Buena Vista ZIP Codes — Chaffee County, CO

There is one unique ZIP code in Buena Vista, Colorado and it is 81211. Area code: 719.

ZIP codes

477.68

sq mi land

0.45

sq mi water

719

area code

Buena Vista, CO ZIP code map

About Buena Vista, CO

Buena Vista is a charming town located in central Colorado, known for its stunning mountain vistas and outdoor recreational opportunities. Nestled in Chaffee County, it attracts visitors with its unique blend of small-town charm and access to Colorado's natural beauty. The town serves as a gateway for adventure enthusiasts seeking activities like hiking, biking, and river rafting in the surrounding areas.

Location & geography

Situated at the confluence of the Arkansas River and the surrounding Sawatch Range, Buena Vista is characterized by its breathtaking landscapes. Nearby towns include Salida, located approximately 24 miles to the southwest, and Leadville, roughly 23 miles to the north, offering additional options for exploration. The town encompasses 477.68 square miles of land and features a small water area of 0.45 square miles.

Community & economy

Buena Vista boasts a friendly and close-knit community that values its historical roots and outdoor lifestyle. The local economy is supported by tourism, outdoor recreation, and artisan industries, drawing in visitors year-round for its natural attractions. Daily life here often revolves around enjoying the great outdoors, with residents partaking in various recreational activities and community events.

Transportation

Access to Buena Vista is facilitated by U.S. Highway 24, which runs directly through the town and connects it to other nearby cities. The nearest major airport is located in Colorado Springs, which is approximately 100 miles to the southeast. Public transport options are limited, with local services primarily accommodating residents and visitors traveling within the town.

History

Buena Vista was established in the mid-19th century during the Colorado Gold Rush, attracting prospectors and settlers to the area. Key industries like mining laid the groundwork for the town's growth, while the surrounding natural beauty has since turned tourism into a vital component of its economy. Over the years, Buena Vista has hosted various events that celebrate its rich heritage and outdoor lifestyle.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Buena Vista is that it is home to the iconic Collegiate Peaks, which include some of the highest mountains in Colorado. This scenic area not only serves as a backdrop for outdoor adventures but also attracts photographers and artists drawn to its unique charm.

ZIP codes for Buena Vista, CO (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
81211	Buena Vista	Chaffee	View map

Demographics & statistics

8,007

Population

47.0

Median age

$60,529

Median household income

$33,308

Per capita income

$485,900

Median home value

$1,192

Median monthly rent

63.3%

Home ownership

10.5%

Poverty rate

11.4%

Unemployment

2,886

Housing units

32.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

225

5–9

158

114

10–14

156

15–19

109

330

20–24

231

755

25–34

529

544

35–44

382

544

45–54

382

448

55–59

314

457

60–64

320

599

65–74

420

243

75–84

171

200

85+

141

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	944	11.8%
18 and over	7,063	88.2%
65 and over	1,774	22.2%
Median age	47.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85.5%

Hispanic or Latino 4.6%

Two or more races 4.4%

Black or African American 2.5%

Asian 0.9%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.9%

Other race 0.7%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%

Group	Count	%
White	7,173	85.5%
Hispanic or Latino	383	4.6%
Two or more races	370	4.4%
Black or African American	207	2.5%
Asian	74	0.9%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	74	0.9%
Other race	56	0.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	53	0.6%

Household income

Under $10k 1.4%

$10k–$15k 10.8%

$15k–$25k 2.6%

$25k–$35k 11.9%

$35k–$50k 7.1%

$50k–$75k 28.7%

$75k–$100k 10.5%

$100k–$150k 9.6%

$150k–$200k 10.2%

$200k+ 7.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.4%
$10k–$15k	10.8%
$15k–$25k	2.6%
$25k–$35k	11.9%
$35k–$50k	7.1%
$50k–$75k	28.7%
$75k–$100k	10.5%
$100k–$150k	9.6%
$150k–$200k	10.2%
$200k+	7.3%
Median income	$60,529

