Altoona, PA
Demographics And Statistics

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-25

Living In Altoona, Pennsylvania Summary

Life in Altoona research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Altoona over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Altoona:

  • The population in Altoona is 43,508.

  • The median home value in Altoona is $138,040.

  • The median income in Altoona is $50,171.

  • The cost of living in Altoona is 89 which is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • The median rent in Altoona is $789.

  • The unemployment rate in Altoona is 6.7%.

  • The poverty rate in Altoona is 18.8%.

  • The average high in Altoona is 59.6° and the average low is 38.9°.

Altoona SnackAbility

5
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
5/10
Housing
5
Affordability
8
Diversity
5
Safety
N/A
Amenities
9.5
Education
6
Commute
9

Altoona, PA Crime Report

Crime in Altoona summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Altoona. Key points include:

  • There were 927 total crimes in Altoona in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Altoona is 2,185.1 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Altoona is 334.7 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Altoona is 1,850.4 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Altoona is 3.11% above the national average.

927
Total Crimes
3.11%
Above National Average

Crime In Altoona Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Altoona
/ 100k People
Pennsylvania
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 927 2,185.1 1,680.6 2,119.2
Violent Crime 142 334.7 245.6 359.0
Murder 1 2.4 5.0 5.0
Robbery 31 73.1 51.4 61.0
Aggravated Assault 78 183.9 161.4 256.0
Property Crime 785 1,850.4 1,435.0 1,760.0
Burglary 141 332.4 116.7 229.0
Larceny 595 1,402.5 1,129.8 1,272.0
Car Theft 49 115.5 188.5 259.0

Altoona, PA Cost Of Living

Cost of living in Altoona summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Altoona. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around Pennsylvania. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Altoona is 89 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Altoona is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • The median home value in Altoona is $138,040.

  • The median income in Altoona is $50,171.

89
Altoona's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

Cost Of Living In Altoona Comparison Table

Living Expense Altoona Pennsylvania National Average
Overall 89 100 100
Services 94 101 100
Groceries 98 101 100
Health 92 95 100
Housing 56 93 100
Transportation 105 108 100
Utilities 126 108 100

Altoona, PA Weather

  • The average high in Altoona is 59.6° and the average low is 38.9°.

  • There are 83.3 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 39.2 inches of precipitation each year with 29.7 inches of snow.

StatAltoona
Average Annual High59.6
Average Annual Low38.9
Annual Precipitation Days83.3
Average Annual Precipitation39.2
Average Annual Snowfall29.7
59.6°
Average High
83.3
Days of Rain

Altoona, PA Photos

Altoona Downtown From Brush Mountain
Source: Wikipedia User Csoldner187 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Altoona Llyswen Station
Source: Wikipedia User Csoldner187 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Altoona Afd Station
Source: Wikipedia User Csoldner187 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Map Of Altoonac Blair Countyc Pennsylvania Highlighted
Source: Wikipedia User (c)2006 Derek Ramsey (Ram | GFDL 1.2
Thaddeus M
Source: Public Domain
Altoona Pa St Presby Phs
Source: Public Domain
Altoona City Sections V
Source: Wikipedia User Csoldner187 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Altoona Downtown From Th Ward
Source: Wikipedia User Csoldner187 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Altoona Fairview
Source: Wikipedia User Csoldner187 | CC BY-SA 3.0

2 Reviews & Comments About Altoona

Overall User Rating
4.0
/5

HomeSnacks User - 2018-08-05 00:59:13.228126

Altoona is an excellent place to go, either for recreation, shopping, or staying the night. The cops keep things nice and safe. The air is clean, and the roads are well-kept. Traffic sometimes get busy, but that is to be expected in a big small-town. The most important aspect of Altoona that stands out are the shops and the options you have. There is literally food on every street corner, two separate malls, and hundreds, maybe thousands, of places to go and see. It also has some public transit, libraries, plenty of doctors' offices, and I hear, good schools, and some nearby colleges. Another good aspect of this town is that, if you can't find it here, Altoona is kind of a hub that is connected to somewhere where you will find what you're looking for. If you like train watching, there are several vantage points from which to view, and taking the highway route 22, from Gallitzin, you will be able to see the famous Horseshoe Curve.

If you plan to visit, you may want to use Google maps and familiarize yourself with the road system. In-town Altoona, as we call it here, is where the UPMC Altoona hospital is. That is near the 'old section' of town, and is kind of dumpy and run-down but still nice. The 'new' section of the city is heading more towards Duncansville, which is sometimes confused with Altoona. This is where the action starts! You've got the Logan Valley Mall, Wal-Mart, two movie theaters, and other things. Heading more towards Duncansville but splitting off, you've got the road to Hollidaysburg, another nice little town, which is kind of ritzy. You can use Convention Center Boulevard behind Wal-Mart to make a short cut to this road, then make a right, and you'll get on a split two-lane, two-way road. When I was little, as an out-of-towner, I remember that one summer my mother took my brother and I every day to Altoona and we all shopped and just ran through the mall!! That was back when arcades were still around. I love that mall! Most malls have suffered over the years, but it is almost fully stocked with stores.


