Altoona, PA

Altoona, Pennsylvania

Introduction to Altoona, Pennsylvania

Altoona, Pennsylvania, in Blair county, is 84 miles E of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It's located in the Allegheny Mountains. Altoona developed around the railroad industry and was one of the nations most important rail facilities. Altoona's industries have experienced a severe decline and it's regarded as a rust belt city. A lot of the older districts include a mix of individual houses and row homes.

The Downtown is regarded as the commercial and cultural center. It has a large number of sites included in the National Registry of Historic Places. The municipality is a primary center for the Norfolk Southern Railroad's Pittsburgh Line. A vast number of trains travel through on a daily basis.

Altoona History

The city was established in 1849 by the Pennsylvania Railroad. The Railroad's Altoona Works complex had a vast number of buildings and became a major employer. The Pennsylvania Railroad constructed a large number of its own locomotives at the complex. The city experienced substantial growth due to the demand of locomotives during the Civil War. After World War II ended the railroad industry significantly declined.

Altoona Attractions

• Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament features baroque architecture.
• Altoona Symphony Orchestra.
• Gables Building.
• Horseshoe Curve is a well known curved portion of railroad track and is a popular tourist attraction.
• Leap the Dips, is one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the world.
• Mishler Theatre.
• Jaffa Mosque.
• Penn Alto Building.
• City Hall.
• The Railroaders Memorial Museum is a popular destination.
• Hollidaysburg National Historic District.
• Baker Mansion Museum is a Greek Revival type mansion.
• Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Altoona.
• Altoona Community Theatre.

Altoona Activities

The Del Grosso's Amusement Park and the Lakemont Amusement Park are popular with families. The nearby Canoe Creek State Park includes a forest area, a lake filled with a variety of fish and it's popular with bird watchers. Trough Creek State Park offers natural and geologic beauty and features hiking trails.

Warriors Path State Park is filled with wildlife and is used for boating, fishing and hiking. The scenic southern Allegheny Mountains attract a large number of visitors. The Blue Knob Ski Resort is enjoyed by skiing enthusiasts. The nearby Chimney Rocks Park includes trails and picnic areas. The Oak Spring Winery is popular with tourists.

Altoona Transportation

The Altoona-Blair County Airport provides air travel.

Altoona Higher Education

The Pennsylvania State University, Ivyside Park campus is located in the city.

High Points

Altoona strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Pennsylvania):

Category	Trophy
Affordability of Rents (vs. Peers)	Top 1%
Short Commute Times (vs. State)	Top 9%
Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. Peers)	Top 11%

Comparative Profile of Altoona, PA

Comparing Altoona to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Pennsylvania (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Female Share of the Population
Senior Citizens
Age of the Population
Children Under 5 Years Old
Male Share of the Population
Well-Paid Single Men
Racial Diversity

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Portion of People Married
Average Household Size

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People Above Poverty
People in Middle Class or Better
Median Family Income
College Educated Adults

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
Public Transportation Use
Working at Home

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Affordability of Rents
Affordability of Property Taxes
People Living Alone
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Housing Recently Built

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime

Altoona Almanac

Altoona Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Altoona Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Nearby Cities and Towns

Altoona Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Altoona Hospitals

ALTOONA REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM
(Voluntary non-profit - Other)
620 HOWARD AVENUE
(814) 889-2011
Emergency Service: Yes

Altoona - James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center
(VA)
2907 Pleasant Valley Boulevard
(814) 943-8164

Wal-Mart in Altoona

Altoona High Schools (2004)

ALTOONA AREA HS
814-946-8273
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 1,898 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 17.1

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA DIGITAL L
814-946-8207
A charter school.
Serves 168 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 15.8

KIMMEL ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL
814-946-8246
A Title I school.
Serves 101 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 13.3

Altoona Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

Altoona Area Vocational Technical School

Altoona Beauty School Inc

Penn State Altoona

Pruonto's Hair Design Institute Inc

(List of All Pennsylvania Colleges)

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