City

Alta, IA

1 ZIP code  ·  Buena Vista County  ·  Iowa

👥2,866Population
💰$69,375Median HH Income▼ 9% below avg
🎂36.6Median Age
🏠$145,300Median Home Value▼ 48% below avg
🎓41.2%College Grads≈ Avg
📊13.9%Unemployment▲ 184% above avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 51.5% Female 48.5% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 60.3%Hispanic: 20.6%Black: 6%Asian: 10.2%Other: 1.2%Race
White60.3%
Hispanic20.6%
Black6.0%
Asian10.2%
Other1.2%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
6%
5–17
22%
18–24
6%
25–44
26%
45–64
29%
65+
4%

Key Indicators

Median Age36.6 yrs
Avg HH Size2.80
Below Poverty6.5% ▼ 36% below avg
College Grads41.2% ≈ Avg
Unemployment13.9% ▲ 184% above avg
No HS Diploma6 (0.4%)
HS Graduate635 (37.5%)
Some College149 (8.8%)
Associates207 (12.2%)
Bachelors236 (13.9%)
Graduate Degree461 (27.2%)

Education

No HS: 0.4%HS Grad: 37.5%Some College: 8.8%Associates: 12.2%Bachelors: 13.9%Graduate: 27.2%Edu
No HS0.4%
HS Grad37.5%
Some College8.8%
Associates12.2%
Bachelors13.9%
Graduate27.2%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 81.6%Renter: 18.5%Tenure
Owner81.6%
Renter18.5%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
20%
$50k–$100k
7%
$100k–$150k
25%
$150k–$200k
16%
$200k–$300k
22%
$300k–$500k
6%
Over $500k
4%

Financials

Median HH Income$69,375 ▼ 9% below avg
Median Home Value$145,300 ▼ 48% below avg
Home/Income Ratio2.1x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$918/mo
Total Housing Units1,113
Vacant Units94

Income Distribution

Under $25k
9%
$25k–$50k
14%
$50k–$75k
31%
$75k–$100k
15%
$100k–$150k
19%
$150k–$200k
9%
Over $200k
4%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
94%
Walked
1%
Work From Home
5%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
50%
15–30 min
37%
30–45 min
7%
Over 45 min
6%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
2%
1940s–1950s
21%
1960s–1970s
13%
1980s–1990s
4%
2000+
61%
About Alta, IA

Alta is a city in Iowa, located in Buena Vista County. The city spans 1 ZIP code and is home to approximately 2,866 residents. It is a relatively young city, with a median age of 36.6 years.

Economically, Alta is a solidly middle-class community. The median household income of $69,375 is near the national average. Approximately 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is 13.9%, more than double the national average.

The real estate market in Alta is one of the more affordable housing markets in the country. Median home values stand at $145,300, which is below the national average. Renters typically pay around $918 per month. Homeownership is high at 81.6%, typical of suburban and family-oriented communities.

The population of Alta is well-educated. 41.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — near the national average. The community is majority White (60.33%).

Alta, IA offers residents a cost-conscious lifestyle within Iowa.

ZIP Codes in Alta
ZIPPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.CollegeOwner Occ.
51002 2,866 $69,375 $145,300 $918 13.9% 41.2% 81.6%