Alta Vista is a city in Chickasaw County, Iowa, United States.

[2] The town was first named Elk Creek, but was changed to Alta Vista, meaning "high view" in Spanish.

[3] The George Darrow Round Barn in Alta Vista is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.76 square miles (1.97 km2), all land.

There were 126 housing units at an average density of 167.6 per square mile (64.7/km2).

There were 132 housing units at an average density of 173.7 per square mile (67.1/km2).

37.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

About 10.4% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 9.4% of those 65 or over.