Altoona, Iowa

Altoona: City in Polk County, Iowa, United States

About

Altoona is a city located in the county of Polk in the U.S. state of Iowa. Its population at the 2010 census was 14,541 and a population density of 598 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 19,503 inhabitants.

The city was created 148 years ago in 1875.

Altoona is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States, and is a part of the Des Moines metropolitan area. The population was 19,565 at the 2020 census. Altoona is home of the Adventureland amusement park and Prairie Meadows horse racing track and casino. The city's slogan is "Where the Prairie Meets the Park".

The area now known as Altoona was first settled in 1846 by John H. Fisher, who built a log cabin near what is now known as Horseshoe Lake. Altoona was incorporated in 1868. The town was named after Altoona, Pennsylvania, by settlers from that town.

Altoona is located at (41.661543, -93.726452). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.28 square miles (78 km2), all of it land except for two small lakes on the east side of town: Horseshoe Lake and Lake Matteson (which are both connected). As of the 2010 census there were 18,917 people residing within city limits.

The city's slogan is "A World of Fun," and it's easy to see why. With its famous Adventureland amusement park, Altoona has long been known as one of the best places in Iowa to bring your family for a day of fun. Whether you're looking for water rides or roller coasters, there's something for everyone here.

But Altoona isn't just about fun: it's also about family! That's why we offer affordable housing options with some of the best schools in the state. And if you're looking for work? We have plenty of jobs available—from retail positions at Target to manufacturing jobs at John Deere. Whatever your interests and passions may be, there's something for everyone in Altoona!

Altoona locator map
Location of Altoona on Iowa map.

Quick Facts about Altoona

Population : 19,503 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : Iowa (United States)
County : Polk County
Postal code : 50009
Phone Area Codes : 515
Area : 24.31 km2
Altitude : 955 feet / 291 meters
Establishment : January 01, 1876 (148 years ago)
Time Zone : UTC−06:00
Local time : 15:14:15 (3rd December 2024)
Density : 802 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : 25.44% (2010-2020)
Polk County Iowa Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Altoona Highlighted locator map image
Polk County Iowa Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Altoona Highlighted
Polk County Iowa Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Altoona Highlighted locator map image

Geography

Altoona is located at 41°38'39"N 93°27'53"W (41.6441600, -93.4646600).

Altoona map

Demographics

The population of Altoona increased by 25.44% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 14,541 - census
2011 15,010 3.12% estimation process
2012 15,734 4.6% estimation process
2013 16,039 1.9% estimation process
2014 16,579 3.26% estimation process
2015 17,555 5.56% estimation process
2016 18,076 2.88% estimation process
2017 18,665 3.16% estimation process
2018 18,783 0.63% estimation process
2019 19,221 2.28% estimation process
2020 19,503 1.45% estimation process

Demographic Facts

Estimated population as of July 1, 2019 : 10,303
Based on demographic estimates as of April 1, 2010 : 11,242
Based on demographic estimates as of 1 April 2010 : -8.4%
April 1, 2020 Population : 9,585
April 1, 2010 Population : 11,230
People under 5 years old, percentage : 4.9%
People under 18 years old, percentage : 15.1%
People over 65 (%) : 15.2%
Female persons, % : 51.5%
White only, percent : 85.5%
Black or African American alone, percent : 4.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native only, % : 0.8%
Asians alone % : 1.4%
Only Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, % : 0.2%
% of people who have participated in two or more races : 3.6%
% of Hispanic or Latino : 8.1%
White people, not Hispanic or Latino people, make up the majority of the population. : 82.6%
2015-2019 Veterans : 460
Percentage of foreign-born people, 2015-2019 : 4.8%
Rate of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 : 61.9%

