Altoona city, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Altoona city, Pennsylvania has a total population of 43,508, the 13th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $50,171, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Altoona city Quick Facts
How Altoona city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Altoona city Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Blair County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollidaysburg borough | 5,581 | $62,319 | 6.6% | $190,500 |
| Tyrone borough | 5,421 | $55,568 | 13.9% | $122,000 |
| Roaring Spring borough | 2,356 | $62,129 | 13.5% | $136,900 |
| Martinsburg borough | 1,724 | $69,038 | 5.9% | $153,200 |
| Bellwood borough | 1,586 | $55,750 | 16.5% | $138,200 |
| Williamsburg borough | 1,162 | $46,818 | 15.7% | $117,100 |
| Duncansville borough | 1,145 | $58,828 | 9.3% | $132,000 |
| Newry borough | 203 | $46,071 | 20.4% | $133,300 |
Cities Similar to Altoona city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes-Barre city | 44,217 | $47,970 | $108,000 | 19.4% | 21.1% |
| York city | 44,830 | $47,115 | $103,100 | 17.1% | 22.7% |
| State College borough | 40,669 | $47,132 | $414,400 | 70.7% | 39.1% |
| Harrisburg city | 50,092 | $47,783 | $121,000 | 26.3% | 29.1% |
| Norristown borough | 35,782 | $65,058 | $205,100 | 23.7% | 19.0% |
Population Overview
Altoona city is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Blair County. The total population is 43,508. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Altoona city is 39.8 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Altoona city is $50,171. This is 34% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 36% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.8%. This is 60% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $113,600. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Altoona city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Altoona city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.0%. The Black or African American population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 8.4%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.
Education
19.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Altoona city, Pennsylvania is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,993 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Altoona city, Pennsylvania?
Altoona city, Pennsylvania has a population of 43,508 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Altoona city, PA?
The median household income in Altoona city is $50,171, which is 36% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Altoona city, PA?
The poverty rate in Altoona city is 18.8%. This means approximately 7,985 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Altoona city, Pennsylvania?
Altoona city's population is 89.0% White, 3.0% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Altoona city, PA?
The median home value in Altoona city is $113,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Altoona city, Pennsylvania?
19.9% of adults (25+) in Altoona city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.