Altoona is a city in Wilson County, Kansas, United States, along the Verdigris River. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city wa…Altoona is a city in Wilson County, Kansas, United States, along the Verdigris River. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 354. Altoona was originally called Geddesburg when it was founded in 1869. It was renamed Altoona in 1870, after Altoona, Pennsylvania. The first post office in Altoona was established in April 1870.