Altoona zip code is 50009. County name: Polk, County fips: 19153

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Economic Facts

Rate of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 : 61.9%
Owner-occupied housing unit median value, 2015-2019 : $130,700
From 2015 to 2019, the median selected monthly owner costs - with a mortgage : $1,271
Monthly owner costs, without a mortgage, at the median, 2015-2019 : $589
2015-2019 median gross rent : $742
2015-2019 Households : 3,627
Population per household, 2015-2019 : 2.27
Living in the same house a year ago, percentage of people aged one year and up, 2015-2019 : 72.7%
Languages other than English spoken at home, as a percentage of people aged 5 and up, 2015-2019 : 6.6%
Households with computers, %, 2015-2019 : 89.5%
Percentage of households with a broadband Internet subscription, 2015-2019 : 81.7%
Percentage of people aged 25 and up with a high school diploma or higher, 2015-2019 : 97.4%
Bachelor's degree or higher, proportion of people aged 25 and up, 2015-2019 : 41.7%
Percentage of people under the age of 65 who have a disability, 2015-2019 : 8.6%
Persons under the age of 65 who do not have health insurance, as a percentage : 2.6%
Total civilian labor force, percent of population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 53.2%
Female labor force participation in the civilian labor force, as a percentage of the population aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 48.9%
Total sales of lodging and food services in 2012 ($1,000) : 36,305
Total receipts/revenue for health care and social assistance in 2012 ($1,000) : 24,948
2012 total retail sales ($1,000) : 163,933
2012 total retail sales per capita : $14,840
Mean commute time to work (in minutes), workers aged 16 and up, 2015-2019 : 14.5
2015-2019 median household income (in 2019 dollars) : $49,071
Income per capita in the previous 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 : $26,243
Percentage of people living in poverty : 24.0%
Total number of businesses in 2012 : 580
Men-owned businesses in 2012 : 254
Women-owned businesses in 2012 : 268
Minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 42
Non-minority-owned businesses in 2012 : 501
Veteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 64
Nonveteran-owned businesses in 2012 : 460
2010 population per square mile : 2,164.2
2010 land area in square miles : 5.19

People born in Altoona (5)

People born in Altoona, including aerospace engineer John Houbolt, football quarterback Kyle Orton, film director Ernest Traxler, .

List

  • Clyde Crabtree (American football player, teacher, coach (1905-1994)) he was born in 03/11/1905
  • Jamie Solinger (American model) she was born in 01/01/1975

Schools in Altoona

College & universities near Altoona, IA

Code Name City ZIP
153375 Grand View University Des Moines (IA) 50316
153588 American College of Hairstyling-Des Moines Des Moines (IA) 50309
153214 Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny (IA) 50023-3993
153542 UnityPoint Health-Des Moines School of Radiologic Technology Des Moines (IA) 50309-1453
153977 Mercy College of Health Sciences Des Moines (IA) 50309-1239

Stations (3)

Amtrak & bus stations near Altoona, IA

Code Name Address Type
OSC Osceola Main & East Clay Streets RAIL
CRN Creston Pine and Adams Avenue RAIL
OTM Ottumwa station 210 West Main Street RAIL

Post offices near Altoona

Post Office Name City ZIP
Altoona Post Office Altoona (IA) 50009
Pleasant Hill Post Office Des Moines (IA) 50317
Berwick Post Office Berwick (IA) 50032
Bonduran Post Office Bondurant (IA) 50035
Mitchellvill Post Office Mitchellville (IA) 50169

Other places with the same name (5)

  • Altoona , Pennsylvania A city in Blair County, Pennsylvania. It is located in the eastern part of the state. Altoona is known for its many parks and green spaces, its many historical sites, and its many attractions, such as the Altoona Historical Society and the Altoona Railroaders Museum. with a population of 42,989 people.
  • Altoona , Wisconsin city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin with a population of 8,062 people.
  • Altoona , Alabama town in Etowah County, Alabama, USA with a population of 915 people.
  • Altoona , Kansas city in Wilson County, Kansas, United States with a population of 371 people.

Other cities in Polk County

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Polk County , IA. (more)

City Name Population Title
Des Moines 212,312 The capital of Iowa.
Ankeny 70,068 The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.
West Des Moines 69,057 The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.
Urbandale 44,650 A city in Polk County, Iowa.
Johnston 23,092 City in Iowa, United States
Clive 17,444 Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America
Grimes 15,831 City in Iowa, United States
Pleasant Hill 10,025 American city in Iowa
Bondurant 7,293 City in Polk County, Iowa, United States of America
Polk City 4,961 American city in Iowa
Windsor Heights 4,735 City in Polk County, Iowa, United States
Saylorville 3,301 City in Polk County, Iowa, United States of America
Mitchellville 2,273 City in Iowa, United States
Elkhart 952 American city in Iowa
Runnells 498 City in Polk County, Iowa, United States
Alleman 447 City in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Distance to Other Cities

Altoona distances to largest Iowa cities