QUICK FACTS

Altoona is a eastern suburb of Des Moines with a whole lot going on. Though it has a relatively small population, it is home to both local and regional attractions. Anybody and everybody can find something to do in Altoona!

Population:  21,503 (2022) , up 46.25% from 2010 Census (14,703).

Several large businesses call Altoona home, even a couple of international powerhouses have large warehouses and data centers in the city. Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has an ever expanding data center in Altoona that the company claims will be their biggest data center in the world by 2025 (article here). Amazon has a large distribution center on the Altoona/Bondurant border. Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, located on the northwest side of town, is the largest casino in the state. Next door to the casino is Adventureland, Iowa’s largest theme park.

Fun fact – Kyle Orton a former NFL quarterback, most notably for the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos, was raised in Altoona and attended Southeast Polk High School. 

Schools

 District Map

Altoona, along with Pleasant Hill, Mitchellville, Runnells, and parts of Des Moines, make up the Southeast Polk Community School District. The district is quite large, covering over 114 sq miles is southern Polk County. The high school’s mascot is the Ram, an acronym for the towns that make up the school district, not including Pleasant Hill or Des Moines. 

Four of the school district’s eight middle schools are in Altoona. The middle schools and high school are located in Pleasant Hill.

• • Altoona Elementary 
  • Centennial Elementary 
  • Clay Elementary
  • Willowbrook Elementary

Where to eat?

• • Brick and Ivy – A great game watching spot + has a rooftop patio and was inspired by Wrigley Field
  • Jethro’s N Jake’s Smokehouse Steaks – Every Jethro’s location has a unique speciality, Altoona’s is steaks 
  • Burger Shed – Some of the best and most unique burgers in the metro
  • Scornovacca’s – Delicious pizza made with secret family ingredients
  • The Big Steer Restaurant & Lounge – A supper club style steak house that also claims to serve Iowa’s best prime rib
  • Guadalajara – The favorite local Mexican spot with a great atmosphere 

What to do AND OTHER NEWS

There is a lot to do in Altoona! Some may call it the Entertainment Capital of Iowa, especially with its close proximity to Des Moines. 

• Adventureland Park – Iowa’s largest theme park, home to 35 amusement rides, several arcades and restaurants, live performances, and water park
• Adventure Bay – Attached to Adventureland, this large waterpark has 7 large waterslides, plenty of kids pools, swim up bars, and even a wave pool
• Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino – “Iowa’s favorite place to play” 
• Outlets of Des Moines – Located in Altoona, the outlet mall features 61 stores + several restaurants and lodging options 
• Bass Pro Shop – A 145,000 sq ft, statewide attraction for the fishing and outdoorsy type. 
• Cinemark Altoona and XD – A large, high tech movie theater
• Terrace Hills Golf Course – Altoona’s premier course and driving range