Altoona, IA Demographics

A map of Altoona's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	17,569	16,679	81.7%	85.2%
Hispanic	1,395	950	6.5%	4.9%
Black	1,106	768	5.1%	3.9%
Multiracial	883	744	4.1%	3.8%
Asian	452	333	2.1%	1.7%
Native American/Other	90	91	0.4%	0.5%

Altoona, Iowa has an estimated population of 21,495, an increase from the 19,565 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 81.7% White, 6.5% Hispanic, 5.1% Black, 4.1% Multiracial, 2.1% Asian, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Altoona, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Altoona has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is slightly more diverse than Iowa overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Altoona, that probability was 26.8% in 2020 and 32.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Altoona is ranked the 26th most populous place in Iowa, out of 1,026 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Altoona was ranked the 27th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Altoona's White Population

17,569 residents of Altoona, or 81.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Altoona is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 82.3% of the population is White. Altoona ranks 896th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Altoona's White population has grown by an estimated 5.3%. White residents' share of Altoona's population has decreased from 85.2% to 81.7%.

Altoona is less White than neighboring Bondurant (84.3% White), Pleasant Hill (85.3% White), Mitchellville (88.5% White), Carlisle (93.3% White), and Ankeny (85.7% White).

Altoona's Black Population

1,106 residents of Altoona, or 5.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Altoona is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Altoona ranks 47th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Altoona's Black population has grown by an estimated 44.0%. Black residents' share of Altoona's population has increased from 3.9% to 5.1%.

Altoona is more Black than neighboring Pleasant Hill (3.9% Black), Mitchellville (3.2% Black), Carlisle (0.4% Black), and Ankeny (2.5% Black). Altoona is less Black than neighboring Bondurant (5.5% Black).

Altoona's Asian Population

452 residents of Altoona, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Altoona is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 2.5% of the population is Asian. Altoona ranks 77th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Altoona's Asian population has grown by an estimated 35.7%. Asian residents' share of Altoona's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.1%.

Altoona is more Asian than neighboring Bondurant (1.5% Asian), Pleasant Hill (1.6% Asian), Mitchellville (0.4% Asian), and Carlisle (0.2% Asian). Altoona is less Asian than neighboring Ankeny (3.5% Asian).

Altoona's Hispanic Population

1,395 residents of Altoona, or 6.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Altoona is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Altoona ranks 235th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Altoona's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 46.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Altoona's population has increased from 4.9% to 6.5%.

Altoona is more Hispanic than neighboring Bondurant (6.2% Hispanic), Mitchellville (4.5% Hispanic), Carlisle (5.1% Hispanic), and Ankeny (5.1% Hispanic). Altoona is less Hispanic than neighboring Pleasant Hill (6.7% Hispanic).

Altoona's Native American/Other Population

90 residents of Altoona, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Altoona is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Altoona ranks 363rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Altoona's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 1.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Altoona's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Altoona is more Native American/Other than neighboring Bondurant (0% Native American/Other), Pleasant Hill (0% Native American/Other), and Ankeny (0.2% Native American/Other). Altoona is less Native American/Other than neighboring Mitchellville (0.6% Native American/Other).

Altoona's Multiracial Population

883 residents of Altoona, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Altoona is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Altoona ranks 237th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Altoona's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 18.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Altoona's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.1%.

Altoona is more Multiracial than neighboring Bondurant (2.5% Multiracial), Pleasant Hill (2.5% Multiracial), Mitchellville (2.7% Multiracial), Carlisle (0.6% Multiracial), and Ankeny (3.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.