Altoona, KS

Kansas

Altoona is a small town in Kansas with a population of 409. Residents earn $44,107 per year, which is 41% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
409 Population 772/sq mi density
$44,107 Median Income $22,501 per capita
$50,200 Home Value $95,577 Zillow
$706 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$44,107 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$50,200 home value, $706/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $44,107
41% lower than US avg
Home Value $50,200
82% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.4%
72% lower than US avg
Median Rent $706
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.5%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.0%
5% higher than US avg

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

People

Population409
Median Age39.6 yrs
Density772/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 88%

Economy

B+
Median Income$44,107
Per Capita$22,501
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty13.0%
County GDP$389M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$50,200
Rent$706
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$95,577

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.7%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain41.8 in/yr
Elevation828 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.4%
High School+88.2%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 18%
Commute21 min
Libraries3

Is Altoona a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Altoona receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Altoona offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Altoona is $44,107, 41% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. 13.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Altoona is $50,200, 82% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $706 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Altoona enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.8 inches, including 6.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Altoona has a population of 409 with a density of 772 people per square mile. The median age is 39.6 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88%), with 6.1% Hispanic.

Population

409
Total Population
772
People / sq mi
39.6yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.7%
Female 54.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Altoona vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Altoona vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Altoona is $44,107, which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Altoona vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$44,107
41% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,501
Avg Weekly Wage$933
IRS Avg AGI$56,309

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.0%
5% above US avg
Establishments (County)236
County GDP$389M

Business (County)

Restaurants20
Healthcare29
Retail33
Manufacturing15

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,738
22% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.45%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.5 min
Work from Home7.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Altoona is $50,200, 82% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $706 (39% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $95,577.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$50,200
82% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$95,577

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$706
39% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$702
1 Bedroom$753
2 Bedrooms$947
3 Bedrooms$1,223
4 Bedrooms$1,397

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,738
22% below US avg
Effective Rate5.45%
In Altoona, 40.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.7% report depression. 28.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Altoona vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.5%
26% above US avg
Diabetes10.7%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure33.6%
Asthma11.1%
COPD8.1%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.2%
Physical Inactivity28.3%
Depression23.7%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress14.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.5%
Checkup Rate73.7%
Premature Death11,658/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access34.7%
Healthcare Facilities29

Crime Rates: Altoona vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Altoona has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average56.8°F
5% above US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.8 inches
10% above US avg
Snowfall6.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation828 ft (252 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density772/sq mi
Coordinates37.5245°N, 95.6615°W
County FIPS20205
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 9.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (72% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 62.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 80.3%
D 18%

Winner: Republican by 62.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.4%
72% below US avg
High School+88.2%
School Test Score5.80
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density772/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities29
Restaurants20
Retail Stores33

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.5 min
Work from Home7.2%

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