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CITY

Altoona

Iowa · 22,796 residents (2025 est.) · 11.867 sq mi
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The short version

Altoona has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $86,114. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 11,150 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $274,600.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.1
US median: 38.9
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 33%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
21,495
+108%since 2000
from 10,345 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,811 / sq mi
+108%since 2000
from 872 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.1
+12%since 2000
from 32.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:22,796 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6K10K14K19K23K1990201020202024Altoona
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$86,114
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,162 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,593
+109%since 2000
from $20,336 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
54.5%
+14.3 ptssince 2009
from 40.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.3%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.391
+2%since 2010
from 0.385 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information17.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services13.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration11.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance6.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade5.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$274,600
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $113,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,235
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $559 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
68.7%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 70.9% in 2000
31.3% rent
Vacancy rate
3.2%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.2%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.9%
+15.2 ptssince 2009
from 31.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.2
+41%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
41
RELATED:See current rent listings in Altoona on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.2%(9,848)
Black0.9%(94)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(171)
Asian0.5%(48)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.5%(779)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.7%(17,569)
Black5.1%(1,106)
Hispanic / Latino6.5%(1,395)
Asian2.1%(452)
Other4.5%(973)
Diversity Score40.3%(8,667)
Diversity Score
40
+435%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.5%
+9.7 ptssince 2000
from 23.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 93.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.4%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.5 min
+98%since 2000
from 11.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.0%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 85.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.7%
−6.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
13.0%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% 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
3.7%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.5%
+3.8 ptssince 2011
from 3.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
70.3%
−9.2 ptssince 2011
from 79.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
43.6%
−22.6 ptssince 2009
from 66.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.4%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
53.6%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
5.0%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.6%
−37.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.0%
+5.6 ptssince 2012
from 8.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.5%
−92.8 ptssince 2013
from 95.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.7%
+10.8 ptssince 2017
from 82.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2016
from 96.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2016
from 2.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Altoona to nearby cities

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ALTOONA VS
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ALTOONA VS
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ALTOONA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Altoona, Iowa?

Altoona, Iowa has about 21,495 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Altoona, Iowa?

The typical household in Altoona, Iowa earns about $86,114 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Altoona, Iowa expensive?

In Altoona, Iowa, the median home is worth about $274,600, and the typical rent is about $1,235 a month.

How educated are people in Altoona, Iowa?

About 33.5% of adults age 25 and over in Altoona, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Altoona, Iowa?

About 8.3% of people in Altoona, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Altoona, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Altoona, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 14,304 residents, a change of about 199 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →