Census ACS · #348 MSA
Altoona Metro Area
The Altoona, Pa Metropolitan Statistical Area has 121,854 residents. The median household income is $60,594 and the median home value is $156,700.
121,854
Population
232
People / sq mi
$60,594
Median Income
$156,700
Median Home Value
The Altoona CBSA covers 525 sq mi of land at 232.1 people per square mile.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 93.3% |
| Black or African American | 1.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.5% |
Economy & Income
$60,594
Median Household Income
$34,593
Per Capita Income
8.5%
Poverty Rate
2.6%
Unemployment
Cost of Living
The Altoona metro's price level is 89.5 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 10.5% lower the US average. The local median income of $60,594 has the buying power of $67,697 in average-priced US metros.
89.5
Price Level (US = 100)
$67,697
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$60,594
Nominal Median Income
Housing
$156,700
Median Home Value
$854
Median Rent
72.4%
Homeownership
Education
93.2%
High School+
24.1%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.6%
Drive Alone
5.9%
Work From Home
20.9 min
Avg Commute
10.9%
Foreign Born
Altoona spans this state
Nearby metros
Largest cities in Pennsylvania
Largest counties in Pennsylvania
Part of Pennsylvania
Other metros
Metro areas in Pennsylvania
Metro rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
The Altoona, Pa Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 121,854 according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates, making it the #348 largest CBSA in the US.
The median household income in the Altoona metro area is $60,594, with a per capita income of $34,593.
The Altoona, Pa CBSA spans the state of Pennsylvania.
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More from Pennsylvania
Data for the Altoona, Pa CBSA (11020) from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Core-Based Statistical Areas combine cities, suburbs, and surrounding counties tied together by commuting patterns.
What distinguishes Altoona is density: among the most densely settled of US metro areas, around 232 people per square mile. With 121,854 residents, Altoona is a metro area in PA.
Median household income is $60,594, below the US median of $78,538. About 8.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $156,700, with typical rent around $854.
Degree attainment is mid-range for US metro areas: 24.1% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%.
That density explains much of the rest of the profile in Altoona: denser places lean toward renting, shorter commutes by transit, and a younger working-age mix.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.