Altoona, Pennsylvania Income Statistics
Altoona Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
D
Altoona Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Altoona | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $51,563 | $78,249 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $47,226 | $62,573 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.4% | 4.4% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.7% | 13.0% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 2.5% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Altoona is about 34% lower than in Pennsylvania. Income has been growing slower in Altoona (4.4%/yr) than in Pennsylvania (4.4%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Altoona earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Pennsylvania average of 13%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Altoona, Pennsylvania grew by 54.6% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $51,563 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.4% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Altoona
| Metric | Altoona | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.503 | 0.537 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $53,342 | $71,585 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $44,836 | $57,854 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 15.9% | 19.2% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Altoona, it is 0.503, lower than Pennsylvania's 0.537, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 19% more than women's income in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Over a 35-year career, a 19% wage gap accumulates to roughly $297,710 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Altoona, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 25% to 16% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 25% in 2010, and was narrowest at 13% in 2021. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,076 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Altoona | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.0% | 15.6% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 1,415 people are unemployed in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
The average commute time in Altoona is 15 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Pennsylvania.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Altoona, Pennsylvania has fallen from 10.7% to 6.8% in 2024. Over that period the rate fell as low as 4.8% in 2019.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Altoona, Pennsylvania has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Pennsylvania, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
How Wealthy Is Altoona, Pennsylvania?
Altoona has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $51,563, about 34% lower than the Pennsylvania average of $78,249.
How fast is household income rising in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Altoona, Pennsylvania rose 55%, from $33,342 to $51,563. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Pennsylvania as a whole: +55% against +57%.
What was the median household income in Altoona in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Altoona, Pennsylvania was $50,005, down 1% from $50,331 in 2022. The Pennsylvania median that year was $76,230.
What was the median household income in Altoona in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Altoona, Pennsylvania was $42,550. By 2024 it had risen 21% to $51,563.
How strong is the job market in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
Unemployment in Altoona, Pennsylvania is 6.8%, well above the Pennsylvania rate of 5.2%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
The Gini coefficient in Altoona is 0.503. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Altoona, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 25% to 16% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 25% in 2010, and was narrowest at 13% in 2021. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,076 since 2009.
Analyze any area in the US
Get local demographics for any address, aggregated by drive time or radius, on the interactive map.
Explore the map →