According to deluxesurveillance, Altoona, Pennsylvania is a city located in Blair County and is the county seat. This city of approximately 46,000 people is situated in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains and was originally founded in 1849. It is known for its rich railroad history, as it was once a major hub for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
The city has several unique neighborhoods, such as Juniata, where many of its original buildings still stand today. The downtown area has an array of shops and eateries along with its historic buildings. The downtown also includes a vibrant arts scene with galleries, museums, and theaters that host musical events throughout the year.
Altoona’s economy is driven by healthcare services, manufacturing, retail trade, education and government services. There are several major employers located in Altoona such as UPMC Altoona Hospital and Sheetz Corporate Office. The city also boasts two higher education institutions – Penn State Altoona and Mount Aloysius College – which offer a variety of degree programs to local students.
In addition to its thriving economy, Altoona is home to many recreational activities including numerous parks and trails for hiking and biking enthusiasts. There are also several golf courses available for visitors to enjoy during their stay in the area. For those looking for a more urban experience there are plenty of restaurants and bars located throughout the city that offer a variety of cuisines from around the world as well as locally-crafted brews and spirits.
According to electronicsmatter, Altoona also features an array of cultural events throughout the year including festivals like JuniataFest which celebrates local businesses; art walks; concerts; theater performances; farmers markets; parades; fairs; car shows; sporting events; carnivals; holiday celebrations; movie nights at local parks; outdoor movies at City Park’s Bandstand Park Amphitheater; craft shows at Logan Valley Mall Arena & Expo Center as well as other venues around town.
All in all, Altoona offers something for everyone – from its rich history to its thriving economy – making it one of Pennsylvania’s top destinations for visitors looking for adventure or relaxation alike.
Population: 49,523. Estimated population in July 2020: 47,176 (-4.7% change)
Males: 23,229 (46.9%), Females: 26,294 (53.1%)
Blair County
Zip codes: 16601, 16602.
Median resident age: 37.4 years
Median household income: $28,248
Median house value: $58,000
Races in Altoona:
- White Non-Hispanic (95.6%)
- Black (2.5%)
- Two or more races (0.8%)
- Hispanic (0.7%)
Ancestries: German (37.9%), Irish (18.3%), Italian (13.3%), English (7.3%), United States (5.9%), Polish (4.6%).
Elevation: 1170 feet
Land area: 9.8 square miles
Population
For population 25 years and over in Altoona
- High school or higher: 82.0%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.1%
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.0%
- Unemployed: 9.2%
- Mean travel time to work: 18.1 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Altoona city
- Never married: 28.8%
- Now married: 48.1%
- Separated: 2.9%
- Widowed: 10.3%
- Divorced: 9.9%
1.1% Foreign born
Population change in the 1990s: -2,886 (-5.5%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers in Altoona:
- ALTOONA HOSPITAL (620 HOWARD AVENUE)
- BON SECOURS MERCY HOSPITAL (2500 SEVENTH AVE)
- HEALTHSOUTH REHABILITATION HOSP ALTOON (2005 VALLEY VIEW BOULEVARD)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Altoona:
- ALTOONA-BLAIR COUNTY (about 17 miles; ALTOONA, PA; Abbreviation: AOO)
- JOHN MURTHA JOHNSTOWN-CAMBRIA CO (about 34 miles; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Abbreviation: JST)
- UNIVERSITY PARK (about 46 miles; STATE COLLEGE, PA; Abbreviation: UNV)
Other public-use airports nearest to Altoona:
- BLUE KNOB VALLEY (about 10 miles; NEWRY, PA; Abbreviation: 7G4)
- COVE VALLEY (about 13 miles; WILLIAMSBURG, PA; Abbreviation: 6G6)
- EBENSBURG (about 26 miles; EBENSBURG, PA; Abbreviation: 9G8)
ALTOONA (1231 11TH AVE.). Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, snack bar, paid short-term parking, paid long-term parking, call for taxi service, intercity bus service, public transit connection.
