Alta ZIP Codes — Buena Vista County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Alta, Iowa and it is 51002. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

109.69

sq mi land

0.04

sq mi water

712

area code

Alta, IA ZIP code map

About Alta, IA

Alta is a charming city located in Buena Vista County, Iowa. Known for its friendly community and beautiful landscapes, Alta offers both residents and visitors a glimpse into small-town life in the Midwest. The city has a rich local culture, making it a great place to live or visit.

Location & geography

Situated in northwestern Iowa, Alta covers a total land area of 109.69 square miles and features a small water area of 0.04 square miles. This city is surrounded by several nearby towns, including Storm Lake to the southeast at approximately 11 miles, Schaller to the east around 12 miles, and Fonda to the northeast about 15 miles away. The terrain is mostly flat, typical of the Iowa landscape, providing peaceful views and agricultural opportunities.

Community & economy

Alta boasts a close-knit community where residents take pride in their town and actively participate in local events. The primary industries in the area include agriculture and manufacturing, contributing to the economy and sustaining daily life. With various schools, parks, and recreational facilities, families find ample opportunities for leisure and community engagement.

Transportation

Transportation around Alta is convenient, with Iowa Highway 7 running nearby, providing easy access to larger cities. The nearest major airport is in Sioux City, which is about an hour's drive southeast. Local transit options may be limited, but the community is well-connected by road infrastructure.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Alta quickly developed into an agricultural hub thanks to fertile farmland in the surrounding area. The city has seen various industries evolve over the years, playing a significant role in the regional economy. Notable events in Alta’s history include annual community celebrations that highlight local culture and foster camaraderie among residents.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Alta, IA is that the city is home to the Alta Community Theatre, which has been a cultural staple for providing entertainment and showcasing local talent. Additionally, despite its small size, Alta has a rich history of agriculture that dates back to its founding.

ZIP codes for Alta, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51002	Alta	Buena Vista	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,819

Population

36.9

Median age

$71,136

Median household income

$32,789

Per capita income

$133,400

Median home value

$855

Median monthly rent

84.4%

Home ownership

3.9%

Poverty rate

11.6%

Unemployment

948

Housing units

26.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

104

Under 5

101

131

5–9

129

108

10–14

105

15–19

20–24

174

25–34

171

179

35–44

175

210

45–54

206

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	803	28.5%
18 and over	2,016	71.5%
65 and over	365	12.9%
Median age	36.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 74.2%

Asian 8.2%

Hispanic or Latino 5.7%

Black or African American 4.4%

Other race 3.8%

Two or more races 3.4%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	2,218	74.2%
Asian	244	8.2%
Hispanic or Latino	171	5.7%
Black or African American	131	4.4%
Other race	113	3.8%
Two or more races	103	3.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	10	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 0.9%

$10k–$15k 1.7%

$15k–$25k 3.9%

$25k–$35k 9.3%

$35k–$50k 8.0%

$50k–$75k 29.5%

$75k–$100k 15.0%

$100k–$150k 18.8%

$150k–$200k 8.2%

$200k+ 4.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	0.9%
$10k–$15k	1.7%
$15k–$25k	3.9%
$25k–$35k	9.3%
$35k–$50k	8.0%
$50k–$75k	29.5%
$75k–$100k	15.0%
$100k–$150k	18.8%
$150k–$200k	8.2%
$200k+	4.6%
Median income	$71,136

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 18.3%

$50k–$100k 13.1%

$100k–$150k 24.5%

$150k–$200k 18.2%

$200k–$300k 16.4%

$300k–$500k 6.4%

$500k–$1M 3.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$133,400
Median rent / month	$855
Owner occupied	84.4%
Renter occupied	15.6%
Vacant	9.6%
Single-family detached	78.4%
Large apartment buildings	4.8%
Mobile homes	6.7%
Median rooms	6.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.85

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	3.9%
2000–2009	3.4%
1990–1999	9.7%
1980–1989	7.2%
1970–1979	12.9%
1960–1969	12.3%
1950–1959	15.1%
1940–1949	5.4%
1939 or earlier	30.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	4.6%
1 bedroom	4.8%
2 bedrooms	29.4%
3 bedrooms	31.7%
4 bedrooms	21.3%
5+ bedrooms	8.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.2%
1 vehicle	28.2%
2 vehicles	37.4%
3 or more	33.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	46.2%
Electricity	36.7%
Propane / LP gas	15.9%
Fuel oil	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	517	51.8%
Cohabiting couple	74	7.4%
Male householder, no spouse	155	15.5%
Female householder, no spouse	252	25.3%
Households with children under 18	360	36.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	249	24.9%
Average household size	2.81

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.5%	30.7%
Married	51.5%	49.7%
Separated	0.5%	0.0%
Widowed	1.1%	14.6%
Divorced	21.5%	5.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.9%

Some HS, no diploma 8.7%

HS graduate 35.8%

Some college, no degree 15.0%

Associate's degree 12.6%

Bachelor's degree 20.0%

Graduate / professional 6.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.4%
Bachelor's or higher	26.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	52	6.8%
Kindergarten	52	6.8%
Elementary school	381	50.0%
High school	164	21.5%
College / grad school	113	14.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 23.7%

Education & healthcare 20.3%

Retail trade 12.1%

Agriculture & mining 11.5%

Construction 8.5%

Finance & real estate 6.0%

Professional & management 4.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.6%

Transportation & utilities 3.4%

Other services 2.6%

Wholesale trade 1.2%

Public administration 1.2%

Information 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	38.5%
Service	11.5%
Sales & office	16.1%
Natural resources & construction	13.8%
Production & transportation	20.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.6%
Government	10.8%
Self-employed	10.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.4%
Carpool	11.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.3%
Other means	1.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	16.1

Poverty

All people 3.9%

Under 18 years 5.3%

18 and over 3.3%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 16.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	25.5%
Retirement income	18.4%
Supplemental Security	2.4%
Cash public assistance	6.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	12.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.7%
High cholesterol	33.3%
Heart disease	6.8%
Stroke	3.1%
Asthma	9.0%
Arthritis	24.3%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	6.9%
Cancer	7.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.1%
No physical activity	24.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.0%
Fair or poor health	13.3%
Poor mental health	13.0%
Poor physical health	9.7%
No health insurance	10.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.7%
Visited dentist	67.2%
Cholesterol screening	88.4%
Teeth loss	13.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	117	5.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	7.5%
Under 18	0.6%
18–64 years	5.9%
65 and over	30.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	71.6%
Public insurance	40.0%
Uninsured under 19	6.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,614	92.7%
Spanish	148	5.7%
Other Indo-European	87	3.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	61	2.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,435	86.4%
Born in same state	2,424	86.0%
Born in different state	1,997	70.8%
Foreign born	11	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	384	13.6%
Not a US citizen	120	31.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	222	7.9%
French	180	6.4%
Polish	126	4.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	95	3.4%
Dutch	71	2.5%
Arab	54	1.9%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.4%
Internet access	96.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Alta, IA have?

Alta, IA has one ZIP code: 51002. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.