United States › Iowa › Altoona CITY · 2020 ACS
Altoona Iowa · 19,565 residents · 11.9 sq mi
Time machine
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The short version
Altoona is home to 19,565 people in Iowa. Since 2000 the city has more than doubled, up 9,220 people. That is roughly 29% ahead of the Iowa median. 4% of residents were born outside the United States. Poverty is uncommon here, at 7.1% of residents. Owners hold 69% of the housing stock.
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 from 32.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
6K 10K 14K 19K 23K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 Altoona Age distribution, 2020
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Section 02
Income & economy $79,482
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,162 in 2000
US average: $66,278
from $20,336 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
from 40.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Public administration 11.9%
Transportation & warehousing 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical 4.4%
Arts, entertainment, food 1.5%
Education & health services 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing 0.6%
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$199,600
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $113,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
$1,027
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $559 in 2000
US average: $1,124
from 70.9% in 2000
31.5% rent
from 2.61 people in 2009
US average: 2.61
from 2.5 in 2009
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 2000
White, non-Hispanic 95.2%(9,848)
Hispanic / Latino 1.7%(171)
2020
White, non-Hispanic 85.2%(16,679)
Hispanic / Latino 4.9%(950)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Ancestry
+ 20 more ancestry groups with data from 23.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
from 93.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06
Commute & transportation from 11.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
from 85.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07
Work & employment from 3.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
from 79.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Women 20-64 in the labor force
US average: 73.3%
from 35.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08
People & community from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
from 4.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Computer in household
US average: 91.9%
Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married 29.7%(2,278)
Women 15+
Never married 29.5%(2,662)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Section 09
Health coverage from 4.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Direct-purchase
US average: 13.7%
VA health care
US average: 2.3%
Any private
US average: 68.1%
Any public
US average: 35.2%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2020
Gulf War (2001 or later) 5%(52)
Gulf War (1990s) 40.6%(420)
Share of the 1,035 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
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Drill deeper
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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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