Buena Vista ( ) is a city in Marion County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area. The population was 1,585 at the 2020 census, 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. New Georgia Encyclopedia, retrieved 20 Aug 2012. The city is the county seat of Marion County. It is the birthplace of baseball legend Josh Gibson and Medal of Honor recipient Luther H. Story.

History Buena Vista was first settled in 1818 by settlers from Georgia. A postal office was established in 1837, and it was incorporated as a town. In 1850, the seat of Marion County was transferred to Buena Vista from Tazewell. Buena Vista was incorporated as a city in 1891, and again in 1920. In 1906, a major fire destroyed much of Buena Vista, however it was rebuilt with brick soon after. Following the fire, the town received an influx of European immigrants.

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 to Cusseta and southeast to Ellaville, while SR 41 leads north to Geneva and south to Preston. State Route 137 leads northeast to Tazewell and west-northwest to Union.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Buena Vista has a total area of , of which , or 1.68%, are water. 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

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Buena Vista had a population of 1,585. The median age was 37.9 years. 25.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 87.4 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 601 households in Buena Vista, of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 24.5% were married-couple households, 24.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 47.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 478 families residing in the city.

There were 717 housing units, of which 16.2% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.7%.

+Buena Vista racial composition as of 2020RaceNum.Perc.White (non-Hispanic)31720.0%Black or African American (non-Hispanic)97061.2%Native American10.06%Asian80.5%Other/Mixed171.07%Hispanic or Latino27217.16% 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).Georgia Board of Education, Retrieved June 23, 2010. The district has 108 full-time teachers and over 1,686 students.School Stats, Retrieved June 23, 2010. L. K. Moss Primary School Marion County Middle High School The Marion County School District is in the process of opening a new middle/high school. The 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 Josh Gibson, Negro leagues baseball player and Hall of Famer Roosevelt Jackson, oldest living Negro leagues baseball player (minor leagues only) Eddie Owens Martin, creator of Pasaquan Luther H. Story, Korean War Medal of Honor recipient

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