$78,377Average Value$60Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Former railroad town reclaiming itself
Altoona was founded in 1849 by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as a hub for its rail operations and quickly became a crucial center for railroad maintenance and production. The city’s original railyard was located between 9th and 10th avenues, where Altoona’s Amtrak and Amtran station stands today. Mechanics and railroad workers lived in Center City, walking from their American Foursquare houses to their jobs and back again at closing time. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Altoona thrived as a bustling railroad town, with an economy deeply intertwined with the railroad industry and life synchronized with train schedules. With the decline of the railroad in the mid-20th century, Altoona faced economic challenges and has struggled to revitalize the prosperity it once saw. But the city embraces its heritage in the Railroaders Memorial Museum and continues to look toward the future. Here in Center City, the arts thrive and community organizations bring residents together. “I’m excited about the development and refurbishment,” says Tara Enedy, Executive Director of Altoona Community Theatre. “There’s a reenergizing of businesses downtown; there’s an energy that wasn’t happening when I first moved in about 20 years ago.”
The railroad is part of Center City's great American story.
Center City has a lot of railroad history and celebrates it everyday.
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Center City attractions showcase Altoona’s heritage and traditions
Center City is a hub for Altoona’s culture and history. There are two museums in the area: the Railroaders Memorial Museum, which is in the neighborhood, and the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, just outside Center City. The former pays tribute to Altoona’s history and relationship to the railroad. The museum was founded in 1980 after Strasburg was chosen as the site of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Many residents felt there should be a place where Altoona locals could learn about the city’s railroad heritage. Through a grassroots movement and private funding, the museum began as a humble collection of artifacts and, after relocating to a larger building, has grown into numerous displays surrounding the railroad, including a Pennsylvania Railroad K4s classic Pacific locomotive. The nearby Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art – or SAMA – showcases nearly 8,000 American art displays. Part of the longest-running museum satellite system in the nation, SAMA is headquartered at Saint Francis University. Its five locations in Altoona, Bedford, Loretto, Ligonier and Johnstown trade exhibits and host educational programs. The Jaffa Shrine convention center – or “The Jaffa,” as locals call it – is in Center City. This golden brick building with Middle Eastern architectural influences is a meeting space for the Shriners International in Altoona fraternal organization, a group that participates in parades throughout the state and hosts many community events, like a summer concert series. Every year, the circus comes to The Jaffa’s 3,200-seat multipurpose arena, and locals watch acrobats swing from the trapeze and clowns ride unicycles. The facility also has a banquet room, which can be rented out for trade shows and conventions. The Altoona Area Public Library is also in the neighborhood. This nearly 20,000-square-foot facility underwent renovations in 2024, replacing ceiling tiles, carpets and flooring and repainting.
While in Center City you need to make time to visit Railroaders Memorial Museum.
Just over in Downtown Altoona is Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art for Center City to enjoy.
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Early 20th-century housing
Victorian-style and American Foursquare homes line cracked sidewalks in Center City. Most properties have front porches, pitched roofs and dormer windows. 1910 is the median year these historic homes were built, and while 6th Avenue, which runs through the middle of the neighborhood, was once a prominent streetcar line, Center City predates the streetcar. Many of its residences were built to house Pennsylvania Railroad workers, who walked to their jobs at what is today the Altoona Transportation Center. As Altoona’s economy shifted away from being rail-centric, and residential expansion moved to suburbs in and around the city, many of Center City’s homes fell into disrepair. The average home value in the neighborhood is $74,000, significantly lower than the Altoona Metro Area, where the average home value hovers around $217,000. For around $20,000, potential homebuyers can find a property that needs a lot of work – affected by natural disasters or with an unfinished interior. At the top end of the neighborhood’s price range, potential homebuyers can find a detached single-family home with updated interiors and recent renovations for around $200,000. The median home list price in Center City is about $50,000.
Classic home architecture is all around Center City.
Rows of affordable homes line the streets of Center City.
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Altoona’s emerging arts scene
Altoona’s creative culture is growing outside of museums and curated displays. Residents are finding ways to express themselves, and Altoona’s art scene is on the rise. “For a small community, especially in the last decade or so, the arts have exploded,” Enedy says. “It hasn’t necessarily made its way to the larger population yet. But if you’re involved in some way, you’re aware.” Her organization, the Altoona Community Theatre, performs at the 1906 Beaux-Arts style Historic Mishler Theatre about a mile from the neighborhood. They put on four shows a year, and volunteers from throughout the city build sets or sew costumes. Visual artists love the ArtsAltoona organization, which hosts various creative events throughout the year, including Summer Art Camp.
Center City is located on the east side of downtown Altoona.
The 7th Street Bridge links Center City to Downtown Altoona.
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Time outdoors at Prospect Park and Valley View County Park
“One of the best things about Altoona is the accessibility of outdoor activities,” Enedy says. Prospect Park is Center City’s closest green space. Here, kids run around the playground, teens play on the basketball court and fitness enthusiasts utilize the exercise equipment or track. Nearby Valley View County Park spans 45 acres of forests and fields. Visitors can hike or ride their horses on wooded trails, take their kids to the playground or participate in a game on the softball-only diamond. The Valley View Disc Golf Course is in the park and has nine holes on wooded hillsides. The Valley View County Park Amphitheater is tucked deep into the tall surrounding pine trees with views of the Allegheny Mountains. Residents can rent the pavilion or come out for the free summer concert series, where they can hear local musicians while lounging on blankets and lawn chairs.
