Altoona ZIP Code List — Polk County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Altoona, Iowa and it is 50009. Area code: 515.

ZIP codes

27.91

sq mi land

0.03

sq mi water

515

area code

Altoona, IA ZIP code map

About Altoona, IA

Altoona, Iowa, is a vibrant city located within Polk County. It is known for its friendly community and a variety of amenities that cater to residents and visitors alike. With its rich history and modern developments, Altoona is a place where small-town charm meets urban convenience.

Location & geography

Altoona is positioned just northeast of Des Moines, making it a convenient location for those commuting to the state capital. Nearby cities include Pleasant Hill, located about 5 miles to the southwest, Ankeny roughly 10 miles to the north, and Bondurant approximately 7 miles to the northeast. The city encompasses a land area of 27.91 square miles and features a small water area of 0.03 square miles.

Community & economy

The community of Altoona is characterized by its closely-knit neighborhoods and community-oriented events, contributing to a high quality of life. A diverse mix of industries including retail, healthcare, and education support the local economy, driving daily life and employment opportunities. Residents enjoy various recreational activities, parks, and family-friendly attractions, fostering a sense of belonging and vitality.

Transportation

Altoona is easily accessible via major roadways such as Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 65, providing convenient travel both in and out of the city. The nearest airport is the Des Moines International Airport, located approximately 15 miles to the west, offering regional and national flights for travelers. Public transportation options are also available for local commuting.

History

Altoona was founded in the mid-19th century and has since evolved from a small railway town into a thriving suburban city. Initially, its economy was driven by agriculture and the railroad, but over the years, it has diversified into retail and services. One notable event in its history was the establishment of the Adventureland Park, which has become an iconic destination for family entertainment.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Altoona is that it is home to Adventureland Park, which features a variety of amusement rides and attractions, drawing visitors from across the region. Additionally, the city prides itself on its beautiful parks and recreational areas, making it an appealing destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

ZIP codes for Altoona, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50009	Altoona	Polk	View map

Demographics & statistics

21,402

Population

37.0

Median age

$91,207

Median household income

$42,465

Per capita income

$250,000

Median home value

$1,140

Median monthly rent

71.3%

Home ownership

5.9%

Poverty rate

6.2%

Unemployment

6,183

Housing units

33.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

668

Under 5

694

861

5–9

894

797

10–14

828

562

15–19

585

541

20–24

563

1,492

25–34

1,551

1,565

35–44

1,627

1,226

45–54

1,275

618

55–59

642

645

60–64

671

955

65–74

992

423

75–84

439

141

85+

147

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	5,459	25.5%
18 and over	15,943	74.5%
65 and over	3,097	14.5%
Median age	37.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 88.4%

Two or more races 4.5%

Black or African American 3.1%

Hispanic or Latino 1.6%

Asian 1.3%

Other race 0.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	19,223	88.4%
Two or more races	981	4.5%
Black or African American	682	3.1%
Hispanic or Latino	343	1.6%
Asian	281	1.3%
Other race	123	0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	112	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 2.8%

$10k–$15k 1.2%

$15k–$25k 1.3%

$25k–$35k 7.9%

$35k–$50k 8.1%

$50k–$75k 19.6%

$75k–$100k 15.3%

$100k–$150k 21.4%

$150k–$200k 12.5%

$200k+ 9.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.8%
$10k–$15k	1.2%
$15k–$25k	1.3%
$25k–$35k	7.9%
$35k–$50k	8.1%
$50k–$75k	19.6%
$75k–$100k	15.3%
$100k–$150k	21.4%
$150k–$200k	12.5%
$200k+	9.8%
Median income	$91,207

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.6%

$50k–$100k 1.6%

$100k–$150k 6.9%

$150k–$200k 15.2%

$200k–$300k 39.5%

$300k–$500k 28.1%

$500k–$1M 5.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$250,000
Median rent / month	$1,140
Owner occupied	71.3%
Renter occupied	28.7%
Vacant	4.8%
Single-family detached	62.8%
Large apartment buildings	14.3%
Mobile homes	3.4%
Median rooms	6.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.70

