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Alta Vista, IA

Iowa

Alta Vista is a small town in Iowa with a population of 171. Residents earn $53,750 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
171 Population 228/sq mi density
$53,750 Median Income $36,166 per capita
$68,600 Home Value $222,703 Zillow
$825 Median Rent 16.5% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature 246 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$53,750 median income, 0.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$68,600 home value, $825/mo rent
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
5.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,750
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $68,600
76% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.8%
83% lower than US avg
Median Rent $825
29% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.0%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.6%
71% lower than US avg

How Alta Vista Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population171
Median Age46.2 yrs
Density228/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans3.5%

Economy

A
Median Income$53,750
Per Capita$36,166
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty3.6%
County GDP$1,087M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$68,600
Rent$825
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$222,703
Housing Units102
Rent Burden16.5%

Health

Obesity40.0%
Uninsured7.8%
Smoking17.0%
Depression21.1%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F (7°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain40.6 in/yr
Sunny Days246/yr
Elevation1,154 ft (352 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.8%
High School+89.2%
Graduate+2.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 31%
Commute29 min
Broadband94.0%
Libraries6

Is Alta Vista a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Alta Vista receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Alta Vista offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Alta Vista is $53,750, 28% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. Only 3.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Alta Vista is $68,600, 76% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $825 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Alta Vista has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 40.6 inches, including 38.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Alta Vista has a population of 171 with a density of 228 people per square mile. The median age is 46.2 years, 19% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.8%).

Population

171
Total Population
228
People / sq mi
46.2yrs
Median Age
19% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.7%
Female 50.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Alta Vista vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Alta Vista vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Alta Vista is $53,750, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Alta Vista vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,750
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$36,166
Avg Weekly Wage$1,066
IRS Avg AGI$81,462

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.7%
81% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.6%
71% below US avg
Establishments (County)430
County GDP$1,087M

Business (County)

Restaurants20
Healthcare34
Retail46
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,062
13% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.46%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.2 min
Drive Alone72.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Alta Vista is $68,600, 76% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $825 (29% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $222,703.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$68,600
76% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$222,703

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$825
29% below US avg
Rent Burden16.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied79.8%
Housing Units102
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,062
13% below US avg
Effective Rate4.46%
In Alta Vista, 40.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.8% of residents lack health insurance. 17.0% are current smokers. 21.1% report depression. 25.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Alta Vista vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.0%
25% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure31.9%
Asthma10.2%
COPD6.5%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.0%
21% above US avg
Binge Drinking24.0%
Physical Inactivity25.4%
Depression21.1%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress12.6%
Short Sleep34.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate84.5%
Uninsured7.8%
9% below US avg
Checkup Rate73.4%
Dental Visits64.0%
Premature Death6,659/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access60.7%
Healthcare Facilities34
Alta Vista has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.6 inches. The area enjoys 246 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average44.7°F
17% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days246 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.6 inches
7% above US avg
Snowfall38.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,154 ft (352 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density228/sq mi
Coordinates43.1967°N, 92.4169°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19037
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 5.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (83% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 37.2-point margin. 94.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68%
D 30.8%

Winner: Republican by 37.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.8%
83% below US avg
High School+89.2%
Graduate Degree+2.1%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density228/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access94.0%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities34
Restaurants20
Retail Stores46

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.2 min
Drive Alone72.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.3%

Nearby Cities

New Hampton, IA 3,462 pop · 11.0 mi Charles City, IA 7,321 pop · 15.9 mi Nashua, IA 1,634 pop · 18.2 mi Cresco, IA 3,901 pop · 19.4 mi Fredericksburg, IA 1,040 pop · 19.5 mi Osage, IA 3,578 pop · 20.7 mi Tripoli, IA 1,256 pop · 28.0 mi St. Ansgar, IA 1,156 pop · 28.2 mi Greene, IA 1,390 pop · 28.5 mi Sumner, IA 2,159 pop · 28.9 mi Nora Springs, IA 1,394 pop · 30.1 mi Clarksville, IA 1,248 pop · 31.5 mi Harmony, MN 1,089 pop · 32.1 mi Decorah, IA 7,597 pop · 32.6 mi
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