Altoona, PA Demographics

A map of Altoona's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	38,028	38,784	88.0%	88.2%
Multiracial	2,490	2,083	5.8%	4.7%
Black	1,557	1,828	3.6%	4.2%
Hispanic	682	770	1.6%	1.8%
Asian	351	258	0.8%	0.6%
Native American/Other	88	240	0.2%	0.5%

Altoona, Pennsylvania has an estimated population of 43,196, a slight decrease from the 43,963 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 88.0% White, 5.8% Multiracial, 3.6% Black, 1.6% Hispanic, 0.8% Asian, and 0.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Altoona, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Altoona is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Pennsylvania overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Altoona, that probability was 21.7% in 2020 and 22.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Altoona is ranked the 13th most populous place in Pennsylvania, out of 2,002 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Altoona was ranked the 13th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Altoona's White Population

38,028 residents of Altoona, or 88.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Altoona is considerably higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 73% of the population is White. Altoona ranks 1201st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Altoona's White population has declined by an estimated 1.9%. White residents' share of Altoona's population has remained roughly unchanged at 88.0%.

Altoona is less White than neighboring Newburg (100% White), Mill Run (100% White), Red Hill (100% White), Lakemont (98.8% White), and Eldorado (100% White).

Altoona's Black Population

1,557 residents of Altoona, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Altoona is lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 10.3% of the population is Black. Altoona ranks 351st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Altoona's Black population has declined by an estimated 14.8%. Black residents' share of Altoona's population has decreased from 4.2% to 3.6%.

Altoona is more Black than neighboring Newburg (0% Black), Mill Run (0% Black), Red Hill (0% Black), Lakemont (0.2% Black), and Eldorado (0% Black).

Altoona's Asian Population

351 residents of Altoona, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Altoona is slightly lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.8% of the population is Asian. Altoona ranks 856th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Altoona's Asian population has grown by an estimated 36.0%. Asian residents' share of Altoona's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Altoona is more Asian than neighboring Newburg (0% Asian), Mill Run (0% Asian), Red Hill (0% Asian), and Eldorado (0% Asian). Altoona is less Asian than neighboring Lakemont (1% Asian).

Altoona's Hispanic Population

682 residents of Altoona, or 1.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Altoona is lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 8.7% of the population is Hispanic. Altoona ranks 1124th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Altoona's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 11.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Altoona's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.6%.

Altoona is more Hispanic than neighboring Newburg (0% Hispanic), Mill Run (0% Hispanic), Red Hill (0% Hispanic), Lakemont (0% Hispanic), and Eldorado (0% Hispanic).

Altoona's Native American/Other Population

88 residents of Altoona, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Altoona is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Altoona ranks 616th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Altoona's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 63.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Altoona's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Altoona is more Native American/Other than neighboring Newburg (0% Native American/Other), Mill Run (0% Native American/Other), Red Hill (0% Native American/Other), Lakemont (0% Native American/Other), and Eldorado (0% Native American/Other).

Altoona's Multiracial Population

2,490 residents of Altoona, or 5.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Altoona is slightly higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.6% of the population is Multiracial. Altoona ranks 368th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Altoona's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 19.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Altoona's population has increased from 4.7% to 5.8%.

Altoona is more Multiracial than neighboring Newburg (0% Multiracial), Mill Run (0% Multiracial), Red Hill (0% Multiracial), Lakemont (0% Multiracial), and Eldorado (0% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.