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	2.3%
2010–2019	19.7%
2000–2009	22.6%
1990–1999	17.9%
1980–1989	9.3%
1970–1979	14.1%
1960–1969	6.8%
1950–1959	3.6%
1940–1949	0.9%
1939 or earlier	3.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.7%
1 bedroom	8.3%
2 bedrooms	20.5%
3 bedrooms	39.0%
4 bedrooms	25.5%
5+ bedrooms	6.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.5%
1 vehicle	26.3%
2 vehicles	46.3%
3 or more	24.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	65.7%
Electricity	30.4%
Propane / LP gas	3.4%
Wood	0.1%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,528	55.9%
Cohabiting couple	700	8.6%
Male householder, no spouse	1,018	12.6%
Female householder, no spouse	1,853	22.9%
Households with children under 18	2,783	34.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,037	25.2%
Average household size	2.62

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.3%	25.8%
Married	61.4%	53.1%
Separated	0.3%	0.7%
Widowed	1.2%	4.7%
Divorced	9.8%	15.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.9%

Some HS, no diploma 2.5%

HS graduate 31.6%

Some college, no degree 19.2%

Associate's degree 12.0%

Bachelor's degree 24.4%

Graduate / professional 9.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.6%
Bachelor's or higher	33.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	347	6.7%
Kindergarten	147	2.9%
Elementary school	2,933	57.0%
High school	1,015	19.7%
College / grad school	707	13.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.5%

Retail trade 14.7%

Finance & real estate 14.5%

Professional & management 10.0%

Manufacturing 9.0%

Transportation & utilities 6.2%

Public administration 5.7%

Construction 5.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.1%

Wholesale trade 4.1%

Other services 2.5%

Information 1.6%

Agriculture & mining 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	43.2%
Service	12.7%
Sales & office	25.3%
Natural resources & construction	6.1%
Production & transportation	12.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.2%
Government	15.4%
Self-employed	2.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.7%
Carpool	4.2%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	0.3%
Other means	1.9%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.2

Poverty

All people 5.9%

Under 18 years 3.7%

18 and over 6.6%

Married-couple families 1.6%

Female-led households 11.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	27.7%
Retirement income	25.6%
Supplemental Security	4.9%
Cash public assistance	3.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	26.6%
High cholesterol	30.4%
Heart disease	4.7%
Stroke	2.1%
Asthma	8.8%
Arthritis	19.9%
Kidney disease	2.2%
Pulmonary disease	5.1%
Cancer	5.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	25.6%
No physical activity	19.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.7%
Fair or poor health	10.8%
Poor mental health	14.1%
Poor physical health	7.8%
No health insurance	8.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.7%
Visited dentist	70.9%
Cholesterol screening	88.1%
Teeth loss	10.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,092	6.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	12.1%
Under 18	2.6%
18–64 years	12.0%
65 and over	29.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	80.4%
Public insurance	31.6%
Uninsured under 19	1.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	20,040	93.6%
Spanish	166	0.8%
Other Indo-European	131	0.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	8	0.0%
Other languages	5	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	20,394	95.3%
Born in same state	20,225	94.5%
Born in different state	16,286	76.1%
Foreign born	169	0.8%
Naturalized citizen	1,008	4.7%
Not a US citizen	526	52.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	3,102	14.5%
Italian	2,497	11.7%
English	1,345	6.3%
Arab	1,162	5.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	484	2.3%
Dutch	299	1.4%
Irish	25	0.1%
German	23	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.8%
Internet access	98.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Altoona, IA?

Altoona, IA has one ZIP code: 50009.

What is the main ZIP code for Altoona, IA?

The primary ZIP code for Altoona, IA is 50009. The city uses area code 515 for phone service.

What county is Altoona, IA in?

Altoona is located in Polk County, Iowa.

How many ZIP codes are in Altoona, IA?

Altoona, IA has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Altoona, Iowa?

Downtown Altoona is located in ZIP code 50009, which serves as the primary commercial and civic center of the city in Polk County.

What ZIP code covers the Altoona area near Prairie Meadows Racetrack?

Prairie Meadows Racetrack and the surrounding Altoona area are served by ZIP code 50009, the only ZIP code in the city.