Altoona, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Altoona, Pennsylvania had a total population of 43,196, the 13th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $51,250, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 Quick Facts
How Altoona Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,508 | 43,196 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $50,171 | $51,250 | +2.2% |
| Median home value | $113,600 | $119,900 | +5.5% |
How Altoona Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Altoona Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Blair County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollidaysburg | 5,558 | $69,458 | 8.2% | $196,100 |
| Tyrone | 5,377 | $57,226 | 11.5% | $139,800 |
| Greenwood | 2,853 | $73,250 | 4.9% | $140,300 |
| Penn Farms | 2,508 | $89,867 | 3.9% | $348,900 |
| Roaring Spring | 2,335 | $62,738 | 13.4% | $142,200 |
| Loop | 2,039 | $91,818 | 4.7% | $245,300 |
| Martinsburg | 1,741 | $71,307 | 8.5% | $157,200 |
| Bellwood | 1,691 | $52,305 | 16.3% | $145,700 |
| Lakemont | 1,644 | $52,955 | 13.1% | $157,100 |
| Claysburg | 1,244 | $53,650 | 23.0% | $159,500 |
Cities Similar to Altoona
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes-Barre | 44,423 | $48,515 | $117,200 | 20.5% | 23.1% |
| York | 44,938 | $48,420 | $119,700 | 17.5% | 21.1% |
| State College | 41,050 | $45,424 | $437,800 | 68.4% | 38.1% |
| Harrisburg | 50,287 | $48,099 | $124,200 | 25.9% | 30.5% |
| Norristown | 35,893 | $66,701 | $213,900 | 23.5% | 18.5% |
Population Overview
Altoona is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Blair County. The total population is 43,196. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Altoona is 40.4 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Altoona is $51,250. This is 34% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is 42% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $119,900. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Altoona is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Altoona has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.6%. The Black or African American population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 8.7%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
20.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Altoona, Pennsylvania is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Altoona, Pennsylvania?
Altoona, Pennsylvania has a population of 43,196 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Altoona, PA?
The median household income in Altoona is $51,250, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Altoona, PA?
The poverty rate in Altoona is 16.6%. This means approximately 6,986 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Altoona, Pennsylvania?
Altoona's population is 88.0% White, 3.6% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Altoona, PA?
The median home value in Altoona is $119,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Altoona, Pennsylvania?
20.5% of adults (25+) in Altoona hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.