Altoona, PA

Census Place

Add Comparison

Population

44,372

0.842% 1-year decline

US Senator

Bob Casey Jr.

Democratic Party

US Senator

Pat Toomey

Republican Party

Median Age

38.3

Poverty Rate

22.7%

Median Household Income

$40,536

5.04% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$88,600

1.14% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

19,499

0.708% 1-year decline

About

In 2018, Altoona, PA had a population of 44.4k people with a median age of 38.3 and a median household income of $40,536. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Altoona, PA declined from 44,749 to 44,372, a -0.842% decrease and its median household income grew from $38,592 to $40,536, a 5.04% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Altoona, PA are White (Non-Hispanic) (91.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.46%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.49%), White (Hispanic) (1.46%), and Other (Hispanic) (0.575%). NaNk% of the people in Altoona, PA speak a non-English language, and 99.8% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Altoona, PA are Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona (369 degrees awarded in 2017), Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (198 degrees), and YTI Career Institute-Altoona (109 degrees).

The median property value in Altoona, PA is $88,600, and the homeownership rate is 63.6%. Most people in Altoona, PA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 17.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Altoona, PA is 2 cars per household.

United States Pennsylvania Blair County, PA Altoona, PA Altoona City PUMA, PA

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Pennsylvania. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Pennsylvania, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Pennsylvania (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Pennsylvania across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Blair County, PA went to Donald J. Trump with 71.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (25.4%), followed by Other (3.31%). The most partisan county was Fulton County, PA with 84.1% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Bob Casey Jr. and Pat Toomey are the senators currently representing the state of Pennsylvania. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Pennsylvania is currently represented by 18 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Altoona, PA. Showing the available data for Blair County, PA.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (71.3%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (25.4%)
Democratic Party
Other (3.31%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Pennsylvania went to Donald J. Trump with 71.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (25.4%), followed by Other (3.31%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Pennsylvania for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Pennsylvania.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Blair County, PA

71.3% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Pennsylvania

Fulton County, PA
84.1% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Bedford County, PA
82.7% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Philadelphia County, PA
82.5% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Pennsylvania was Fulton County, PA with 84.1% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Pennsylvania colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Pennsylvania

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

Bob Casey Jr.

Senator from Pennsylvania

Assumed office on January 3, 2007

Pat Toomey

Senator from Pennsylvania

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Bob Casey Jr. and Pat Toomey are the senators currently representing Pennsylvania.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Pennsylvania over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is currently represented by 18 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Pennsylvania have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Altoona, PA is home to a population of 44.4k people, from which 99.8% are citizens. As of 2018, 1% of Altoona, PA residents were born outside of the country (445 people).

In 2018, there were 26.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (40.6k people) in Altoona, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.54k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.11k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Altoona, PA

White (Non-Hispanic)
40.6k ± 356
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
1.54k ± 260
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
1.11k ± 241

2.22%

Hispanic Population

986 people

2.22% of the people in Altoona, PA are hispanic (986 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Altoona, PA as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

2018 Foreign-Born Population

445 people

0.74%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

331 people

As of 2018, 1% of Altoona, PA residents (445 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Altoona, PA was 0.74%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Altoona, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.8

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 18.9

In 2018, the median age of all people in Altoona, PA was 38.3. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 38, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 39. But people in Altoona, PA are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Altoona, PA residents was 38.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

Most Common Origin

India
81,562 ± 6,989 people
China
63,036 ± 6,149 people
Mexico
54,918 ± 5,741 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Pennsylvania was India, the natal country of 81,562 Pennsylvania residents, followed by China with 63,036 and Mexico with 54,918.

Citizenship

99.8%

2018 Citizenship

99.8%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 99.8% of Altoona, PA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Altoona, PA was 99.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Altoona, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,067 ± 157
Gulf War (1990s)
557 ± 167
Gulf War (2001-)
549 ± 127

Altoona, PA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.92 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Altoona, PA is $40,536. In 2018, the place with the highest Median Household Income in Altoona, PA was Census Tract 1002 with a value of $60,827, followed by Census Tract 1011 and Census Tract 1008, with respective values of $53,214 and $49,286.

