Altoona, PA

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2024 Population
121,277
US Senator
John Fetterman
Democratic Party
US Senator
Dave McCormick
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
43.1
0.466% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
12%
7.57% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$62,382
2.95% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$161,100
2.81% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
55,855
1.2% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Altoona, PA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.2% of the residents in Altoona, PA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Altoona, PA are Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona (315 degrees awarded in 2023), Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (129 degrees), and Altoona Beauty School Inc (105 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Altoona, PA was $161,100, and the homeownership rate was 72.4%.

Most people in Altoona, PA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Altoona, PA was 2 cars per household.

United StatesPennsylvania

Population & Diversity

Altoona, PA is home to a population of 121k people, from which 99.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.51% of Altoona, PA residents were born outside of the country (1.83k people).

In 2024, there were 45.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (111k people) in Altoona, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.45k Two Races Including Other (Non-Hispanic) and 2.43k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.2%
2024 Citizenship
99.3%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99.2% of Altoona, PA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Altoona, PA was 99.3%, 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.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Altoona, PA
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    111k ± 588
  2. Two Races Including Other (Non-Hispanic)
    2.45k ± 587
  3. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
    2.43k ± 336
1.59%
Hispanic Population
1.93k people

In 2024, there were 45.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (111k people) in Altoona, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.45k Two Races Including Other (Non-Hispanic) and 2.43k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

1.59% of the people in Altoona, PA are hispanic (1.93k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Altoona, PA as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.
Most Common Origin
  1. India
    99,504 ± 7,715 people
  2. Dominican Republic
    93,569 ± 7,483 people
  3. China
    70,789 ± 6,514 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Pennsylvania was India, the natal country of 99,504 Pennsylvania residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 93,569 and China with 70,789.

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Foreign-Born Population

1.51%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
1.83k people
1.3%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
1.59k people

As of 2024, 1.51% of Altoona, PA residents (1.83k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Altoona, PA was 1.3%, 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.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    3,206 ± 299
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    1,663 ± 338
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    1,001 ± 203

Altoona, PA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.93 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Altoona, PA.

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Economy

The economy of Altoona, PA employs 55.9k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Altoona, PA were Health Care & Social Assistance (10,238 people), Retail Trade (7,646 people), and Manufacturing (6,144 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($128,833), Utilities ($64,861), and Public Administration ($61,997).

Employment

Occupations

55.9k
2024 Value
± 1,651
−1.2%
1 Year decline
± 4.18%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Altoona, PA declined at a rate of −1.2%, from 56.5k employees to 55.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Altoona, PA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (7,329 people), Management Occupations (4,920 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (4,385 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Altoona, PA.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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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Industries

Employment by Industries

55.9k
2024 Value
± 1,651
−1.2%
1 Year decline
± 4.18%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Altoona, PA declined at a rate of −1.2%, from 56.5k employees to 55.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Altoona, PA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (10,238 people), Retail Trade (7,646 people), and Manufacturing (6,144 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.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$49,089
Median earning men ± $1,426
$36,370
Median earning women ± $972

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($76,750), Public Administration ($71,250), and Information ($66,500).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($50,264), Public Administration ($44,589), and Manufacturing ($43,462).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.
Y-Axis
2.78%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 6.03M people employed in Pennsylvania. This represents a 2.78% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 18.1%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Pennsylvania.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments
  1. 284
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  2. 176
    Health Care and Social Assistance
  3. 176
    Construction

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll
  1. $680k
    Health Care and Social Assistance
  2. $351k
    Manufacturing
  3. $254k
    Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Pennsylvania went to Donald J. Trump with 50.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.7%), followed by Jill Stein (0.491%).

John Fetterman and Dave McCormick 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 17 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Altoona, PA. Showing the available data for Pennsylvania.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (50.4%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (48.7%)
    Democratic Party
  3. Jill Stein (0.491%)
    Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Pennsylvania went to Donald J. Trump with 50.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.7%), followed by Jill Stein (0.491%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Pennsylvania for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Pennsylvania

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.
John Fetterman
Senator from Pennsylvania3
Assumed office on January 3, 2023
Dave McCormick
Senator from Pennsylvania1
Assumed office on January 3, 2025

John Fetterman and Dave McCormick 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.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Altoona, PA awarded 656 degrees. The student population of Altoona, PA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 1,386 male students and 1,467 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Altoona, PA are White (572 and 87.7%), Black or African American (27 and 4.14%), Hispanic or Latino (26 and 3.99%), and Asian (11 and 1.69%).

The largest universities in Altoona, PA by number of degrees awarded are Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona (315 and 48%), Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (129 and 19.7%), and Altoona Beauty School Inc (105 and 16%).

The median tuition cost in Altoona, PA for a public four year colleges is $15,388 for in-state students and $26,112 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2023 in Altoona, PA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 97.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 12.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 2,853 (48.6% men and 51.4% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 2,853 students enrolled in Altoona, PA, 48.6% men and 51.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,075 records, of which 52.3% were women and 47.7% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research, & Clinical Nursing
    72 degrees awarded
  2. Electromechanical Technology
    32 degrees awarded
  3. General Business
    27 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Altoona, PA was Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research, & Clinical Nursing with 72 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
    315 degrees awarded
  2. Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center
    129 degrees awarded
  3. Altoona Beauty School Inc
    105 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona with 315 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 202 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Altoona, PA, which is 0.445 times less than the 454 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 572 degrees mean that there were 21.2 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 27 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($15,388) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($556) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,840) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Altoona, PA was $161,100 in 2024, which is 0.484 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $156,700 to $161,100, a 2.81% increase. The homeownership rate in Altoona, PA is 72.4%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Altoona, PA have an average commute time of 20.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Altoona, PA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$161,100
Median Property Value 2024
±$3,077
$36,579
Median Property Taxes
±$1,237

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units 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 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Altoona, PA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

72.4%
Homeownership
2024
61.3%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 72.4% of the housing units in Altoona, PA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 72.4%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Altoona, PA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$62,382
Median Household Income
± $1,699
50.6k
Number of Households
± 1,522

In 2024, the median household income of the 50.6k households in Altoona, PA grew to $62,382 from the previous year's value of $60,594.

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.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Altoona, PA is from Pennsylvania.
0.463
2023 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania
0.466
2022 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

In 2023, the income inequality in Pennsylvania was 0.463 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.564% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Pennsylvania was lower than than the national average of 0.476. 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.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (79.5%)
  2. Carpooled (8.57%)
  3. Worked At Home (7.14%)

In 2024, 79.5% of workers in Altoona, PA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.57%) and those who worked at home (7.14%).

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.

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Commute Time

20.5 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Altoona, PA have a shorter commute time (20.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.09% 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.

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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.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

12% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Altoona, PA (14.1k out of 117k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 25 - 34.

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

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.

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Health

94.2% of the population of Altoona, PA has health coverage, with 44.6% on employee plans, 19.3% on Medicaid, 14.8% on Medicare, 14.1% on non-group plans, and 1.33% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Pennsylvania see 1,265 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,265 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1400 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 345 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.5% were men and 50.5% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.
1,265 to 1
Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Pennsylvania

Primary care physicians in Pennsylvania see an average of 1,265 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,265 patients).

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

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Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.1% under 18 years, 18.8% between 18 and 34 years, 38.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.5% were men and 50.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

5.81%
Uninsured
44.6%
Employer Coverage
19.3%
Medicaid
14.8%
Medicare
14.1%
Non-Group
1.33%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Altoona, PA grew by 0.901% from 5.76% to 5.81%.

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.

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