City profile · Pennsylvania · Census ACS 2023

Altoona, PA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Altoona - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

43,508
Residents
$50,171
Median income
$113,600
Median home
$1,138
Median rent (state)

Altoona - the verdict

Nationally, Altoona sits in the 20th percentile for household income and the 28th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

20th
percentile, household income
15th
percentile, home value
31st
percentile, median rent
28th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Altoona, PA

Pennsylvania's Altoona is a small city, with 43,508 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Altoona households earn a median of $50,171 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 13.9%. Typical homes in Altoona are valued around $113,600, and the median resident age is 39.8 years. About 19.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 55.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 8 residential building permits were authorized in Altoona (Building Boom), up 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2185.1 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Altoona's yearly average temperature at 49.6°F with 44.7 inches of precipitation per year and 38.1 inches of snowfall.

Pennsylvania tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 97.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,138 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Pennsylvania run around $260, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Altoona workers runs 17.6 minutes, with 79.0% driving alone and 5.8% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 77.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

43,508 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Pennsylvania

Median Household Income

$50,171 /yr

Poverty 13.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Pennsylvania average

How does Altoona compare to other US cities?

Here's how Altoona stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 20% higher than other cities
Home value 15% pricier than other cities
Median rent 31% pricier than other cities
Safety 28% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Pennsylvania, Altoona ranks #352 of 402 Pennsylvania cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Altoona's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Pennsylvania, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

20thIncome percentile
28thSafety percentile

20th percentile nationally for median household income · 28th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Altoona's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Altoona's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 42 Avg. percentile National median
Altoona's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Altoona's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$113,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 85% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Altoona $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Altoona, PA Altoona, PA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Altoona, PA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Altoona, PA median $50,171/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Altoona, PA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Altoona, PA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
43,508
Median Income
$50,171
Median Home Value
$113,600
Median Age
39.8
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Labor force participation
55.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2185.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
334.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1850.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
49.6°F
Annual Precipitation
44.7"
Annual Snowfall
38.1"

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
42,000 residents42,500 residents43,000 residents43,500 residents44,000 residents44,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 43,874 residents 42,347 residents ▼ -3.5%
Altoona's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
8
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
6
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 2
2021 2
2022 0
2023 14
2024 8

Permit volume increased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.6 minutes
Drive Alone
79.0%
Carpool
9.4%
Public Transit
1.4%
Walk
3.5%
Work from Home
5.8%
Other
0.9%

Based on 19,085 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Pennsylvania - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$88
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$52
avg/month
Total Utilities
$260
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Pennsylvania state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Pennsylvania state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Altoona sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,138/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
77.7 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Pennsylvania

Wilkes-Barre
44,217 people
York
44,830 people
State College
40,669 people
Harrisburg
50,092 people
Levittown
50,930 people
Norristown
35,782 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Altoona's 43,508 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Newnan, GA
43,510 people
Ormond Beach, FL
43,514 people
Hagerstown, MD
43,490 people
Channelview, TX
43,536 people
Pittsfield, MA
43,559 people
Woodbridge, VA
43,443 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Altoona's $50,171 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bellwood, VA
$50,172 median income
Mechanic Falls, ME
$50,169 median income
Gruetli-Laager, TN
$50,164 median income
Butler, IN
$50,179 median income
Versailles, IN
$50,179 median income
Munden, KS
$50,179 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Altoona, PA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Altoona, PA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.8% White 89.8% Black or African American 3.3% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.6% Two or more races 5.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Altoona compares to nearby Pennsylvania cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Altoona (this city) 43,508 $50,171
Wilkes-Barre 44,217 $47,970
York 44,830 $47,115
State College 40,669 $47,132
Census ACS 5-year FIPS PA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Altoona, PA?

What is the population of Altoona, PA? +

The population of Altoona, PA stands at 43,508 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Altoona, PA? +

In Altoona, the typical household earns $50,171 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Altoona? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Altoona; the closest available measure is the Pennsylvania state average, a cost of living index of 97.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Pennsylvania vary by metro area.

Is Altoona, PA safe? +

Altoona has a total crime rate of 2185.1 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Altoona, PA? +

A typical home in Altoona is worth $113,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Altoona? +

The average annual temperature in Altoona runs 49.6°F, 44.7 inches of precipitation, and 38.1 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.