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Nearest Communities to Altoona,
Listed County-By-County

The purpose of this page is to identify those communities that are closest to Altoona, on a County-by-County basis. To explain further, let's use the example from the Genealogy Helper Page for Altoona:

We have great-grandparents who lived in a small city in the northeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals and doctors were in the next county to the east. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the north.

When doing our research, we make it a practice to expand our search by looking in neighboring counties in addition to the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the east contained birth and death records; the county to the north contained their burial records. If we hadn't checked the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

Keep in mind that when we give a distance, it's a 'straight-line' distance from Altoona.<1>

If you're researching your genealogy, we hope that the following information helps.

Altoona is located in Polk County.

The following 7 counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Polk County: Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Story & Warren.

Our Gazetteer shows that there are 180 communities within 40 miles [64.4 km]<1> of Altoona. Of these communities, 114 are located in counties other than Polk County.

We usually exclude communities where we still need to verify their location,<2> but for the purpose of this page, we have included the unverified ('unver') and historic ('hist') communities.

After starting with the home county for Altoona (which is Polk County), we list the counties in alphabetical order and for each of those counties, the closest communities are listed in order of their distance from Altoona

For the following list, only those counties that contain communities within 40 miles [64.4 km] are displayed.

  • Polk County   (where Altoona resides)
    • County Website:   https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/
    • County Seat for Polk:   Des Moines
    • Genealogy Websites   ...
    • Nearest Communities to Altoona   ...
      • These communities are listed by their distance from Altoona.
      • Capitol Heights
        (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
        • Capitol Heights is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Capitol Heights
      • Bondurant
        (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
      • Berwick
        (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
      • White Oak
        (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
        • White Oak is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White Oak
      • Rising Sun
        (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Country Estate Village
        (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Bowsher
        (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
        • Bowsher is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bowsher
      • Norwoodville
        (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
        • Norwoodville is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Norwoodville
      • Carbondale
        (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
        • Carbondale is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carbondale
      • Ivy
        (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
        • Ivy is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ivy
      • Easton Place
        (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
        • Easton Place is located in Polk County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Easton Place
      • Pleasant Hill
        (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Continue List   (54 more) ...
        • Quilhart ‑ Historic
          (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
          • Quilhart is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Quilhart
        • Hastie
          (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
          • Hastie is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hastie
        • Swanwood
          (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
          • Swanwood is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Swanwood
        • Mitchellville
          (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
        • Enterprise
          (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
          • Enterprise is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Enterprise
        • Carney
          (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
        • Oralabor
          (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
          • Oralabor is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oralabor
        • Saylor Station
          (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
          • Saylor Station is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saylor Station
        • Woodland Hills
          (6 miles [9.7 km] to the south)
          • Woodland Hills is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodland Hills
        • East Des Moines
          (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
          • East Des Moines is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Des Moines
        • Marquisville
          (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
        • Saylor
          (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
          • Saylor is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saylor
        • Santiago
          (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
        • Levey
          (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
          • Levey is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Levey
        • Des Moines
          (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
        • Saylorville
          (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
          • Saylorville is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saylorville
        • Ankeny
          (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
        • Adelphi
          (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
        • Avon Lake
          (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
          • Avon Lake is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avon Lake
        • Avon
          (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
          • Avon is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Avon
        • Carlisle
          (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
        • Elkhart
          (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
        • Fort Des Moines
          (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
          • Fort Des Moines is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fort Des Moines
        • South Ridge Estates
          (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
          • South Ridge Estates is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for South Ridge Estates
        • Lovington
          (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
          • Lovington is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lovington
        • Runnells
          (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
        • Farrar
          (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
          • Farrar is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Farrar
        • Corydon ‑ Historic
          (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
          • Corydon is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Corydon
        • The Meadows
          (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
          • The Meadows is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for The Meadows
        • Millman
          (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
          • Millman is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Millman
        • Valley Junction
          (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
          • Valley Junction is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Valley Junction
        • Camp Dodge
          (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
          • Camp Dodge is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Camp Dodge
        • Crestwood
          (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
          • Crestwood is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crestwood
        • Johnston
          (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
        • Windsor Heights
          (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
        • Loring
          (13 miles [20.9 km] to the north)
        • Alleman
          (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
        • Crocker
          (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
          • Crocker is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crocker
        • Polk City
          (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
        • Norwalk
          (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
        • Ashawa
          (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
          • Ashawa is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ashawa
        • Herrold
          (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
        • Rider
          (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
