Alta Vista, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alta Vista, Iowa had a total population of 194, the 703rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $44,500, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 4.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.8%.
Alta Vista Quick Facts
How Alta Vista Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171 | 194 | +13.5% |
| Median household income | $53,750 | $44,500 | -17.2% |
| Median home value | $68,600 | $68,200 | -0.6% |
How Alta Vista Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alta Vista Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Chickasaw County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampton | 3,453 | $62,870 | 17.3% | $167,700 |
| Fredericksburg | 989 | $65,313 | 10.5% | $201,300 |
| Lawler | 363 | $65,833 | 10.5% | $117,100 |
| Ionia | 336 | $73,945 | 4.5% | $95,700 |
| Protivin | 312 | $71,667 | 2.2% | $116,900 |
| North Washington | 134 | $71,964 | 10.6% | $135,000 |
| Bassett | 50 | $62,895 | 20.0% | $90,800 |
Cities Similar to Alta Vista
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weston | 192 | N/A | N/A | 65.5% | 0.0% |
| Moorhead | 195 | $45,000 | $54,200 | 8.2% | 26.2% |
| Conroy | 199 | N/A | $213,000 | 51.8% | 4.0% |
| Bentley | 189 | N/A | $188,900 | 63.7% | 6.3% |
| Williamson | 190 | $45,000 | N/A | 0.0% | 35.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 194, Alta Vista's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Alta Vista is a small community located in Iowa, within Chickasaw County. The total population is 194. It ranks as the 703rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alta Vista is 41.8 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alta Vista is $44,500. This is 41% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.9%. This is 16% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 0.8%. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $68,200. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Alta Vista is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Alta Vista has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (14.4% vs 7.3%).
Education
4.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 86% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alta Vista, Iowa 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 Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. 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 Alta Vista, Iowa?
Alta Vista, Iowa has a population of 194 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alta Vista, IA?
The median household income in Alta Vista is $44,500, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alta Vista, IA?
The poverty rate in Alta Vista is 12.9%. This means approximately 25 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alta Vista, Iowa?
Alta Vista's population is 85.6% White, 0.0% Black, 14.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alta Vista, IA?
The median home value in Alta Vista is $68,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Alta Vista, Iowa?
4.4% of adults (25+) in Alta Vista hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.