HomeSnacks User - 2019-03-24 09:23:30.510308

Everything here is out dated. The wind never stops. There is nothing to do.

Just dont go to the 16602 area code.

Review Where You Live

Rankings for Altoona in Pennsylvania

Locations Around Altoona

Map Of Altoona, PA

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Altoona Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Altoona

The current population in Altoona is 43,508. The population has decreased -7.2% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2023 43,508 -0.7%
2022 43,821 -0.7%
2021 44,114 1.0%
2020 43,669 -0.7%
2019 43,987 -0.9%
2018 44,372 -0.8%
2017 44,749 -1.0%
2016 45,209 -1.3%
2015 45,814 -0.4%
2014 45,987 -0.5%
2013 46,195 -0.5%
2012 46,434 -0.5%
2011 46,662 -0.5%
2010 46,883 -

Race / Ethnicity in Altoona

White
89.1% (38,746)
African American
3.1% (1,329)
American Indian
0.1% (32)
Asian
0.5% (227)
Hawaiian
0.0% (10)
Other
0.1% (65)
Two Or More
5.4% (2,333)
Hispanic
1.8% (766)

Altoona is:

  • 89.1% White with 38,746 White residents.

  • 3.1% African American with 1,329 African American residents.

  • 0.1% American Indian with 32 American Indian residents.

  • 0.5% Asian with 227 Asian residents.

  • 0.0% Hawaiian with 10 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.1% Other with 65 Other residents.

  • 5.4% Two Or More with 2,333 Two Or More residents.

  • 1.8% Hispanic with 766 Hispanic residents.

Race Altoona PA USA
White 89.1% 73.8% 58.2%
African American 3.1% 10.3% 12.0%
American Indian 0.1% 0.1% 0.5%
Asian 0.5% 3.7% 5.7%
Hawaiian 0.0% 0.0% 0.2%
Other 0.1% 0.4% 0.5%
Two Or More 5.4% 3.3% 3.9%
Hispanic 1.8% 8.4% 19.0%

Gender in Altoona

Female
50.8% (22,119)
Male
49.2% (21,389)
  • Altoona is 50.8% female with 22,119 female residents.

  • Altoona is 49.2% male with 21,389 male residents.

Gender Altoona PA USA
Female 50.8% 50.7% 50.5%
Male 49.2% 49.3% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Altoona for adults over 25

  • 1.0% of adults in Altoona completed < 9th grade.

  • 6.0% of adults in Altoona completed 9-12th grade.

  • 50.0% of adults in Altoona completed high school / ged.

  • 15.0% of adults in Altoona completed some college.

  • 8.0% of adults in Altoona completed associate's degree.

  • 15.0% of adults in Altoona completed bachelor's degree.

  • 4.0% of adults in Altoona completed master's degree.

  • 1.0% of adults in Altoona completed professional degree.

  • 0.0% of adults in Altoona completed doctorate degree.

< 9th Grade
1.0% (435)
9-12th Grade
6.0% (2,610)
High School / GED
50.0% (21,754)
Some College
15.0% (6,526)
Associate's Degree
8.0% (3,480)
Bachelor's Degree
15.0% (6,526)
Master's Degree
4.0% (1,740)
Professional Degree
1.0% (435)
Doctorate Degree
0.0% (0)
Education Altoona PA USA
< 9th Grade 1.0% 3.0% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 6.0% 5.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 50.0% 33.0% 26.0%
Some College 15.0% 15.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 8.0% 9.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 15.0% 21.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 4.0% 10.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 1.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 0.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Altoona, Pennsylvania

  • 6.2% of households in Altoona earn Less than $10,000.

  • 7.6% of households in Altoona earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 11.3% of households in Altoona earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 9.5% of households in Altoona earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 15.3% of households in Altoona earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 17.4% of households in Altoona earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 10.4% of households in Altoona earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 13.7% of households in Altoona earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 6.2% of households in Altoona earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 2.4% of households in Altoona earn $200,000 or more.

Less than $10,000
6.2% (271,895)
$10,000 to $14,999
7.6% (329,990)
$15,000 to $24,999
11.3% (490,399)
$25,000 to $34,999
9.5% (413,253)
$35,000 to $49,999
15.3% (664,215)
$50,000 to $74,999
17.4% (755,004)
$75,000 to $99,999
10.4% (453,472)
$100,000 to $149,999
13.7% (595,536)
$150,000 to $199,999
6.2% (270,954)
$200,000 or more
2.4% (106,076)
Income Altoona PA USA
Less than $10,000 6.2% 4.8% 4.9%
$10,000 to $14,999 7.6% 3.7% 3.6%
$15,000 to $24,999 11.3% 7.0% 6.6%
$25,000 to $34,999 9.5% 7.1% 6.8%
$35,000 to $49,999 15.3% 10.7% 10.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 17.4% 16.1% 15.7%
$75,000 to $99,999 10.4% 12.9% 12.7%
$100,000 to $149,999 13.7% 17.6% 17.4%
$150,000 to $199,999 6.2% 9.0% 9.3%
$200,000 or more 2.4% 11.1% 12.6%

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