Alta, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alta, Iowa had a total population of 2,250, the 153rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $65,833, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 18.8% is notably above the national average.
Alta Quick Facts
How Alta 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 | 2,344 | 2,250 | -4.0% |
| Median household income | $66,118 | $65,833 | -0.4% |
| Median home value | $125,800 | $146,600 | +16.5% |
How Alta 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alta Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Buena Vista County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storm Lake | 11,428 | $62,765 | 7.0% | $172,200 |
| Newell | 944 | $66,667 | 2.0% | $122,600 |
| Albert City | 722 | $80,972 | 12.9% | $96,500 |
| Sioux Rapids | 722 | $60,000 | 6.1% | $88,700 |
| Lakeside | 563 | $106,250 | 2.7% | $246,400 |
| Marathon | 234 | $39,375 | 25.2% | $46,900 |
| Linn Grove | 215 | $62,250 | 9.3% | $93,300 |
| Truesdale | 187 | $100,076 | 8.0% | $35,800 |
| Rembrandt | 157 | $58,438 | 19.8% | $85,800 |
Cities Similar to Alta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull | 2,317 | $72,344 | $225,700 | 21.2% | 5.5% |
| Columbus Junction | 2,110 | $63,828 | $125,800 | 17.9% | 10.3% |
| Cascade | 2,375 | $69,688 | $196,200 | 27.3% | 8.7% |
| Bellevue | 2,259 | $79,417 | $216,500 | 25.3% | 9.8% |
| Lake Mills | 2,088 | $61,875 | $122,600 | 18.0% | 15.3% |
Population Overview
Alta is a small community located in Iowa, within Buena Vista County. The total population is 2,250. It ranks as the 153rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alta is 38.8 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.6 years. With 30.0% of the population under 18, Alta has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alta is $65,833. This is 12% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.2%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 18.8%. This is 425% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $146,600. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Alta is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Alta is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.6% vs 3.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (16.4% vs 7.3%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (13.4% vs 2.5%).
Education
21.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 88.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alta, 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, Iowa?
Alta, Iowa has a population of 2,250 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alta, IA?
The median household income in Alta is $65,833, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alta, IA?
The poverty rate in Alta is 10.2%. This means approximately 226 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alta, Iowa?
Alta's population is 56.0% White, 8.6% Black, 16.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 13.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alta, IA?
The median home value in Alta is $146,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Alta, Iowa?
21.2% of adults (25+) in Alta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.