vista was founded in 1830. In 1850, the seat of Marion County was transferred to Buena Vista from Tazewell. Buena Vista was incorporated as a town in 1850 and as a city in 1920.[8]

Geography

Buena Vista is in central Marion County in western Georgia. Georgia State Routes 26 and 41 cross in the center of town. SR 26 leads west 16 miles (26 km) to Cusseta and southeast 14 miles (23 km) to Ellaville, while SR 41 leads north 19 miles (31 km) to Geneva and south 19 miles (31 km) to Preston. State Route 137 leads northeast 6 miles (10 km) to Tazewell and west-northwest 7 miles (11 km) to Union.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Buena Vista has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2), of which 0.06 square miles (0.16 km2), or 1.68%, are water.[1] The city is part of the Flint River watershed. Sitting atop a ridge, it is drained by three separate stream systems. To the northeast is Oochee Creek, an east-flowing tributary of Buck Creek, which runs to the Flint River at Montezuma. The southeast part of the city drains to Muckalee Creek, which joins the Flint River at Albany. The west side of Buena Vista drains to Peacock Ditch, a tributary of Kinchafoonee Creek, which joins Muckalee Creek at Albany.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850530—
1870525—
18805290.8%
189078849.0%
19001,16147.3%
19101,016−12.5%
19201,23021.1%
19301,097−10.8%
19401,1615.8%
19501,42823.0%
19601,57410.2%
19701,486−5.6%
19801,5443.9%
19901,472−4.7%
20001,66413.0%
20102,17330.6%
20201,585−27.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

2020 census
Buena Vista racial composition[10]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 317 20.0%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 970 61.2%
Native American 1 0.06%
Asian 8 0.5%
Other/Mixed 17 1.07%
Hispanic or Latino 272 17.16%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,585 people, 722 households, and 478 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,664 people, 645 households, and 377 families residing in the city. The population density was 512.9 inhabitants per square mile (198.0/km2). There were 756 housing units at an average density of 233.0 per square mile (90.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 63.40% African American, 25.84% White, 0.18% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.30% Pacific Islander, 8.59% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.91% of the population.

There were 645 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.4% were married couples living together, 26.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.0% under the age of 18, 13.0% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $17,672, and the median income for a family was $21,738. Males had a median income of $19,306 versus $17,017 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,406. About 28.6% of families and 34.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.3% of those under age 18 and 32.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Marion County School District serves pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of one primary school (grades: pre-k through 5th) and a middle/high school (grades: 6th-12th).[11] The district has 108 full-time teachers and over 1,686 students.[12]

  • L. K. Moss Primary School
  • Marion County Middle High School—www.marion.k12.ga.us

The Marion County School District is in the process of opening a new middle/high school. The 146,000-square-foot (13,600 m2) structure will sit on 200 acres of land in the middle of the county and is scheduled to open for the 2012–13 school year.

Infrastructure

The city is served by Georgia State Route 26, Georgia State Route 41, and Georgia State Route 137.

Notable people

References
  1. "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  2. "P1. Race – Buena Vista city, Georgia: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 28. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  6. New Georgia Encyclopedia, retrieved 20 Aug 2012.
  7. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  8. Hellmann, Paul T. (May 13, 2013). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 221. ISBN 978-1135948597. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  11. Georgia Board of Education, Retrieved June 23, 2010.
  12. School Stats, Retrieved June 23, 2010.
  13. "Oldest Living Member of the Negro Leagues Honored". Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. July 24, 2011.
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