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CITY · 2020 ACS

Altoona

Iowa · 19,565 residents · 11.867 sq mi
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The short version

Altoona is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $79,482. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 89% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $199,600. Households here earn about 29% more than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.7
US median: 38.8
Average education
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,565
+89%since 2000
from 10,345 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,649 / sq mi
+89%since 2000
from 872 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.7
+14%since 2000
from 32.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
6K10K14K19K23K1990201020202024Altoona
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$79,482
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,162 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,066
+68%since 2000
from $20,336 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
53.3%
+13.1 ptssince 2009
from 40.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
7.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services13.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration11.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade8.1%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing5.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Wholesale trade5.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$199,600
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $113,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,027
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $559 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
68.5%
−2.4 ptssince 2000
from 70.9% in 2000
31.5% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+11%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic85.2%(16,679)
Black3.9%(768)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(950)
Asian1.7%(333)
Other3.3%(642)
Diversity Score31.7%(6,196)
Diversity Score
32
+320%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
28.9%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 23.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 93.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.3%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+93%since 2000
from 11.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
86.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 85.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.2%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2011
from 3.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
71.1%
−8.4 ptssince 2011
from 79.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
38.4%
−27.7 ptssince 2009
from 66.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.3%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
52.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
4.1%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.8%
−93.5 ptssince 2013
from 95.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Altoona to nearby cities

ALTOONA VS
Pleasant Hill
Income$90,508+14%
Home value$295,100+48%
Population11,239−51%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALTOONA VS
Bondurant
Income$135,674+71%
Home value$318,800+60%
Population9,647−58%
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ALTOONA VS
Des Moines
Income$65,932−17%
Home value$194,700−2%
Population212,086+830%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALTOONA VS
Ankeny
Income$108,198+36%
Home value$331,000+66%
Population77,833+241%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Altoona, Iowa?

Altoona, Iowa has about 19,565 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Altoona, Iowa?

The typical household in Altoona, Iowa earns about $79,482 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 $199,600, and the typical rent is about $1,027 a month.

How educated are people in Altoona, Iowa?

About 28.9% 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 7.1% 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 12,374 residents, a change of about 172 percent over that period.

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

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