Homefactsby IDLookupNew search

Neighborhood report

Altoona, IA

Founded 1876Polk CountyElev. 291 m
Population
20,592
Median home
$257,300
Disaster risk
Relatively Moderate
Public schools
4
Sex offenders
0

Overview

About Altoona

With about 20,592 residents, Altoona is one of Iowa's notable places. Altoona was founded in 1876 and sits in Polk County. The median age is 35.5 and the median household income is $87,123. Homes carry a median value of $257,300, and about 68% of residents own where they live. White residents make up the largest share of the population (84.4%). Around 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the typical commute runs about 24 minutes.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).

Look up anyone in Altoona, IA
Search Altoona residents by name — addresses, phone numbers, relatives, criminal & public records.
Search people →

Who lives here

Demographics

Population
20,592
Median age
35.5
Median household income
$87,123
Per-capita income
$41,907
Poverty rate
7.2%
High-school grad or higher
95.6%
Bachelor's degree or higher
32.6%
Unemployment
6.7%
Avg. commute
23.5 min
Work from home
12.7%
Residents by race & ethnicity
White84.4%
Hispanic or Latino6.9%
Black3.5%
Asian1.5%
Workforce by occupation
Management, business, science & arts42.6%
Sales & office23.1%
Service14%
Production, transportation & material moving13.9%
Natural resources, construction & maintenance6.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).

Housing

Property report

Median home value
$257,300
Median gross rent
$1,203/mo
Owner-occupied
68.3%
Median year built
1998
Households
7,865
Avg. household size
2.6

Area-level figures. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS (5-year). Parcel-level records coming next.

Education

Schools

Altoona has 4 public schools — 4 elementary.

Altoona ElementaryElementaryGrades -1–5
Centennial ElementaryElementaryGrades -1–5
Clay ElementaryElementaryGrades -1–5
Willowbrook ElementaryElementaryGrades -1–5

Public schools + grade-8 proficiency. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES directory + EDFacts assessments), via Urban Institute.

Safety

Crime

violent crime59% below national
Altoona160
Iowa280
United States386
↑ 15% higher than 2019
2019–2023
property crime1% above national
Altoona1,970
Iowa1,487
United States1,952
↓ 19% lower than 2019
2019–2023

Rate per 100,000 residents/year, Altoona Police Department, 2023. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS (Crime Data Explorer).

Environment

Environmental hazards

Toxic-release sites and regulated facilities in and around Altoona.

Data source being added: U.S. EPA — Toxics Release Inventory (public). We show real, sourced figures only — never estimates.

Risk

Natural disaster risk

Relatively Moderate
Top hazards · Polk County
Strong windVery High
Cold waveRelatively High
DroughtRelatively High
HailRelatively High
Heat waveRelatively High
Ice stormRelatively High

County-level natural-hazard risk. Source: FEMA National Risk Index.

Context

Neighborhood info

Altoona is in Polk County — see county-wide risk, demographics, and registry.

Altoona was founded in 1876 and sits in Polk County. Elevation ~291 m.

Map of Altoona
Altoona, IA
Where Altoona is
Des MoinesCedar RapidsDavenportSiouxIowaAnkenyAltoona
Notable people from Altoona
John HouboltKyle OrtonGeorge BasallaClyde CrabtreeJamie Solinger
People searches in Altoona
Michael Smith (3)John Smith (3)James Smith (3)David Smith (3)Robert Smith (3)Michael Johnson (3)John Johnson (2)James Johnson (2)Michael Williams (2)William Smith (2)David Johnson (2)Robert Johnson (2)John Williams (2)Michael Brown (2)Michael Jones (2)James Williams (2)David Williams (2)John Brown (2)Robert Williams (2)John Jones (2)William Johnson (2)Mary SmithJames BrownJames Jones
Nearby cities
Pleasant Hill (4 mi)Des Moines (8 mi)Ankeny (9 mi)Johnston (13 mi)Urbandale (16 mi)Norwalk (16 mi)

Common questions

Altoona — frequently asked

What is the population of Altoona, Iowa?
Altoona has a population of about 20,592, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year).
What is the average home value in Altoona?
The median home value in Altoona is $257,300, and the median gross rent is $1,203/month (U.S. Census ACS).
Is Altoona safe? What is the crime rate?
Altoona Police Department reported a violent-crime rate of about 160 per 100,000 residents in 2023 — lower than the U.S. rate of 386. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS.
What natural-disaster risks does Altoona face?
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Polk County as "Relatively Moderate" overall, with top hazards including strong wind, cold wave, drought.
How many schools are in Altoona?
Altoona has 4 public schools (4 elementary). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES.
How many registered sex offenders are in Altoona?
Public registry data lists 0 registered sex offenders in or near Altoona. This is neighborhood-safety information from the public state registry.
Look up a person in Altoona →