Alta is a city in Buena Vista County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,087 at the 2020 census. History Alta was platted in 1872, and it was incorporated in 1878. By 2004, 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. Halvor H. Peterson (1831–1917), Wisconsin State Assemblyman and farmer, lived in Alta. Geography Alta is located at (42.672030, -95.304757). It is six miles from the city of Storm Lake and is approximately seven miles from Aurelia, and is located on Highway 7. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. Demographics 2010 census As of the census of 2010, there were 1,883 people, 759 households, and 509 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 838 housing units at an average density of . 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 of 2000, there were 1,865 people, 726 households, and 506 families. The population density was . There were 791 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 92.44% White, 0.64% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.39%