Males in Pennsylvania have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $49,502. The income inequality in Pennsylvania (measured using the Gini index) is 0.469, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Altoona, PA employs 19.5k people. The largest industries in Altoona, PA are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,712 people), Retail Trade (2,859 people), and Manufacturing (1,707 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($82,656), Utilities ($56,196), and Public Administration ($50,630).

Wages

Median Household Income

$40,536

2018 value

± $1,904

5.04%

1 Year Growth

± 5.96%

Households in Altoona, PA have a median annual income of $40,536, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $38,592 in 2017, which represents a 5.04% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Altoona, PA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

$67,039

Average Male Salary in Pennsylvania

± $1,040

$49,502

Average Female Salary in Pennsylvania

± $757

In 2017, full-time male employees in Pennsylvania made 1.35 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Pennsylvania by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Pennsylvania

Asian
$61,450 ± $4,076
White
$51,412 ± $642
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$38,644 ± $21,965

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Pennsylvania workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.2 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Pennsylvania.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Pennsylvania by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Altoona, PA is from Pennsylvania.

0.469

2017 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

0.469

2016 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

In 2017, the income inequality in Pennsylvania was 0.469 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.19% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Pennsylvania was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Pennsylvania in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Pennsylvania across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 1002
Census Tract 1011
Census Tract 1008

In 2018, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Altoona, PA was Census Tract 1002 with a value of $60,827, followed by Census Tract 1011 and Census Tract 1008, with respective values of $53,214 and $49,286.

The following map shows all of the places in Altoona, PA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

22.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Altoona, PA (9.87k out of 43.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 18 - 24.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
8,307 ± 596
Two Or More
723 ± 186
Black
677 ± 209

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Altoona, PA is White, followed by Two Or More and Black.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

19.5k

2018 Value

± 806

-0.708%

1 Year decline

± 5.91%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Altoona, PA declined at a rate of -0.708%, from 19.6k employees to 19.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Altoona, PA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,750 people), Sales & Related Occupations (2,280 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1,437 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Altoona, PA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Altoona, PA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,750 people), Sales & Related Occupations (2,280 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1,437 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Altoona, PA has an unusually high number of residents working as Community & Social Service Occupations (1.83 times higher than expected), Health Technologists & Technicians (1.71 times), and Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (1.69 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Altoona, PA, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($61,438), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($58,942), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($54,000).

Industries

Employment by Industries

19.5k

2018 Value

± 806

-0.708%

1 Year decline

± 5.91%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Altoona, PA declined at a rate of -0.708%, from 19.6k employees to 19.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Altoona, PA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,712 people), Retail Trade (2,859 people), and Manufacturing (1,707 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Altoona, PA, though some of these residents may live in Altoona, PA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Altoona, PA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,712 people), Retail Trade (2,859 people), and Manufacturing (1,707 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Altoona, PA has an unusually high number of Transportation & Warehousing (1.38 times higher than expected), Health Care & Social Assistance (1.37 times), and Retail Trade (1.3 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Altoona, PA, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($82,656), Utilities ($56,196), and Public Administration ($50,630).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Pennsylvania to other states, or from other states to Pennsylvania.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2015, the top outbound Pennsylvania product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $83B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($50.6B) and Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Pennsylvania products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Pennsylvania.

$618B

2015 Value in Pennsylvania

$954B

Projected 2045 Value in Pennsylvania

54.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound Pennsylvania trade was $618B. This is expected to increase 54.4% to $954B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Pennsylvania trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Pennsylvania to other states, or from other states to Pennsylvania.

Most Common Trade Partners

New York
$61B
New Jersey
$57.7B
Ohio
$33.1B

In 2015, the top outbound Pennsylvania domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $61B, followed by New Jersey with $57.7B and Ohio and $33.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Pennsylvania shares with each state (excluding itself).

