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Alta, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Buena Vista County County
2.9
/5.0
C+
Fair
2,344
Population
2,170/sq mi density
$66,118
Median Income
$30,836 per capita
$125,800
Home Value
$206,560 Zillow
$915
Median Rent
36.0% income on rent
47°F
Avg Temperature
260 sunny days/yr
471
Violent Crime/100K
2,006 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$66,118 median income, 13.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$125,800 home value, $915/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
471 violent crimes/100K (24% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Alta experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 33.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-8°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 47.1°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,516 ft (462 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,170/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.6717°N, 95.3045°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Buena Vista County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fort Dodge Regional (FOD) 57 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 40.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 53.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 22°F (-5°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.8 in |
Alta has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 17°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (0.5").