At a Glance
Median Income
$87,123
$41,907 per capita
Home Value
$257,300
Zillow: $320,530
Median Rent
$1,203/mo
25.1% of income on rent
Violent Crime
147/100K
2,043/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
32.6%
95.6% high school+
Unemployment
6.7%
3.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
37.0%
14.1% smoking rate
How Altoona Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Altoona's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Altoona a Good Place to Live?
B
3.4 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Altoona residents earn a median household income of $87,123 , which is 16% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $41,907. The unemployment rate stands at 6.7% (86% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 20,581 business establishments, including 1,227 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Altoona is $257,300 , 9% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $320,530. Median rent is $1,203/month, with 25.1% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1998.
Safety & Crime
Altoona reports 147 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 61% below the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,043/100K.
Education
32.6% of adults in Altoona hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(3% below the national average).
95.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.7/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Altoona has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C).
Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.
Data Overview
People
Population20,592
Median Age35.5 yrs
Density1,547/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born5.2%
Veterans8.1%
Economy
A
Median Income$87,123
Per Capita$41,907
Unemployment6.7%
Poverty3.8%
County GDP$63,823M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,395
Housing
A+
Home Value$257,300
Rent$1,203
Ownership68.3%
Zillow$320,530
Housing Units7,893
Rent Burden25.1%
Crime
F
Violent147/100K
Property2,043/100K
Health
Obesity37.0%
Diabetes9.1%
Smoking14.1%
Heart Disease5.1%
Premature Death7,653/100K
Climate
Avg Temp50°F
Rain36.6 in/yr
AQI45 (Good)
Elevation936 ft
Education
B+
Bachelor's+32.6%
High School+95.6%
Graduate+8.8%
School Score5.7/10
Community
2024 VoteR 44% / D 55%
Commute24 min
Broadband94.1%
Internet Speed130 Mbps
EV Stations17
Libraries19
Did You Know?
Altoona was founded in 1876.
The median home in Altoona was built in 1998.
The nearest airport is Des Moines International (15 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.433 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
12.2% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 130 Mbps.
There are 1,227 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 33 fatal vehicle crashes.
91 declared natural disasters on record.