          • Rider is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rider
        • Andrews
          (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
        • Polk City Junction
          (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
        • Urbandale
          (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
        • West Des Moines
          (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
        • Commerce
          (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
        • Campbell
          (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
          • Campbell is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Campbell
        • Clive
          (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
        • Grimes
          (16 miles [25.7 km] to the west)
        • Sheldahl
          (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
        • Oakwood Station ‑ Historic
          (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
          • Oakwood Station is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oakwood Station
        • Ottawa
          (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
          • Ottawa is located in Polk County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ottawa
  • Boone County
  • Dallas County
  • Jasper County
  • Madison County
  • Marion County
    • County Website:   https://www.marioncountyiowa.gov/
    • County Seat for Marion:   Knoxville
    • Genealogy Websites   ...
    • Nearest Communities to Altoona   ...
      • These communities are listed by their distance from Altoona.
      • Morgin Valley ‑ Historic
        (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
        • Morgin Valley is located in Marion County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Morgin Valley
      • Swan
        (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
      • Percy ‑ Historic
        (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
        • Percy is located in Marion County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Percy
      • Pleasantville
        (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Cordova
        (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
        • Cordova is located in Marion County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cordova
      • Caloma
        (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
        • Caloma is located in Marion County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Caloma
      • Donley Station ‑ Historic
        (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
        • Donley Station is located in Marion County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Donley Station
      • Donnelley
        (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
        • Donnelley is located in Marion County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Donnelley
      • Otley
        (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Eifield ‑ Historic
        (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
        • Eifield is located in Marion County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eifield
      • Knoxville
        (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
  • Marshall County
    • County Website:   https://www.marshallcountyia.gov/
    • County Seat for Marshall:   Marshalltown
    • Genealogy Websites   ...
    • Nearest Communities to Altoona   ...
      • These communities are listed by their distance from Altoona.
      • Edenville
        (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
        • Edenville is located in Marshall County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Edenville
      • Rhodes
        (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
        • Rhodes is located in Marshall County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rhodes
        • Population from the 2020 Census: 298 people
      • Melbourne
        (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Malta
        (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
        • Malta is located in Marshall County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Malta
      • State Center Junction
        (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
        • State Center Junction is located in Marshall County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for State Center Junction
      • State Center
        (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Story County
  • Warren County
    • County Website:   https://www.warrencountyia.gov/
    • County Seat for Warren:   Indianola
    • Genealogy Websites   ...
    • Nearest Communities to Altoona   ...
      • These communities are listed by their distance from Altoona.
      • Scotch Ridge
        (12 miles [19.3 km] to the south)
        • Scotch Ridge is located in Warren County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Scotch Ridge
      • Ford
        (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
        • Ford is located in Warren County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ford
      • Hartford
        (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
      • Palmyra
        (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
      • Summerset Junction ‑ Historic
        (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
        • Summerset Junction is located in Warren County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summerset Junction
      • Lakewood
        (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Greenbush
        (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
        • Greenbush is located in Warren County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenbush
      • Summerset
        (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
        • Summerset is located in Warren County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summerset
      • Orillia
        (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Cumming
        (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southwest)
      • Spring Hill
        (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
        • Spring Hill is located in Warren County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spring Hill
        • Population from the 2020 Census: 65 people
      • Ackworth
        (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
        • Ackworth is located in Warren County
        • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ackworth
        • Population from the 2020 Census: 105 people
      • Continue List   (17 more) ...
        • Beech
          (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
          • Beech is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beech
        • Indianola
          (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
        • Sandyville
          (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
        • Prole
          (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
          • Prole is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prole
        • Clarkson ‑ Historic
          (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
          • Clarkson is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clarkson
        • Churchville
          (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
        • Martensdale
          (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
        • Hammondsburgh ‑ Historic
          (23 miles [37 km] to the south)
          • Hammondsburgh is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hammondsburgh
        • Milo
          (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
        • Conger
          (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
          • Conger is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Conger
        • Wick
          (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
          • Wick is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wick
        • Bevington
          (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
        • Saint Marys
          (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
          • Saint Marys is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Marys
          • Population from the 2020 Census: 127 people
        • West Saint Marys
          (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
          • West Saint Marys is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Saint Marys
        • Lawrenceburg
          (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
          • Lawrenceburg is located in Warren County
          • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lawrenceburg
        • Cool
          (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
        • Liberty Center
          (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)

Footnotes ...

<1>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Altoona) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<2>Our data comes from many sources and some sources are more dependable than others. When we add communities to our Gazetteer, we try to verify that we have the correct location for the community. We mark a community as 'Unverified' when we aren't confident about our data and want to do further checking.

We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now.

Since our Gazetteer contains over 100,000 communities, verifying everything is going to take time. If you find an error or can help us to improve our accuracy, please let us know.
<3>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.