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/Universities in Altoona:
- PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY-PENN STATE ALTOONA (Full-time enrollment: 3,516; Location: 3000 IVYSIDE PK; Public; Website: www.aa.psu.edu/)
- ALTOONA AREA VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL (Full-time enrollment: 153; Location: 1500 Fourth Avenue; Public; Website: www.gactc.com)
- COMPUTER LEARNING NETWORK (Full-time enrollment: 131; Location: 2900 FAIRWAY DR; Private, for-profit; Website: www.clnaltoona.com)
- ALTOONA SCHOOL OF COMMERCE (Full-time enrollment: 56; Location: 508 58TH ST; Private, for-profit; Website: www.ascomm.org)
- ALTOONA BEAUTY SCHOOL INC (Full-time enrollment: 40; Location: 1100 6TH AVE; Private, for-profit; Website: WWW.ALTOONABEAUTYSCHOOL.COM)
- PRUONTOS HAIR DESIGN INSTITUTE (Full-time enrollment: 30; Location: 705 12TH ST; Private, for-profit; Website: www.pruontos.com)
- ALTOONA HOSPITAL SCHOOL OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY (Location: 620 HOWARD AVE; Private, not-for-profit)
Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Altoona:
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-JOHNSTOWN (about 36 miles; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Full-time enrollment: 2,851)
- PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 43 miles; UNIVERSITY PARK, PA; Full-time enrollment: 38,248)
- INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA-MAIN CAMPUS (about 52 miles; INDIANA, PA; Full-time enrollment: 12,307)
- SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (about 70 miles; SHIPPENSBURG, PA; Full-time enrollment: 6,330)
- FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY (about 71 miles; FROSTBURG, MD; Full-time enrollment: 4,672)
- LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (about 81 miles; LOCK HAVEN, PA; Full-time enrollment: 3,738)
- CLARION UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (about 83 miles; CLARION, PA; Full-time enrollment: 5,690)
Schools
Public high schools in Altoona:
- ALTOONA AREA HS (Students: 1,898; Grades: 07 – 12)
- KIMMEL ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL (Students: 101; Grades: 07 – 12)
Private high schools in Altoona:
- BISHOP GUILFOYLE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 382; Location: 2400 PLEASANT VALLEY BOULEVARD; Grades: 9 – 12)
- FAITH TABERNACLE SCHOOL (Students: 45; Location: 410 FIFTH STREET; Grades: 1 – 12)
Biggest public primary/middle schools in Altoona:
- THEODORE ROOSEVELT JHS (Students: 1,023; Grades: 07 – 09)
- D S KEITH JHS (Students: 1,017; Grades: 07 – 09)
- LOGAN EL SCH (Students: 590; Grades: KG – 06)
- JUNIATA GAP EL SCH (Students: 505; Grades: KG – 06)
- PLEASANT VALLEY EL SCH (Students: 481; Grades: KG – 06)
- JUNIATA EL SCH (Students: 455; Grades: KG – 06)
- MOWRIE A EBNER EL SCH (Students: 453; Grades: KG – 06)
- PENN-LINCOLN EL SCH (Students: 445; Grades: KG – 06)
- WRIGHT EL SCH (Students: 443; Grades: KG – 06)
- WASHINGTON-JEFFERSON EL SCH (Students: 420; Grades: KG – 06)
Biggest private primary/middle schools in Altoona:
- SAINT ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL (Students: 228; Location: 5519 6TH AVE; Grades: PK – 8)
- PENN MONT ACADEMY (Students: 217; Location: 439 LOTZ AVE LAKEMONT; Grades: PK – 6)
- ALTOONA CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 190; Location: 424 WOPSONONOCK AVENUE; Grades: 6 – 8)
- ALTOONA CATHOLIC/CATHEDRAL (Students: 138; Location: 1304 13TH AVENUE; Grades: PK – 5)
- ALTOONA CATHOLIC/MT CARMEL (Students: 125; Location: 1012 EIGHTH AVENUE; Grades: PK – 5)
- ALTOONA CATHOLIC/ST MARYS (Students: 117; Location: 1400 4TH AVENUE; Grades: PK – 5)
- ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL (Students: 111; Location: 311 LOTZ AVENUE; Grades: KG – 8)
- TENDER LOVE FOR CHILDREN DAYCA (Students: 96; Location: 1401 – 12TH AVENUE; Grades: PK – KG)
- OUR LADY OF LOURDES (Students: 89; Location: 2719 WEST CHESTNUT; Grades: KG – 5)
- AMERICAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF PENNSYLVAN (Students: 29; Location: 1314 12TH STREET; Grades: PK – KG)
Libraries
Library in Altoona:
- ALTOONA AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $1,194,418; Location: 1600 FIFTH AVENUE; 217,219 books; 5,599 audio materials; 4,989 video materials; 271 serial subscriptions)