Altoona, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Altoona, Wisconsin had a total population of 8,878, the 109th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $84,552, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.1%.
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 | 8,750 | 8,878 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $80,126 | $84,552 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $220,900 | $233,100 | +5.5% |
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: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Altoona Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Eau Claire County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire | 70,322 | $67,395 | 14.3% | $247,600 |
| Seymour | 1,531 | $95,139 | 4.0% | $241,300 |
| Fall Creek | 1,493 | $86,818 | 7.3% | $214,200 |
| Augusta | 1,341 | $53,714 | 18.2% | $148,400 |
| Fairchild | 414 | $48,750 | 16.2% | $91,700 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monona | 8,527 | $87,773 | $427,900 | 58.3% | 9.5% |
| Lake Geneva | 8,521 | $75,629 | $343,800 | 41.3% | 10.7% |
| Somers | 8,216 | $80,488 | $315,300 | 42.0% | 8.7% |
| McFarland | 9,160 | $97,500 | $390,100 | 48.9% | 3.8% |
| Plymouth | 8,890 | $68,038 | $213,300 | 24.7% | 9.8% |
Population Overview
Altoona is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Eau Claire County. The total population is 8,878. It ranks as the 109th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Altoona is 37.5 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Altoona is $84,552. This is 9% higher than the state median of $77,485. It is also 5% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.1%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $233,100. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Altoona is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Altoona has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.0%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
42.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 33.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Altoona, Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. 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, Wisconsin?
Altoona, Wisconsin has a population of 8,878 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Altoona, WI?
The median household income in Altoona is $84,552, which is 5% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Altoona, WI?
The poverty rate in Altoona is 13.1%. This means approximately 1,134 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Altoona, Wisconsin?
Altoona's population is 87.2% White, 1.3% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Altoona, WI?
The median home value in Altoona is $233,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Altoona, Wisconsin?
42.2% of adults (25+) in Altoona hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.