Buchanan was founded in 1856 as seat of the newly formed Haralson County.

It was named for United States President James Buchanan.

Buchanan is located just east of the center of Haralson County at 33°48′6″N 85°11′1″W / 33.80167°N 85.18361°W / 33.80167; -85.18361 (33.801726, -85.183506).

[5] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 938 people, 436 households, and 274 families residing in the city.

There were 380 housing units at an average density of 257.9 per square mile (99.6/km2).

33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.