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CITY

Alta Vista

Iowa · 216 residents (2025 est.) · 0.752 sq mi
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The short version

Alta Vista has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $44,500. Population has fallen 32% since 2000, a loss of 92 residents. 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $68,200. Households here earn about 41% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
4% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 5%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
194
−32%since 2000
from 286 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
258 / sq mi
−32%since 2000
from 380 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.8
+23%since 2000
from 34.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:216 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1542042553053551990201020202024Alta Vista
2024194
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,500
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,786 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,798
+113%since 2000
from $15,378 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
26.0%
+18.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.9%
−1.0 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.387
+8%since 2010
from 0.357 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade31.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information10.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance8.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services2.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$68,200
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$640
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $257 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
69.0%
−10.2 ptssince 2000
from 79.2% in 2000
31.0% rent
Vacancy rate
5.7%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.7%
+11.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
19.4%
−19.1 ptssince 2009
from 38.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.5
+4%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
22
RELATED:See current rent listings in Alta Vista on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic100%(286)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic85.6%(166)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino14.4%(28)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score30.9%(60)
Diversity Score
31
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
4.4%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
81.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 80.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.4 min
+57%since 2000
from 20.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
60.3%
−16.5 ptssince 2009
from 76.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
18.3%
+11.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
9.9%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.0%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.8%
−2.8 ptssince 2011
from 3.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
79.5%
+17.7 ptssince 2011
from 61.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
3.1%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
16.0%
−44.7 ptssince 2009
from 60.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.7%
+14.8 ptssince 2009
from 40.9% in 2009
Female
44.3%
−14.8 ptssince 2009
from 59.1% in 2009
Foreign born
14.4%
+14.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.9%
−42.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2012
from 16.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
12.4%
−78.6 ptssince 2013
from 91.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
74.0%
+5.1 ptssince 2017
from 68.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
84.4%
−15.2 ptssince 2016
from 99.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
15.1%
+14.7 ptssince 2016
from 0.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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ALTA VISTA VS
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ALTA VISTA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Alta Vista, Iowa?

Alta Vista, Iowa has about 194 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Alta Vista, Iowa?

The typical household in Alta Vista, Iowa earns about $44,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Alta Vista, Iowa expensive?

In Alta Vista, Iowa, the median home is worth about $68,200, and the typical rent is about $640 a month.

How educated are people in Alta Vista, Iowa?

About 4.4% of adults age 25 and over in Alta Vista, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Alta Vista, Iowa?

About 12.9% of people in Alta Vista, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Alta Vista, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Alta Vista, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 44 residents, a change of about -18 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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