Education

In 2017, universities in Altoona, PA awarded 727 degrees. The student population of Altoona, PA is skewed towards men, with 2,028 male students and 1,913 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Altoona, PA are White (659 and 90.6%), followed by Black or African American (33 and 4.54%), Two or More Races (13 and 1.79%), and Hispanic or Latino (12 and 1.65%).

The largest universities in Altoona, PA by number of degrees awarded are Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona (369 and 50.8%), Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (198 and 27.2%), and YTI Career Institute-Altoona (109 and 15%).

The most popular majors in Altoona, PA are Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (64 and 8.8%), Electrical & Electronics Engineering (55 and 7.57%), and General Business (49 and 6.74%).

The median tuition costs in Altoona, PA are $N/A for private four year colleges, and $14,214 and $22,716 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Electrical & Electronics Engineering
55 degree-majorss awarded
General Business
45 degree-majorss awarded
Criminal Justice - Safety Studies
36 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Altoona, PA was Electrical & Electronics Engineering with 55 degree-majorss awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Altoona, PA according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
369 degrees awarded
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center
198 degrees awarded
YTI Career Institute-Altoona
109 degrees awarded

$14,214

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2017, the Altoona, PA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona with 369 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

269

Degrees Awarded to Men

458

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 269 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Altoona, PA, which is 0.587 times less than the 458 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Altoona, PA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
659 degrees awarded
Black or African American
33 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
13 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Altoona, PA were to White students. These 659 degrees mean that there were 20 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 33 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Altoona, PA was $88,600 in 2018, which is 0.386 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $87,600 to $88,600, a 1.14% increase. The homeownership rate in Altoona, PA is 63.6%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Altoona, PA have an average commute time of 17.6 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Altoona, PA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$88,600

2018 Median

± $2,531

$87,600

2017 Median

± $2,219

In 2018, the median property value in Altoona, PA grew to to $88,600 from the previous year's value of $87,600.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Altoona, PA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Altoona, PA the largest share of households have a property value in the N/A range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$40,536

Median Household Income

± $1,904

18.7k

Number of Households

± 795

In 2018, the median household income of the 18.7k households in Altoona, PA grew to $40,536 from the previous year's value of $38,592.

The following chart displays the households in Altoona, PA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Altoona, PA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Altoona, PA the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

63.6%

2018 Homeownership

63%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 63.6% of the housing units in Altoona, PA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 63%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Altoona, PA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

17.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Altoona, PA have a shorter commute time (17.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.3 minutes). Additionally, 1.52% of the workforce in Altoona, PA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Altoona, PA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
81%
Carpooled
8.94%
Walked
3.88%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Altoona, PA was Drove Alone (81%), followed by those who Carpooled (8.94%) and those who Walked (3.88%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Altoona, PA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Altoona, PA have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

Health

94.8% of the population of Altoona, PA has health coverage, with 41% on employee plans, 25.9% on Medicaid, 12.4% on Medicare, 13.1% on non-group plans, and 2.37% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Pennsylvania was $9,258 in 2014. This is a 4.29% increase from the previous year ($8,877).

Primary care physicians in Blair County, PA see 1163 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.96% decrease from the previous year (1211 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1781 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 481 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Fayette County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16%). Additionally, Clearfield County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.3%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Blair County, PA.

1,163 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Blair County, PA

Primary care physicians in Blair County, PA see an average of 1,163 patients per year. This represents a 3.96% decrease from the previous year (1,211 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Blair County, PA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

$9,258

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Pennsylvania

$4,634

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,407

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,243

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Pennsylvania (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.29%, from $8,877 to $9,258.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

5.22%

Uninsured

41%

Employer Coverage

25.9%

Medicaid

12.4%

Medicare

13.1%

Non-Group

2.37%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Altoona, PA declined by 18.1% from 6.37% to 5.22%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Altoona, PA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.