COUNTY REPORT VA

Buena Vista County, Virginia

1 ZIP code · Avg score 54/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-04

Water systems serving Buena Vista County's 1 ZIP code record elevated violation rates — residents in affected areas may want to verify their local system's current status.

How Buena Vista County Compares

Buena Vista County54/100
Virginia avg66/100
National avg68/100

How Buena Vista County Compares

D
County Grade
54/100
Avg Safety Score
1
ZIP Codes
4
Water Systems

Buena Vista County scores 12 points below the Virginia state average (66/100) and 14 points below the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04

D
County Grade
54
Avg Safety Score
1
ZIP Codes
Only ZIP: 24416
$159K
Median Home Value
$1,200
Avg Remediation (76% of home value)

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 14 (asthma 11.5%, diabetes 12.9%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $3,490, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.34% avg pipe failure probability

63% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 11.5% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 12.9% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 37% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1973
Median Build Year
63%
Pre-1978 Housing
34%
Pipe Failure Probability
0%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Low
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $3,490

Flood $2,800/yr
Energy Code Gap $540/yr
Water / Lead $150/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

3,976 housing units in Buena Vista County

Pre-1940 9%
1940–1959 21%
1960–1979 26%
1980–1999 30%
2000+ 14%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).

Water Safety Affordability

How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Buena Vista County

$159K
Median Home Value
$1,200
Est. Remediation Cost
0.8%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Buena Vista County, representing a small fraction of property value.

Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.

Health Outcomes vs National Average

CDC PLACES data for Buena Vista County residents

Asthma 11.5% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 12.9% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 37% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 4 systems in Buena Vista County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 City of Buena Vista, 6,566 2
2 City of Lexington, 7,500 2
3 Glasgow, Town of 1,133 2
4 Long Hollow 584 2

All ZIP Codes in Buena Vista County

1 ZIP code tracked in Buena Vista County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 24416 Buena Vista 54 D 2 $159K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Buena Vista County

Editorial-only picks, screened against the EPA detections on file.

Overview

Buena Vista County in Virginia covers 1 ZIP code with an average Home Safety Score of D (54/100).

1 of 1 ZIP code have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

← Back to Virginia water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

What You Can Do

Buena Vista County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.

1

Test your tap water

Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.

2

Consider a certified water filter

NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher

3

Contact your water utility

Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.

4

Check for lead in your home

63% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Buena Vista County?
Buena Vista County receives a grade of D. 0 of 1 ZIP codes have health-based violations. Independent water testing is recommended.
How many water systems serve Buena Vista County?
Buena Vista County is served by 4 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 1 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Buena Vista County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Buena Vista County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $3,490 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Buena Vista County?
The median home build year in Buena Vista County is 1973. 63% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Buena Vista County compare to Virginia?
Buena Vista County has an average water safety score of 54/100, which is below the Virginia state average of 66/100.

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