Shot some hoops with friends at Prospect Park.
Disk Golf is very popular at Valley View County Park.
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Getting around Center City
The Altoona Transportation Center, which hosts Amtrak lines and local Amtran bus stops, is just outside the neighborhood. The Amtrak train travels along the Pennsylvanian line, which runs daily between New York City and Pittsburgh and only comes by once a day, so it is useful for overnight trips but not daily commutes. The Norfolk Southern Railroad also utilizes the tracks to transport freight outside the city, which can make things noisy. However, the only crossroad where traffic stops for the oncoming train is on 31st Street in Toy Town. There are Amtran bus stops throughout the neighborhood, allowing locals to travel the city via public transit. The entrance to U.S. Interstate 99, which leads throughout the state, is about 3 miles away. I-99 starts the roughly 97-mile drive west to Pittsburgh and leads about 40 miles northeast to State College, where Penn State fans crowd Beaver Stadium in the fall. In case of emergency, the UPMC Altoona Station Medical Center is in the neighborhood. And when it’s time to fly, the Altoona-Blair County Airport is about 20 miles south.
Amtrak makes a stop in Altoona and Center City residents can ride the rails.
From Center City you can catch an Amtran bus to anywhere around Altoona.
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Mom-and-pop eateries in and around Center City
There are a few local restaurants that Center City residents can walk or drive to. In the morning, locals love Greenbean Coffee House’s drive-through, where they can order morning coffee or a treat for breakfast. The café is also popular during lunch hour, with a variety of sandwiches on the menu. JJ Hadley & Co. Brewers is just outside the neighborhood. Enedy notes that the restaurant is known for its woodfired pizza. There's also an extensive list of beer and cocktails that visitors can sip on next to floor-to-ceiling windows that open in warm weather. Levity Brewing Co. is nearby and popular on the weekends, with an exposed brick interior and an industrial vibe. Plus, there’s more to come. “In general, we have some energetic young developers in downtown that remember the downtown Altoona of 30 or 40 years ago,” Enedy says. “They have community pride, and they want to see that come back.” On nearby 11th Ave, in the run-down former McCrory’s Department Store, big changes are coming. The building will be converted into a contemporary mixed-use facility. The second and third floors of the building will have apartments, while the lower level will have shops and restaurants, colloquially dubbed “the center city market.” Christopher Cook, the project’s developer, claims that the businesses inside won’t compete with those that already surround the facility, helping to revitalize downtown Altoona. The closest grocery store, Weis Market, is about 2 miles away, and locals need to drive or catch a bus to shop there.
Stop in to Greenbean Coffee House in Center City for your wake up call.
Center City knows that JJ Hadley in Downtown Altoona has the best pizza in the area.
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The Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center educates children and adults
Students are zoned for the Altoona Area School District. They can attend Penn-Lincoln Elementary School, which gets a C from Niche, before Altoona Area Junior High School and Altoona Area High School, which both earn C-pluses from Niche. The high school has two buildings – Building A and Building B – which are connected via a glass pedestrian bridge over 6th Avenue in Center City. Building B houses the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center, a vocational school educating high schoolers on various trades, including construction and informational technology. The center also serves adults on a different schedule, offering diploma programs in wielding, dental assistance, practical nursing and more.
Altoona Area High School serves the student population from all over Altoona.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Lorraine Spock,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Valley View County Park
Prospect Park
Vet's Field Baseball Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Center City
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Center City Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Center City, Altoona sell after 57 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Center City, Altoona over the last 12 months is $70,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
3 bedroom home with main floor laundry. Potential for a 4th bedroom if the attic were to be finished. The exterior needs some TLC but has a lot of potential. It was previously used for a rental investment property. There is a covered rear patio, small yard and off street parking.
All brick 3-4 bedroom home, main floor laundry and off street parking. Carpets were just cleaned. The attic is finished and has electric heat. Property was recently used for a rental investment property. The front of the home has recently had repointing completed.
Large 3 unit income producing investment property. Fully occupied and ready for your portfolio. There is an additional carport area to the rear of the property, this could possibly be enclosed for additional storage or storage rental income.
517 18th Street combines an ultra-convenient location with sophisticated design and high-performance building systems. As you approach the building, you will appreciate its modern appearance and amenities, including a private patio or balcony for each apartment. Your home is located one block from 17th Street, two blocks from the public library; walkable to the Station Medical Center, the Altoona
2nd Floor executive studio apt in historic building 8 mins from UPMC Available furnished for $1,564/month for 3 month minimum • LR with sofa bed and upholstered arm chair and smart TV dining area with 2-seat dining table kitchen with sink, microwave oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, stove and coffee maker Queen bed in bedroom 8-1/2-feet of wardrobe space bathroom with vanity, toilet and shower
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Lorraine Spock,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,382
Median Age
39
Population under 18
24.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$35,583
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$46,498
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85.3%
College Graduates
9.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.7%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.1%
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
50/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
73/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
