Altoona, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Altoona, Alabama had a total population of 1,252, the 287th largest town in Alabama, with a median household income of $43,056, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Altoona Quick Facts
How Altoona Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 883 | 1,252 | No clear change (+41.8%) |
| Median household income | $39,383 | $43,056 | No clear change (+9.3%) |
| Median home value¹ | $102,518 | $114,100 | No clear change (+11.3%) |
| Median gross rent | $368 | $380 | No clear change (+3.3%) |
How Altoona Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 92.3%
- Black: 0.2%
- Hispanic: 6.4%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 18.0%
- HS Diploma: 48.1%
- Some College: 19.7%
- Associate's: 6.5%
- Bachelor's: 7.1%
- Graduate+: 0.7%
Altoona Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Etowah County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gadsden | 33,374 | $40,345 | 28.1% | $116,800 |
| Boaz | 10,814 | $49,846 | 19.4% | $199,200 |
| Rainbow City | 10,284 | $56,398 | 10.0% | $223,000 |
| Attalla | 5,775 | $59,215 | 11.3% | $126,100 |
| Hokes Bluff | 4,547 | $74,968 | 4.0% | $196,400 |
| Sardis City | 2,046 | $67,721 | 12.1% | $225,700 |
| Carlisle-Rockledge | 1,993 | $60,360 | 21.7% | $115,900 |
| Whitesboro | 1,918 | $67,188 | 3.9% | $154,400 |
| Coats Bend | 1,630 | $70,409 | 18.0% | $149,600 |
| Tidmore Bend | 1,192 | $60,729 | 14.6% | $162,500 |
Cities Similar to Altoona
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snead | 1,247 | $48,509 | $175,200 | 12.8% | 14.8% |
| Maplesville | 1,200 | $38,155 | $132,600 | 6.9% | 22.2% |
| Mount Vernon | 1,339 | $46,307 | $111,900 | 23.1% | 17.8% |
| Skyline | 1,126 | $44,307 | $123,800 | 4.8% | 18.0% |
| Hobson City | 1,142 | $47,361 | $108,200 | 9.0% | 19.8% |
Population Overview
Altoona is a small community located in Alabama, within Etowah County. The total population is 1,252. It ranks as the 287th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Altoona is 40.9 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. Only 13.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Altoona is $43,056. This is 33% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.2%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $114,100. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Altoona is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Altoona has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.4%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 25.6%.
Education
7.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Altoona, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Altoona, Alabama?
Altoona, Alabama has a population of 1,252 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Altoona, AL?
The median household income in Altoona is $43,056, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Altoona, AL?
The poverty rate in Altoona is 23.2%. This means approximately 286 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Altoona, Alabama?
Altoona's population is 92.3% White, 0.2% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Altoona, AL?
The median home value in Altoona is $114,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Altoona, Alabama?
7.7% of adults (25+) in Altoona hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.