Altoona ZIP Codes — Blair County, PA

There are 3 unique ZIP codes in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Area code: 814.

ZIP codes

99.53

sq mi land

0.45

sq mi water

814

area code

Altoona, PA ZIP code map

About Altoona, PA

Altoona, Pennsylvania, is a vibrant city located within Blair County. It is known for its rich historical significance and diverse community. The city features a blend of cultural attractions and outdoor activities that appeal to both locals and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Altoona is situated in the central part of Pennsylvania, approximately 45 miles west of Harrisburg and about 30 miles east of State College. The city's terrain is primarily hilly, providing picturesque views, with a total land area of 99.53 square miles and a water area of 0.45 square miles. Altoona is surrounded by other cities, such as Tyrone to the northeast (approximately 16 miles away), Johnstown to the south (about 23 miles), and Hollidaysburg nearby to the west (around 5 miles).

Community & economy

The character of Altoona is defined by its strong sense of community and a rich blend of cultural heritage. The city has a diverse economy that has roots in the railroad industry, manufacturing, and healthcare. Daily life in Altoona offers residents various recreational activities, dining options, and community events that foster a sense of belonging and pride.

Transportation

Altoona is accessible via major highways including Interstate 99 and U.S. Route 220, which connect the city to surrounding regions. The nearest major airport is Altoona-Blair County Airport, offering local flights, while Johnstown-Cambria County Airport is also nearby, providing additional travel options. Public transportation options include the Altoona Metro Transit System, which serves the local area.

History

Altoona was founded in the mid-19th century, primarily as a railroad town due to its strategic location along the Pennsylvania Railroad. Key industries have historically included the railroad, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors, contributing significantly to the city's development and economy. Notable events, such as the construction of the Horseshoe Curve – a historic railroad curve completed in 1854 – add to Altoona's rich heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Altoona is that it is home to the historic Horseshoe Curve, which is a National Historic Landmark. This engineering marvel attracts thousands of visitors each year, showcasing the region's significant role in railroad history.

ZIP codes for Altoona, PA (3)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
16601	Altoona	Blair	View map
16602	Altoona	Blair	View map
16603	Altoona	Blair	View map

Demographics & statistics

60,982

Population

41.1

Median age

$53,452

Median household income

$30,938

Per capita income

$125,400

Median home value

$816

Median monthly rent

68.6%

Home ownership

17.3%

Poverty rate

5.2%

Unemployment

20,310

Housing units

21.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,556

Under 5

1,585

1,797

5–9

1,830

1,859

10–14

1,894

2,082

15–19

2,121

1,874

20–24

1,909

3,804

25–34

3,874

3,463

35–44

3,527

3,848

45–54

3,919

2,095

55–59

2,134

2,004

60–64

2,041

3,447

65–74

3,511

1,706

75–84

1,738

676

85+

688

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	12,514	20.6%
18 and over	48,468	79.5%
65 and over	11,766	19.3%
Median age	41.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 89.6%

Two or more races 4.2%

Black or African American 3.4%

Hispanic or Latino 1.9%

Asian 0.5%

Other race 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	55,699	89.6%
Two or more races	2,609	4.2%
Black or African American	2,087	3.4%
Hispanic or Latino	1,157	1.9%
Asian	293	0.5%
Other race	196	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	77	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 6.3%

$10k–$15k 6.6%

$15k–$25k 10.3%

$25k–$35k 9.0%

$35k–$50k 14.8%

$50k–$75k 16.9%

$75k–$100k 13.1%

$100k–$150k 14.6%

$150k–$200k 5.1%

$200k+ 3.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.3%
$10k–$15k	6.6%
$15k–$25k	10.3%
$25k–$35k	9.0%
$35k–$50k	14.8%
$50k–$75k	16.9%
$75k–$100k	13.1%
$100k–$150k	14.6%
$150k–$200k	5.1%
$200k+	3.7%
Median income	$53,452

