Altoona, PA

Full City Profile · Pennsylvania · Blair County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
43,508 Population 4,444/sq mi density
$50,171 Median Income $30,116 per capita
$113,600 Home Value $139,939 Zillow
$789 Median Rent 31.0% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
335 Violent Crime/100K 1,872 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$50,171 median income, 6.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$113,600 home value, $789/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
335 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.9% bachelor's degree or higher

Altoona, PA

At a Glance

Median Income
$50,171
33% below
$30,116 per capita
Home Value
$113,600
60% below
Zillow: $139,939
Median Rent
$789/mo
32% below
31.0% of income on rent
Violent Crime
335/100K
12% below
1,872/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
19.9%
41% below
92.6% high school+
Unemployment
6.7%
86% above
13.9% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
31.9%
1% below
Avg Temperature
50°F

How Altoona Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Altoona's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
67%
Home Value
40%
Rent
68%
Poverty
112%
Bachelor's
59%
Unemployment
186%
Crime
88%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Altoona a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Altoona residents earn a median household income of $50,171 , which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $30,116. The unemployment rate stands at 6.7% (86% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 13.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 3,430 business establishments, including 305 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Altoona is $113,600 , 60% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $139,939. Median rent is $789/month, with 31.0% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 97.6 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1943.

Safety & Crime

Altoona reports 335 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 12% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 1,872/100K. The murder rate is 2.4/100K.

Education

19.9% of adults in Altoona hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below the national average). 92.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.9/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Altoona has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Data Overview

People

Population43,508
Median Age39.8 yrs
Density4,444/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born1.3%
Veterans8.1%

Economy

C+
Median Income$50,171
Per Capita$30,116
Unemployment6.7%
Poverty13.9%
County GDP$8,000M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,024

Housing

A+
Home Value$113,600
Rent$789
Ownership64.2%
Zillow$139,939
Housing Units20,849
Rent Burden31.0%

Crime

F
Violent335/100K
Property1,872/100K
Murder2.4/100K
Assault184/100K
Burglary330/100K

Health

Obesity31.9%
Premature Death10,059/100K

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
Rain44.7 in/yr
AQI37 (Good)
Elevation1,168 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.9%
High School+92.6%
Graduate+5.4%
School Score5.9/10

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute19 min
Broadband84.6%
Internet Speed104 Mbps
EV Stations7
Libraries8

Did You Know?

Altoona was founded in 1849.
The median home in Altoona was built in 1943.
The nearest airport is State College Regional (42 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.445 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
18.3% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 104 Mbps.
There are 305 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 12 fatal vehicle crashes.