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Altoona, PA

Frequently asked questions

Altoona, PA

Altoona is a city in Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 43,963 at the time of the 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Altoona metropolitan area, which includes all of Blair County, and was recorded as having a population of 122,822 in 2020.

Altoona was established in 1849 by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Having grown around the railroad industry, the city has worked to recover from industrial decline and urban decentralization experienced in recent decades. The city is home to the Altoona Curve baseball team of the Eastern League, which is the AA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team. They play at Peoples Natural Gas Field in Altoona. The Altoona Symphony Orchestra has called Altoona home since 1928. Prominent landmarks include the Horseshoe Curve, the Railroaders Memorial Museum, the Juniata Shops of the Altoona Works, the Mishler Theatre, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, and the Jaffa Shrine Center.

One explanation of the city's name is that the word Altoona is a derivative of the Latin word altus, meaning high.

That explanation is contradicted by Pennsylvania Place Names. One history named Colonel Beverly Mayer of Columbia, Pennsylvania, a civil engineer of the Pennsylvania Central Railway, was the person who named Altoona after the city of Altona in Danish Holstein, which became part of Germany in 1864. The German Altona, which is today a district of Hamburg, lies on the right bank of the Elbe and is an important railway and manufacturing center.

In 1849, David Robinson sold his farm to Archibald Wright of Philadelphia, who transferred the property to his son, John A. Wright, who laid it out in building lots, became one of the founders of Altoona, and is considered another person who may have named the city. According to his statement, he had spent considerable time in the Cherokee country of Georgia. Here he had been attracted to the name Allatoona, which he believed meant "the high lands of great worth." An 1883 publication favored the Cherokee derivation, stating that "Its name is not derived from the Latin word altus nor the French word alto, as has frequently been asserted and published, but from the beautiful, liquid, and expressive Cherokee word Allatoona."

For 60 days in 2011, the city officially changed its name to "POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold" in exchange for $25,000 as part of a marketing gimmick for the movie of the same name.

Altoona lies at the base of Brush Mountain within Logan Valley and Pleasant Valley. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25.4 km²), all land. Altoona is situated in the Allegheny Mountains.

Altoona City places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. The city offers a range of family-friendly attractions, including Lakemont Park with its amusement rides and water park. UPMC Altoona offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Planet Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. Start with a refreshing visit to Blair Regional YMCA, which offers various fitness programs and classes. Enhance your mental and physical balance at Mission Yoga, where you can participate in a range of yoga classes. If you’re looking to relax and rejuvenate, Serenity Spa & Salon offers a comprehensive spa experience. For those interested in aquatic activities, the Altoona Area School District Aquatics Program provides swimming lessons and water aerobics.

Top sites in Altoona, PA are Horseshoe Curve, Baker Mansion, and A Quaint Corner Children's Museum & Discovery Center.

Population: 42,788 (2023). ZIP codes: 16601–16603. Area code: 814. Area: 9.79 sq mi (25.36 km²). Elevation: 1,170 feet (357 m).

FAQs

What is Altoona, PA known for?

Prominent landmarks include the Horseshoe Curve, the Railroaders Memorial Museum, the Juniata Shops of the Altoona Works, the Mishler Theatre, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, and the Jaffa Shrine Center. The Horseshoe Curve is a renowned engineering marvel and historic site, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and showcasing the ingenuity of railroad construction in the 19th century.

Is Altoona, PA a nice place to live?

Altoona is in Blair County. Living in Altoona offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Altoona, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, and parks. Many families live in Altoona and residents tend to be conservative.

What is the crime rate in Altoona, PA?

The crime rate in Altoona is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 22 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Altoona is 1 in 46. Based on FBI crime data, Altoona is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Pennsylvania, Altoona has a crime rate that is higher than 88% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

City of Altoona

Wikipedia

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

Horseshoe Curve

Baker Mansion

A Quaint Corner Children's Museum & Discovery Center

Lakemont Park

UPMC Altoona

Planet Fitness

Blair Regional YMCA

Mission Yog

Serenity Spa & Salon

Altoona Area School District Aquatics Program

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