Altoona, IA

Census place 1901630 · pop 21,495

D56/ 100
😐 Meh
D
in IA
📍 Iowa ranks #11 of 50 states →
🏆 Growth+16.5% · top 10%
🚽 Prop tax1.60% · bottom 22%
Taxes
1.60% property · US 0.99%6.94% sales · US 7.00%3.80% flat income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Property-tax burden1.60%22

U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities

1.60% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Property crime rate2043/100k28

U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities

2043 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Adult obesity37.3%35

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

37.3% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Air quality (AQI)County-level45 AQI39

U.S. median 42 AQI · worse than most cities

45 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Poor mental health17.8%40

U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities

17.8% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Adult smoking14.1%42

U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities

14.1% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level92/10043

U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities

92/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Housing cost$274,60052

U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities

$274,600 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Bachelor's degree or higher33.5%57

U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities

33.5% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Commute time23 min59

U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities

23 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Physical inactivity23.4%59

U.S. median 26.5% · better than most cities

23.4% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Violent crime rate147/100k61

U.S. median 152/100k · better than most cities

147 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Unemployment rateCounty-level3.4%62

U.S. median 3.6% · better than most cities

3.4% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Median household income$86,11463

U.S. median $67,857 · better than most cities

$86,114 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Homeownership68.7%63

U.S. median 67.2% · better than most cities

68.7% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Rent$1,539/mo66

U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities

$1,539/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).

Poverty rate8.3%67

U.S. median 12.1% · better than most cities

8.3% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Broadband access93.7%68

U.S. median 90.0% · better than most cities

93.7% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Uninsured adults6.6%80

U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities

6.6% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Income inequality0.3982

U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities

Gini 0.39 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level0 days85

U.S. median 1 days · better than most cities

0 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Population growth (5yr)+16.5%90

U.S. median +2.4% · better than most cities

+16.5% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Frequently asked

Is Altoona, IA a good place to live?
By the numbers, Altoona scores 56/100 — a D (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is population growth (5yr) and its weakest is property-tax burden. Iowa overall ranks #11 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Altoona, IA?
Altoona reports 147 violent crimes per 100k and 2043 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Altoona, IA expensive to live in?
Altoona has a median home value of $274,600 and typical rent around $1,539/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Altoona, IA?
Its weakest measured area is property-tax burden (1.60%) — 22/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Altoona, IA best at?
Its strongest measured area is population growth (5yr) (+16.5%) — 90/100, better than most U.S. cities.

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.