Buena Vista (city), Virginia: Power, Data Centers and the Local Economy
No data center or power plant project is on record in Buena Vista (city), but the national build-out still reaches it through its utility bill, its labor market and the projects next door. Buena Vista (city) is an independent city: it is its own county-equivalent and is not part of any county. Employers here counted 2,302 jobs in 2025, down 13.8% from 2019. Unemployment was 3.8% in August 2026, against 3.0% in 2019. 6,672 people live here, up 0.8% since 2020.
Cities and towns in Buena Vista (city)
Buena Vista (city) is an independent city: it is its own county-equivalent and is not part of any county.
Residents are 2025 Census estimates for the part of each city, town or township inside this county. Census publishes no annual estimate for unincorporated communities.
What changed in Buena Vista (city)
1st = the most. Ranks cover counties with a value on record.
| Measure | Then | Now | Change | Rank in Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2020 → 2025) | 6,616 | 6,672 | ▲ 0.8% | 123rd of 133 by size |
| Total jobs (2019 → 2025) | 2,672 | 2,302 | ▼ 13.8% | 132nd of 133 by growth |
| Average annual pay (2019 → 2025) | $34,529 | $56,925 | ▲ 64.9% | — |
| Unemployment rate (2019 → August 2026) | 3.0% | 3.8% | ▲ 0.8pts | — |
Who powers Buena Vista (city)
No operating power plant is located in Buena Vista (city) in the EIA-860M inventory. Its power comes over the grid from plants elsewhere.
The Buena Vista (city) labor market
| Industry (2025) | Jobs | Average pay | Concentration vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| All industries | 2,302 | $56,925 | 1.00 |
Concentration is the BLS location quotient: 1.0 means the industry holds the same share of local jobs as it does nationally. Industry rows count private employers; cells BLS suppresses are left out.
Data centers and local rules in Buena Vista (city)
No data center, local measure or delayed project is on record in Buena Vista (city). Virginia has 13 local measures on record statewide.
Buena Vista (city) and its neighbors
Of the 1 counties that border Buena Vista (city), Rockbridge County carries the most build-out activity: data centers, planned generation and operating plants combined.
| County | Population | Jobs since 2019 | Operating MW | Planned MW | Data centers | Local measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista (city) | 6,672 | ▼ 13.8% | — | — | — | — |
| Rockbridge County | 22,663 | ▼ 2.1% | 8 MW | — | — | — |
More of Virginia
Buena Vista (city), answered from the record
Are there data centers in Buena Vista (city)?
The SAVRN Data Center Map has no data center in Buena Vista (city).
Is Buena Vista (city) adding jobs?
Employers counted 2,302 jobs in 2025 against 2,672 in 2019 (-13.8%, BLS QCEW).
Does Buena Vista (city) have a data center moratorium?
No county-level measure is on record for Buena Vista (city). Virginia has 13 local measures statewide, listed on the state page.