Altona, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Altona, New York had a total population of 544, the 1033rd largest community in New York, with a median household income of $39,000, which is 55% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 50.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (50.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 18.4% is notably above the national average.
Altona Quick Facts
How Altona 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 | 603 | 544 | -9.8% |
| Median household income | $21,629 | $39,000 | +80.3% |
| Median home value | $95,000 | $187,500 | +97.4% |
How Altona 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Altona Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Clinton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plattsburgh | 19,830 | $57,630 | 22.7% | $195,900 |
| Dannemora | 2,684 | $62,411 | 13.8% | $134,400 |
| Keeseville | 2,570 | $62,063 | 17.9% | $120,900 |
| Rouses Point | 2,414 | $46,250 | 11.9% | $197,400 |
| Peru | 1,965 | $66,812 | 13.0% | $216,600 |
| Morrisonville | 1,950 | $90,430 | 4.6% | $205,200 |
| Cumberland Head | 1,535 | $108,182 | 1.4% | $205,200 |
| Plattsburgh West | 1,328 | $49,904 | 20.0% | $60,200 |
| Champlain | 1,270 | $65,000 | 12.5% | $122,700 |
| West Chazy | 867 | $105,898 | 0.0% | $93,800 |
Cities Similar to Altona
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dayton | 543 | $40,000 | $67,300 | 10.4% | 35.6% |
| Bridgewater | 543 | $35,694 | $80,000 | 10.3% | 28.7% |
| Barker | 590 | N/A | $175,000 | 13.4% | 29.7% |
| Silver Springs | 558 | $46,000 | $90,400 | 4.4% | 10.0% |
| Mountain Dale | 499 | $41,250 | $169,800 | 37.1% | 10.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 544, Altona'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
Altona is a small community located in New York, within Clinton County. The total population is 544. It ranks as the 1033rd most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Altona is 37.4 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.8 years. Only 10.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Altona is $39,000. This is 55% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 50.8%. This is 263% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. 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 18.4%. This is 189% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $187,500. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 39.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Altona is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 31.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (31.6% vs 13.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (8.6%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
6.0% 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 85% lower than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 52.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Altona, New York 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 New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. 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 Altona, New York?
Altona, New York has a population of 544 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Altona, NY?
The median household income in Altona is $39,000, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Altona, NY?
The poverty rate in Altona is 50.8%. This means approximately 122 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Altona, New York?
Altona's population is 59.0% White, 31.6% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Altona, NY?
The median home value in Altona is $187,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Altona, New York?
6.0% of adults (25+) in Altona hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.