In 2017, Altoona’s population reached an estimated 18,500. That’s a 27% increase since 2010, and most of that population—over 70%—is over the age of 18. People are already taking advantage of Altoona’s expanding entertainment scene, and we’re ready to share it with the nation.
We’re raising families, too. 71% of households in Altoona are families, and 75% are owner-occupied. Now is the time to break ground and set down roots. Now is the time for Altoona.
AGENOW
| Age Distribution (2018 Est.) | Altoona | Greater Des Moines Region | |
| Ages 0-4 | 1,611 | 9.0% | 15,477 |
| Ages 5-9 | 1,223 | 8.41% | 13,005 |
| Ages 10-14 | 1,374 | 7.7% | 16,495 |
| Ages 15-19 | 1,200 | 6.7% | 16,786 |
| Ages 20-24 | 1,058 | 5.9% | 15,849 |
| Ages 25-34 | 2,446 | 13.6% | 35,064 |
| Ages 35-44 | 2,733 | 15.2% | 28,323 |
| Ages 45-54 | 2,169 | 12.1% | 24,636 |
| Ages 55-59 | 952 | 5.4% | 15,160 |
| Ages 60-64 | 978 | 5.5% | 10,762 |
| Ages 65-74 | 1,206 | 6.7% | 14,196 |
| Ages 75-84 | 701 | 3.9% | 7,529 |
| Ages 16 and over | 13,506 | 75.3% | 168,705 |
| Ages 18 and over | 12,824 | 71.5% | 162,468 |
| Ages 21 and over | 12,246 | 68.3% | 150,960 |
| Ages 65 and over | 2,083 | 11.6% | 25,426 |
| Median Age | 34 | 33.9 | |
PEOPLENOW
| Ethnicity and Culture (2019 Est.) | Altoona | Greater Des Moines Region | |
| White | 96.3% | 75.4% | |
| Black or African American | 0.9% | 11.3% | |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.1% | 0.4% | |
| Asian | 0.6% | 6.5% | |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 0.7% | 0.1% | |
| Two or More Races | 1.2% | 4.0% | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 2.9% | 7.30% | |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 3.2% | 13.3% | |
| Foreign born persons | 1.3% | 12.6% | |
| Language other than English spoken at home | 3.2% | 18.3% |