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.5%

$50k–$100k 27.7%

$100k–$150k 24.1%

$150k–$200k 19.2%

$200k–$300k 12.3%

$300k–$500k 7.2%

$500k–$1M 1.1%

$1M+ 0.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$125,400
Median rent / month	$816
Owner occupied	68.6%
Renter occupied	31.5%
Vacant	10.7%
Single-family detached	72.0%
Large apartment buildings	5.7%
Mobile homes	4.3%
Median rooms	6.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.44

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	1.2%
2000–2009	3.3%
1990–1999	4.3%
1980–1989	6.2%
1970–1979	13.6%
1960–1969	8.7%
1950–1959	12.3%
1940–1949	11.6%
1939 or earlier	38.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.4%
1 bedroom	9.4%
2 bedrooms	25.1%
3 bedrooms	46.6%
4 bedrooms	15.4%
5+ bedrooms	2.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	10.4%
1 vehicle	38.9%
2 vehicles	33.9%
3 or more	16.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	74.8%
Electricity	12.6%
Propane / LP gas	2.2%
Fuel oil	7.7%
Wood	1.1%
No fuel used	0.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	10,405	41.2%
Cohabiting couple	2,539	10.1%
Male householder, no spouse	5,001	20.0%
Female householder, no spouse	7,251	28.8%
Households with children under 18	6,871	27.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	8,530	33.8%
Average household size	2.34

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	38.2%	31.3%
Married	44.2%	42.8%
Separated	3.4%	1.5%
Widowed	3.2%	11.3%
Divorced	11.1%	13.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.6%

Some HS, no diploma 5.7%

HS graduate 46.4%

Some college, no degree 16.7%

Associate's degree 8.5%

Bachelor's degree 14.9%

Graduate / professional 6.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.7%
Bachelor's or higher	21.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	832	6.5%
Kindergarten	750	5.2%
Elementary school	6,093	45.4%
High school	2,531	18.8%
College / grad school	3,454	24.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.0%

Retail trade 15.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.1%

Manufacturing 8.2%

Transportation & utilities 7.7%

Professional & management 7.7%

Construction 6.3%

Other services 5.1%

Public administration 4.3%

Finance & real estate 3.1%

Wholesale trade 2.9%

Information 1.5%

Agriculture & mining 0.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.6%
Service	18.7%
Sales & office	23.4%
Natural resources & construction	9.6%
Production & transportation	14.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	83.4%
Government	12.2%
Self-employed	4.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.9%
Carpool	8.6%
Public transit	1.2%
Walk	2.8%
Other means	0.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	18.4

Poverty

All people 17.3%

Under 18 years 24.7%

18 and over 15.4%

Married-couple families 4.4%

Female-led households 32.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.3%
Retirement income	26.5%
Supplemental Security	7.1%
Cash public assistance	4.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	21.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.0%
High cholesterol	33.7%
Heart disease	7.8%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	10.8%
Arthritis	31.0%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	9.2%
Cancer	7.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.1%
No physical activity	25.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.0%
Fair or poor health	17.0%
Poor mental health	16.9%
Poor physical health	12.4%
No health insurance	11.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.5%
Visited dentist	59.5%
Cholesterol screening	87.7%
Teeth loss	17.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	4,320	9.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.7%
Under 18	7.0%
18–64 years	14.9%
65 and over	33.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.0%
Public insurance	47.6%
Uninsured under 19	3.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	57,841	94.8%
Spanish	349	0.6%
Other Indo-European	100	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	148	0.3%
Other languages	101	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	60,256	98.8%
Born in same state	60,000	98.4%
Born in different state	53,570	87.8%
Foreign born	256	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	726	1.2%
Not a US citizen	287	40.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	11,565	19%
French	5,002	8.2%
Arab	2,706	4.4%
English	796	1.3%
Irish	229	0.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	161	0.3%
German	114	0.2%
Polish	96	0.2%
Dutch	14	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.4%
Internet access	87.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Altoona, PA have?

Altoona, PA has two ZIP codes: 16601 and 16602. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.