Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 20 min5:43 am – 9:02 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 2 min7:48 am – 4:50 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People2,787 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 35.81,053 householdsMedian household income $70,625Median home value $167,100Median rent $953 a month78% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $1,565 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting14.3% unemployment rate75% of adults are in the labour force, 1,379 employedMain industries: education and health care 24%, manufacturing 24%, retail 9%Average commute 16 minutes77% drive alone, 17% car-pool, 5% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages27% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher90% finished high school, 7% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 73%, other Asian or Pacific languages 14%, Spanish 8%, other languages 4%11% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 82°F, lows 64°FColdest month January: highs 26°F, lows 9°F34 in of rain a yearwettest month June38 in of snow a year, on about 20 days10 days above 90°F, 151 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Storm Lake station, 7 mi away; snow from Cherokee
Nearby landmarksLarson Lakelake · 4.0 miCasino Beachbeach · 7.0 miStorm Lakelake · 7.7 miBuena Vista Universitycollege · 7.0 miLakeside Beachbeach · 9.3 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsLarson Lake Park Areapark · 3.9 miLittle Storm Lake Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 5.4 mi · 274 acresCasino Bay Accessstate recreation area · 6.8 miBel Air Accessstate recreation area · 9.1 miPheasant Hills Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 12.6 mi · 189 acresBluebird Accessstate recreation area · 13.8 miSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
EarthquakesNone of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 1970Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Very LowBuena Vista County, IA, compared with all US countiesHighest-rated hazardsHail Relatively ModerateWinter weather Relatively ModerateSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality72% of days had good air in 2025263 of 364 days measured92 moderate, 9 unhealthy for sensitive groups daysMedian index 40, worst day 134main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Palo Alto County, IA, 42 mi away
Internet at home95% of households have a broadband subscription65% have cable, fibre or DSL17% rely on a mobile data plan alone4% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterAlta Municipal Water Plantserves 2,087 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation1,474 ft449 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalBuena Vista Regional Medical Center6.3 miPost officeAlta Post Office2.0 miTown hallAlta City Hall2.2 miPoliceAlta City Police Department2.2 miFire stationAlta Fire and Rescue2.2 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeBuena Vista University7.0 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportSioux Gateway Airport / Brigadier General Bud Day Field SUX58 miMajor airportEppley Airfield OMA101 miUS highwayUS 5912 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 51002 ZIP area.
