The settlement of Altoona began in 1881 when the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway selected the site for a new terminal to replace the overcrowded existing terminal in Eau Claire. The railroad had originally planned to put the new terminal in Fall Creek, but the city of Eau Claire lobbied for a site closer to the existing one, and representatives from Eau Claire and the railroad walked the tracks from Fall Creek to Eau Claire to determine a suitable site. When the location of present-day Altoona - approximately three miles east of the existing Eau Claire terminal - was found to have sufficient flat land and access to water, the railroad began construction of the new terminal and the community of "East Eau Claire" was platted in October. Residents began moving into the community in early 1882 and the railroad terminal became operational in May of that year. However, confusion between the "Eau Claire" and "East Eau Claire" stations quickly caused the railroad to rename the new terminal "Altoona" on October 14, 1882. Altoona was incorporated as a city on April 5, 1887. Continued growth in both Altoona and Eau Claire over the past century has left the two cities adjacent to one another, with Fairfax St. and Bus. 53 providing a general boundary between the two, although the actual border is irregular. County Highway AA generally forms the eastern limits of the city. Altoona is bounded on the north by Lake Altoona and the Eau Claire River. To the south, the city limits generally follow Otter Creek.
Geography
Altoona is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which, is land and is water. Altoona is situated near Lake Altoona, a man-made lake, with water provided by the Eau Claire River.
Demographics
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 6,706 people, 2,883 households, and 1,775 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 3,288 housing units at an average density of. The racial makup of the city was 93.5% White, 0.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5%. Of the 2,883 households 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.4% were non-families. 31.3% of households were one person and 14.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 37.4 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.2% were from 25 to 44; 24.6% were from 45 to 64; and 15.8% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.
At the 2000 census there were 6,698 people, 2,844 households, and 1,731 families living in the city. The population density was 1,638.6 people per square mile. There were 3,063 housing units at an average density of 749.4 per square mile. The racial makup of the city was 95.89% White, 0.40% African American, 0.58% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73%. Of the 2,844 households 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 31.6% of households were one person and 14.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.92. The age distribution was 24.3% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males. The median household income was $40,394 and the median family income was $49,441. Males had a median income of $33,505 versus $22,200 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,236. About 4.4% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.
Altoona is a part of the Eau Claire media market; until early 2009, it was served by its own free weekly newspaper, the Altoona Star. Altoona is also home to the studios and offices of Mid-West Family Broadcasting stations WAYY, WEAQ, WECL, WIAL, WAXX, and WDRK-FM.
