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METRO AREA · 2020 ACS

Altoona Metro

Altoona, PA · 1 counties · 122,822 residents · 525.067 sq mi
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The short version

Altoona has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $50,856. Population has declined 5% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $128,200. With a median age of 44.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
122,822
−5%since 2000
from 129,144 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
234 / sq mi
−5%since 2000
from 246 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.3
+12%since 2000
from 39.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
120K123K126K129K131K1990201020202024Altoona
2024121K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,856
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,861 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,336
+75%since 2000
from $16,743 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.6%
+11.7 ptssince 2009
from 20.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
13.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 12.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.5%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade7.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services3.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$128,200
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $71,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$741
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $411 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
69.7%
−3.2 ptssince 2000
from 72.9% in 2000
30.3% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+17%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Altoona on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.3%(125,641)
Black1.2%(1,495)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(662)
Asian0.4%(461)
Other0%
Diversity Score5%(6,495)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic92%(113,016)
Black2%(2,463)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(1,708)
Asian0.7%(868)
Other2.2%(2,751)
Diversity Score15.5%(18,980)
Segregation Score32.1%(39,431)
Diversity Score
15
+207%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
32
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.3%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.7%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 83.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.1%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.7 min
+58%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 81.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.2%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.7%
−3.0 ptssince 2011
from 7.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.7%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 60.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.6%
−28.6 ptssince 2009
from 61.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
51.1%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.1%
−85.3 ptssince 2013
from 90.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
In this metro

Principal cities

AltoonaCENTRAL42,347
What's inside

1 component county

Blair CountyCENTRAL119,541
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Altoona

Goldsboro
Pop 122,278
Lawton
Pop 127,590
St. Simons
Pop 118,524
Battle Creek
Pop 133,408
Places similar to Altoona
Head to head

Compare Altoona side by side

ALTOONA VS
Goldsboro
Income$59,733+17%
Home value$178,700+39%
Population122,278+2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALTOONA VS
Lawton
Income$60,660+19%
Home value$161,650+26%
Population127,590+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALTOONA VS
St. Simons
Income$66,040+30%
Home value$257,539+101%
Population118,524−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALTOONA VS
Battle Creek
Income$63,177+24%
Home value$162,800+27%
Population133,408+12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Altoona, PA?

Altoona, PA has about 122,822 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Altoona, PA?

The typical household in Altoona, PA earns about $50,856 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Altoona, PA expensive?

In Altoona, PA, the median home is worth about $128,200, and the typical rent is about $741 a month.

How educated are people in Altoona, PA?

About 22.3% of adults age 25 and over in Altoona, PA hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Altoona, PA?

About 13.8% of people in Altoona, PA live below the federal poverty line.

Has Altoona, PA grown since 1990?

Yes, Altoona, PA has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 7,720 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →