Alta, Iowa

Alta, Iowa
City
Motto: "Catch the energy"

Location of Alta, Iowa
Coordinates: 42°40′19″N 95°18′17″W / 42.67194°N 95.30472°WCoordinates: 42°40′19″N 95°18′17″W / 42.67194°N 95.30472°W
Country  United States
State  Iowa
County Buena Vista
Area[1]
 • Total 1.07 sq mi (2.77 km2)
 • Land 1.07 sq mi (2.77 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation 1,490 ft (454 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 1,883
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 1,945
 • Density 1,759.8/sq mi (679.5/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 51002
Area code(s) 712
FIPS code 19-01495
GNIS feature ID 0454152

Alta is a city in Buena Vista County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,883 at the 2010 census.

History

Alta was platted in 1872, and it was incorporated in 1879. By 1882, Alta contained three general stores, two drug stores, two grocery stores, a shoe store, two hardware stores, a meat market, two lumber dealers, two agriculture implement dealers, bank two furniture stores, clothing store, barber shop, two saloons, music store, two jewelry stores, restaurant, four blacksmiths, two elevators, and a gristmill.[4]

The fan blade that was torn off of United Airlines Flight 232 in 1989 was found in a cornfield near Alta.

Geography

Alta is located at 42°40′19″N 95°18′17″W / 42.67194°N 95.30472°W (42.672030, -95.304757).[5] It is located 6 miles from the city of Storm Lake. It is around 7 miles from Aurelia, and is located on Highway 7.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.07 square miles (2.77 km2), all of it land.[1]

Demographics

Historical populations
YearPop.±%
1880423—    
1890768+81.6%
1900861+12.1%
1910959+11.4%
19201,290+34.5%
19301,297+0.5%
19401,269−2.2%
19501,348+6.2%
19601,393+3.3%
19701,717+23.3%
19801,720+0.2%
19901,820+5.8%
20001,865+2.5%
20101,883+1.0%
Source:"American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. and Iowa Data Center

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,883 people, 759 households, and 509 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,759.8 inhabitants per square mile (679.5/km2). There were 838 housing units at an average density of 783.2 per square mile (302.4/km2). The racial makeup was 91.3% White, 1.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 4.7% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.7% of the population.

There were 759 households of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.9% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age was 36.5 years. 27.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 17% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 1,865 people, 726 households, and 506 families. The population density was 1,780.4 people per square mile (685.8/km²). There were 791 housing units at an average density of 755.1 per square mile (290.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.44% White, 0.64% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.39% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 4.45% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.62% of the population.

There were 726 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.07.

29.7% are under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,941, and the median income for a family was $40,694. Males had a median income of $29,655 versus $20,368 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,908. About 8.5% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

Industry

Alta is home to the Buena Vista County Fair, held in the end of July. The Buena Vista County Fair includes 4-H and FFA exhibits, various 4-H activities, and various fair board activities, sometimes including demolition derbies, mud volleyball tournaments, and livestock shows. Alta has 2 bars: Century Lanes, that houses an 8 lane bowling alley, and Scooters, that provides a full grill menu. Alta is also home to 3 hair salons, a laundromat, a consignment shop, 2 gas stations, and a public library and public pool. It is quickly becoming known as a "bedroom community" to Storm Lake.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  3. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
  4. ↑ History of Western Iowa, Its Settlement and Growth. Western Publishing Company. 1882. p. 450.
  5. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.

External links

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