Altoona (Alabama)

Altoona is a town in Etowah County (and a small portion of Blount County) in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2010 census the population was 933.HistoryAltoona had its start in the year 1900 as a mining town, and was named for another coal town, Altoona, Pennsylvania. A post office has been in operation at Altoona since 1900. It incorporated in 1908.GeographyAltoona is located in western Etowah County at . The town extends west into Blount County. It is located in the Murphree Valley at the base of Altoona Mountain. Straight Mountain is a small, narrow ridge which runs nearly through the center of the town. Alabama State Route 132 leads southwest 10mi to Oneonta, the Blount County seat, and northeast towards Gadsden via U.S. Route 278.According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 11.2km2, of which 0.03km2, or 0.23%, is water.Demographics2000 Census dataAs of the census of 2000, there were 984 people, 397 households, and 271 families residing in the town. The population density was 258.7 people per square mile (100.0/km²). There were 437 housing units at an average density of 114.9 per square mile (44.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.43% White, 2.54% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.91% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 2.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.