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Alta, Iowa Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

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The current estimated population of Alta, Iowa is 2,043, with 50.1% male and 49.9% female. Alta has experienced stable population growth, primarily as a small, rural community with a strong agricultural economy.

City Facts

  • Year founded: 1872
  • County: Buena Vista
  • Land area: 1.5 square miles
  • Population density: Approximately 1,362 people per square mile
  • Area code: 712
  • Zip code: 51002

Geography and Location

Alta, Iowa is located in Buena Vista County, in northwestern Iowa, about 10 miles west of Storm Lake. The town is surrounded by farmland, with agriculture being the backbone of the local economy, particularly corn and soybean production. Alta offers a peaceful, rural lifestyle with a close-knit community atmosphere. The town’s location along U.S. Route 7 provides access to nearby towns and cities, and the surrounding landscape offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing.

Demographics

Median resident age: 35.1 years
Median household income: $31,941
Median house value: $69,500

Population by Race

Races in Alta:

  • White Non-Hispanic (86.5%)
  • Hispanic (10.6%)
  • Other race (4.5%)
  • Other Asian (1.1%)
  • Two or more races (1.0%)
  • Black (0.6%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (38.8%), Irish (10.9%), Norwegian (7.0%), Swedish (6.9%), English (6.5%), Danish (5.4%).

Elevation: 1490 feet

Land area: 1.0 square miles

Map of Alta, IA

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Alta

  • High school or higher: 87.2%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.8%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 4.6%
  • Unemployed: 4.9%
  • Mean travel time to work: 16.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Alta city

  • Never married: 22.0%
  • Now married: 57.6%
  • Separated: 1.3%
  • Widowed: 7.8%
  • Divorced: 11.3%

5.0% Foreign born (3.8% Latin America, 0.9% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: +11 (+0.6%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Alta:

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Alta:

  • SIOUX GATEWAY/COL. BUD DAY FIELD (about 77 miles; SIOUX CITY, IA; Abbreviation: SUX)
  • FORT DODGE REGIONAL (about 79 miles; FORT DODGE, IA; Abbreviation: FOD)
  • EPPLEY AIRFIELD (about 103 miles; OMAHA, NE; Abbreviation: OMA)

Other public-use airports nearest to Alta:

  • STORM LAKE MUNI (about 8 miles; STORM LAKE, IA; Abbreviation: SLB)
  • CHEROKEE MUNI (about 18 miles; CHEROKEE, IA; Abbreviation: CKP)
  • IDA GROVE MUNI (about 26 miles; IDA GROVE, IA; Abbreviation: IDG)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Alta:

  • BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY (about 9 miles; STORM LAKE, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,524)
  • WESTERN IOWA TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 74 miles; SIOUX CITY, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,639)
  • IOWA CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 79 miles; FT DODGE, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,807)
  • IOWA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 103 miles; COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,840)
  • METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE AREA (about 106 miles; OMAHA, NE; Full-time enrollment: 6,175)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA (about 113 miles; OMAHA, NE; Full-time enrollment: 10,150)
  • CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY (about 113 miles; OMAHA, NE; Full-time enrollment: 5,806)

Schools

Public high school in Alta:

  • ALTA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 210; Location: 101 W 5TH; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Alta:

  • ALTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 205; Location: 1009 MAIN ST; Grades: PK – 04)
  • ALTA 5-8 MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 184; Location: 1009 MAIN ST; Grades: 05 – 08)

Libraries

Library in Alta:

  • ALTA PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $34,282; Location: 409 W. HWY 7; 12,725 books; 270 audio materials; 348 video materials; 34 serial subscriptions)

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