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.2%

$100k–$150k 0.2%

$150k–$200k 1.4%

$200k–$300k 14.8%

$300k–$500k 34.4%

$500k–$1M 40.7%

$1M+ 6.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$485,900
Median rent / month	$1,192
Owner occupied	63.3%
Renter occupied	36.7%
Vacant	18.3%
Single-family detached	78.6%
Large apartment buildings	1.0%
Mobile homes	9.8%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	1.95

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.5%
2010–2019	8.2%
2000–2009	23.8%
1990–1999	20.5%
1980–1989	10.1%
1970–1979	11.9%
1960–1969	6.1%
1950–1959	9.0%
1940–1949	1.1%
1939 or earlier	8.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	7.5%
2 bedrooms	27.1%
3 bedrooms	50.7%
4 bedrooms	14.0%
5+ bedrooms	0.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.6%
1 vehicle	17.8%
2 vehicles	43.0%
3 or more	33.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	49.3%
Electricity	15.2%
Propane / LP gas	28.4%
Wood	2.9%
Solar	1.3%
No fuel used	1.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,489	44.2%
Cohabiting couple	273	8.1%
Male householder, no spouse	897	26.7%
Female householder, no spouse	706	21.0%
Households with children under 18	480	14.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,258	37.4%
Average household size	2.00

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	37.4%	21.6%
Married	48.3%	53.9%
Separated	1.4%	0.0%
Widowed	4.3%	9.9%
Divorced	8.6%	14.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.2%

Some HS, no diploma 7.4%

HS graduate 35.1%

Some college, no degree 17.8%

Associate's degree 4.1%

Bachelor's degree 18.7%

Graduate / professional 13.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.4%
Bachelor's or higher	32.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	29	2.9%
Kindergarten	23	2.3%
Elementary school	554	54.9%
High school	213	21.1%
College / grad school	190	18.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 21.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 20.6%

Retail trade 15.1%

Construction 10.1%

Transportation & utilities 6.2%

Finance & real estate 5.9%

Manufacturing 5.4%

Other services 4.8%

Professional & management 4.5%

Public administration 3.9%

Agriculture & mining 0.9%

Wholesale trade 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	34.9%
Service	22.9%
Sales & office	25.5%
Natural resources & construction	12.9%
Production & transportation	3.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.4%
Government	14.0%
Self-employed	8.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.4%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.9%
Carpool	8.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.8

Poverty

All people 10.5%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 12.2%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	41.1%
Retirement income	23.7%
Supplemental Security	6.2%
Cash public assistance	1.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	15.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	29.6%
High cholesterol	32.4%
Heart disease	6.1%
Stroke	2.9%
Asthma	9.4%
Arthritis	25.4%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	6.3%
Cancer	7.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.8%
No physical activity	17.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.6%
Fair or poor health	11.7%
Poor mental health	13.0%
Poor physical health	9.7%
No health insurance	14.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	62.9%
Visited dentist	66.0%
Cholesterol screening	89.9%
Teeth loss	10.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	382	5.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.5%
Under 18	8.4%
18–64 years	11.9%
65 and over	20.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.4%
Public insurance	43.7%
Uninsured under 19	4.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	7,852	98.1%
Spanish	373	4.8%
Other Indo-European	285	3.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	36	0.5%
Other languages	52	0.7%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	7,580	94.7%
Born in same state	7,447	93.0%
Born in different state	2,586	32.3%
Foreign born	133	1.7%
Naturalized citizen	427	5.3%
Not a US citizen	104	24.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	1,102	13.8%
Italian	587	7.3%
Arab	127	1.6%
Polish	97	1.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	93	1.2%
German	38	0.5%
Dutch	38	0.5%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.0%
Internet access	83.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Buena Vista, CO have?

Buena Vista, CO has one ZIP code: 81211. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.