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!
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 : | 23:30:26 (25th April 2024) |
| Density : | 802 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
| Population growth : | 25.44% (2010-2020) |
Geography
Altoona is located at 41°38'39"N 93°27'53"W (41.6441600, -93.4646600).
Altoona map
icon to open full mode. View satellite images
- Official Website
Official website of Altoona
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% |
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
