Buena Vista city, Virginia

County Distress Index: Elevated · 61.9 | 6,566 people · 34th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Buena Vista city, VA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 61.9 — 832nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Virginia, it ranks 34th of 133 counties. It scores higher than all 1 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Buena Vista city's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 68.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 68.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 64
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 63
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 67
Homeownership Rate 95
Legal Distress 65.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 66
Structural Poverty 61.0
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 59
Income vs. State Median 87
Child Poverty Rate 52
Disability Rate 72
Transfer Income Dependency 55
Consumer Credit Distress 59.1
Debt in Collections 65
Medical Debt 22
Auto Loan Delinquency 38
Credit Card Delinquency 92
Uninsured Rate 19
Subprime Credit Population 83
Economic Vitality 58.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 37
Rent-to-Income Ratio 62
Business Formation Rate 89
House Price Change (YoY) 95

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Buena Vista city
Buena Vista city, VA 61.9 Elevated —
Rockbridge County, VA 32.5 Healthy -29.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Buena Vista city
La Salle County, TX 62.0 Elevated +0.1
Webster County, GA 62.0 Elevated +0.1
Webster County, MS 61.6 Elevated -0.3
Edwards County, TX 61.5 Elevated -0.3
Menard County, TX 61.4 Elevated -0.4

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Buena Vista city as a CSV file.

Find Help in Buena Vista city

Find an Attorney

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-552-7977

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Buena Vista city residents at no cost.

Virginia Legal Aid Society 540-342-3900
Legal Aid Justice Center 434-977-0553
Legal Services of Northern Virginia 703-778-6800
Virginia Poverty Law Center 804-782-9430
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society 804-648-1012
Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. (866) 534-5243
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (757) 827-5078
Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc. (888) 201-2772

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Buena Vista city, Virginia?

    Buena Vista city has a County Distress Index score of 61.9 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 832nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 34th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Buena Vista city?

    The primary driver of distress in Buena Vista city is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 68.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Buena Vista city compare to neighboring counties?

    Buena Vista city (61.9) can be compared to its 1 neighboring county: Rockbridge County, VA (32.5).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Elevated zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Buena Vista city's score of 61.9 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Buena Vista city's CDI score?

    Buena Vista city's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Buena Vista city?

    Buena Vista city, Virginia has a population of approximately 6,566 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.