Altoona, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Altoona, Iowa had a total population of 21,495, the 26th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $86,114, which is 15% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Altoona Quick Facts
How Altoona 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 | 20,592 | 21,495 | +4.4% |
| Median household income | $87,123 | $86,114 | -1.2% |
| Median home value | $257,300 | $274,600 | +6.7% |
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
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+)
Altoona Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 212,421 | $65,932 | 14.9% | $194,700 |
| Ankeny | 72,615 | $108,198 | 4.2% | $331,000 |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | 8.4% | $309,000 |
| Urbandale | 46,595 | $112,795 | 6.8% | $335,500 |
| Johnston | 24,384 | $106,551 | 10.2% | $369,100 |
| Clive | 19,012 | $132,121 | 7.3% | $401,100 |
| Grimes | 16,366 | $120,037 | 4.4% | $304,700 |
| Norwalk | 14,183 | $102,722 | 4.2% | $303,100 |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | 8.9% | $295,100 |
| Bondurant | 8,560 | $135,674 | 6.2% | $318,800 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Liberty | 21,125 | $102,102 | $303,800 | 54.5% | 6.1% |
| Coralville | 23,234 | $69,144 | $298,500 | 56.0% | 13.0% |
| Johnston | 24,384 | $106,551 | $369,100 | 57.8% | 10.2% |
| Muscatine | 23,489 | $58,117 | $153,600 | 21.1% | 19.1% |
| Burlington | 23,728 | $59,000 | $114,300 | 22.5% | 13.2% |
Population Overview
Altoona is a small city located in Iowa, within Polk County. The total population is 21,495. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Altoona is 36.1 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Altoona is $86,114. This is 15% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 7% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.3%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 7.5%. This is 109% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $274,600. Housing costs are 32% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 68.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Altoona is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.5%.
Education
33.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% higher 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 96.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Altoona, 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 Altoona, Iowa?
Altoona, Iowa has a population of 21,495 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Altoona, IA?
The median household income in Altoona is $86,114, which is 7% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Altoona, IA?
The poverty rate in Altoona is 8.3%. This means approximately 1,760 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Altoona, Iowa?
Altoona's population is 81.7% White, 5.1% Black, 6.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Altoona, IA?
The median home value in Altoona is $274,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Altoona, Iowa?
33.5% of adults (25+) in Altoona hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.