Overview

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.

Demographics

People

Total Population44,372
Male Share of the Population48.5%
Female Share of the Population51.5%
Senior Citizens16%
Employed Population 16+19,181
Age of the Population38

Families

% of people married43%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher21%
Median Earnings25+$31,203
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$16,629
Median Earnings With High School Degree$25,849

Wealth

Median Family Income$55,075
% Above Poverty Level77.3%
% Below Poverty Level22.7%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time18 minutes
% Working from Home2.7%
% Walking and Biking to Work4%
% Using Public Transportation2.6%

Housing

People Living Alone32.8%
Median Gross Rent$685
Median House Value$88,600

Ancestry

Irish17.3%
Italian12.6%
Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)11.4%
English5.5%
Polish4.7%
Scottish1.7%
French Except Basque1.3%
Dutch1.3%
German1%
Russian0.9%
Welsh0.8%
Swedish0.7%
African0.6%
Slovak0.5%
Greek0.4%
Arab0.4%
Norwegian0.3%
Ukrainian0.2%
Hungarian0.2%
Lebanese0.2%
Czech0.2%
Austrian0.2%
Ethiopian0.1%
Swiss0.1%
Egyptian0.1%
Syrian0.1%
Croatian0.1%
Israeli0.1%
Portuguese0.1%
Romanian0.1%
Canadian0.1%
Lithuanian0.1%
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Altoona Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyBlair County
Standard Zip Codes16602, 16601
P.O. Box Zip Codes16603
Phone Area Codes814
Time ZoneAmerica/New_York
Approximate Latitude40.5
Approximate Longitude-78.4

Altoona Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

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

StationALTOONA 3 W
Distance4 miles
Jan Temp18 to 35 F
Apr Temp38 to 60 F
Jul Temp60 to 82 F
Oct Temp41 to 63 F
Annual Precip42.6 inches
StationPRINCE GALLITZIN ST PK
Distance12.2 miles
Jan Temp16 to 33 F
Apr Temp35 to 59 F
Jul Temp58 to 81 F
Oct Temp37 to 62 F
Annual Precip38.5 inches
StationPHILIPSBURG 8 E
Distance32.5 miles
Jan Temp16 to 31 F
Apr Temp35 to 57 F
Jul Temp57 to 78 F
Oct Temp39 to 58 F
Annual Precip41.8 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Ashville173$59,375
Bellwood1,699$63,523
Duncansville1,244$62,731
Gallitzin1,599$48,750
Hollidaysburg5,705$77,614
Newry216$58,750

Altoona Public Libraries

Altoona Area Public Library
1600 FIFTH AVENUE
Altoona, Pennsylvania
(814) 946-0417

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Altoona Hospitals

James E Van Zandt Va Medical Center
(Government - Federal)
2907 Pleasant Valley Boulevard
(814) 943-8164
Healthsouth Rehabilitation Hospital Of Altoona
(Proprietary)
2005 Valley View Boulevard
(814) 944-3535
Altoona Regional Health System
(Non-profit)
620 Howard Avenue
(814) 946-2011

Altoona Public Schools

Irving El Sch
110 Cherry Ave
ZIP: 16601
(814) 946-8392
Primary
Total Enrollment 333
Juniata El Sch
418 N 8th Ave Juniata
ZIP: 16601
(814) 946-8394
Primary
Total Enrollment 592
Juniata Gap El Sch
3365 Juniata Gap Road
ZIP: 16601
(814) 946-8401
Primary
Total Enrollment 641
Mowrie A Ebner El Sch
308 Hillside Avenue
ZIP: 16601
(814) 946-8400
Primary
Total Enrollment 594
Altoona Area Hs
1415 6th Ave
ZIP: 16602
(814) 940-6986
High
Total Enrollment 1739
Altoona Area Jr Hs
1400 7th Ave
ZIP: 16602
(814) 381-7512
Middle
Total Enrollment 1778
Baker El Sch
108 W Ward Ave
ZIP: 16602
(814) 946-8388
Primary
Total Enrollment 370
Greater Altoona Ctc
1500 4th Avenue
ZIP: 16602
(814) 946-8450
High
Kimmel Alternative School
900 S Jaggard Street
ZIP: 16602
(814) 946-8246
High
Total Enrollment 33
Logan El Sch
301 Sycamore Street Greenwood
ZIP: 16602
(814) 946-8370
Primary
Total Enrollment 610
Penn-lincoln El Sch
411 12th St
ZIP: 16602
(814) 946-8396
Primary
Total Enrollment 608
Pleasant Valley El Sch
310 Cayuga Avenue
ZIP: 16602
(814) 946-8397
Primary
Total Enrollment 466

Altoona Private Schools

Shady Pond School
501 Golf Course Rd
ZIP: 16601
Elementary
Total Enrollment 20
Tender Love For Children Child Care
1461 12th Ave
ZIP: 16601
Elementary
Total Enrollment 12
Altoona Central Catholic School
1400 4th Ave
ZIP: 16602
Elementary
Total Enrollment 282
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School
2400 Pleasant Valley Blvd
ZIP: 16602
Secondary
Total Enrollment 329
Faith Tabernacle School
439 5th Ave
ZIP: 16602
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 39
Great Commission Schools
1100 6th Ave
ZIP: 16602
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 138
Harbor House Center Early Academics
113 Byron Ave
ZIP: 16602
Elementary
Total Enrollment 30
Northwestern Human Services Autism School
1012 8th Ave
ZIP: 16602
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 38
St John The Evangelist School
311 Lotz Ave
ZIP: 16602
Elementary
Total Enrollment 100
St Rose Of Lima School
5519 6th Ave
ZIP: 16602
Elementary
Total Enrollment 171
Sources :
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