$110,693Average Value$47Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Steep hills offer views on Altoona's west side
A drive along the steep hills of Altoona's Garfield neighborhood offers views of the surrounding Allegheny Mountains and a peek at downtown Altoona below. "It's a good, solid neighborhood. It's a mixture of new and old homes, and it's kept up nicely," says Bob Baranik, Altoona native and board member of Amtran, Altoona's transportation authority. He explains that, like most parts of Altoona, the neighborhood was originally established in the 1800s by European immigrants seeking work. "For whatever reason, a lot of the Irish migrated to that part of town," he says. Many of these Irish immigrants were employed by Altoona's railroad industry and helped carve out the famous Horseshoe Curve railway through the mountains. Horseshoe Curve remains one of Altoona's major landmarks and serves as a reminder of the once-thriving railroad industry that jumpstarted the town's economy throughout the second half of the 19th century. Many of the neighborhood's older homes also call back to this era, featuring circa-1800s styles on loosely gridded streets.
Garfield
Garfield
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Homes in the hills on gridded streets
Homes dating from the late-1800s and early-1900s feature American Foursquare, traditional and Colonial Revival styles priced between $50,000 and $150,000. These original houses tend to sit close together and have grassy backyards bigger than their front yards. Many have no front yard at all. Some houses need renovations, while others are equipped with modern upgrades. The western part of the neighborhood has relatively newer homes built throughout the second half of the 20th century. These ranches, split levels and new traditional houses cost between $150,000 and $350,000. Compared to Garfield's eastern side, properties have larger front and backyards, with more space between residences. "My son lives right between Garfield and Westfall. He took one of the older homes in that area, and I talked him into staying there and putting on an addition. It looks very modern. They have a big yard and a pool," Baranik says.
Garfield
Garfield
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Pickleball at Garfield Park and baseball at Vet's Field
Garfield Park is on the neighborhood's western edge and has soccer and baseball fields and six pickleball courts. Blair County Pickleball Club meets at the courts and also offers free lessons for beginners. Locals can also meet for a pickup game at Donald E. Witherspoon Memorial Basketball Court, at the corner of 19th Street and 13th Avenue. Vet's Field Baseball Park is just outside the neighborhood and is regularly used for youth baseball leagues and local school teams. The Booker T. Washington Center, in Garfield's southeastern corner, also hosts youth summer camps and coed volleyball leagues in its recreation facilities. The mountains surrounding Altoona offer more outdoor space and recreational opportunities. Canoe Creek State Park has 12 miles of hiking trails and swimming and boating at Canoe Creek Lake. The lake's glimmering, deep blue water reflects the gently sloping mountains around it.
Garfield
Kids in the Garfield area go to Vet's Field Baseball Park Garfield for organized flag football.
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Our Lady of Fatima church and dining downtown
Garfield is just over a mile from several popular restaurants in downtown Altoona. "My husband and I have started having a date night on Wednesdays and trying new restaurants," says Sue Kuhn, Altoona resident since 1989. "There are so many great restaurants in Altoona." She recommends Tom & Joe's Restaurant, a 1950s-style diner in downtown Altoona with red and white leather seats and checkered floor tiles. Restaurant goers order breakfast platters and sandwiches at this casual spot. Railroad City Brewing Company and Levity Brewing Company, both downtown on 11th Avenue, offer local beers on tap in their trendy venues with exposed brick. For groceries, Aldi is about 3 miles southeast, and Weis is about 4 miles southeast of Garfield. Our Lady of Fatima is a Catholic church on 12th Avenue in the neighborhood. The church's dark stone building and stained-glass windows tower over the homes surrounding it.
Garfield
Garfield
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Horseshoe Curve and Jaffa Shrine
About 6 miles west of Garfield is Horseshoe Curve, the tightly turning railroad track built into the Allegheny Mountains in 1854 by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. The historical site is still popular among visitors today, with freight and passenger trains regularly traversing the tracks. The Jaffa Shrine Center is just south of Garfield. Completed in 1930 by the Jaffa Shriners fraternal group, this venue still hosts community events, including summer concerts and an annual circus in its 3,200-person arena.
Horseshoe Curve is located a few miles outside of the Garfield neighborhood.
The Jaffa Shrine is a historic landmark in the Garfield neighborhood.
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Students attend the Altoona Area School District
Children in Garfield may attend Mowrie A. Ebner Elementary School, which has a C rating from Niche. Students previously attended Wright Elementary School, which closed permanently in 2014. Older students attend Altoona Area Junior High School and Altoona Area High School, which both earn C-pluses from Niche. Down the block from the public high school is the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center. Students have the opportunity for dual enrollment at the vocational school to learn skills and get certifications in career fields like computer programming, automotive technology, emergency services and masonry.
Students from the City of Altoona attend Altoona Area Junior High School.
Altoona Area High School serves the student population from all over Altoona.
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Train tracks and getting around Altoona from Garfield
Residents can hear trains go by on the tracks parallel to 10th Avenue, including passenger trains leaving the Amtrak station downtown. Amtran buses serve the neighborhood, taking commuters to spots like downtown, Logan Valley Mall and Altoona's Penn State campus. UPMC Altoona hospital is 1.5 miles northeast, and Altoona-Blair County Airport is 20 miles southeast. The closest international airport is 115 miles west, in Pittsburgh. Route 36 borders Garfield on the east.
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
Lori Whetstone,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Donald E. Witherspoon Memorial Park
Garfield Park
Vet's Field Baseball Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Garfield
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Garfield, Altoona sell after 91 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Garfield, Altoona over the last 12 months is $77,270, down 27% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming 3-Bedroom Home with Spacious Lot, Entertainer's Deck, and Off-Street Parking!Welcome to this delightful 3-bedroom, 1 1/2-bath home in the heart of Altoona, PA. Nestled on a large city lot, this property combines comfort, convenience, and ample outdoor space.Features you'll love: • 3 Bedrooms: Spacious and inviting, perfect for family or guests. • 1 1/2
This stunning 5-bedroom home, situated on a spacious corner lot with a large yard, has been completely remodeled from head to toe and is truly move-in ready. Every detail has been thoughtfully considered, ensuring both style and functionality throughout. The home boasts a beautifully updated kitchen, featuring ample counter space, perfect for cooking and entertaining. New flooring flows
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Lori Whetstone,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
727
Median Age
40
Population under 18
23.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$58,571
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$77,670
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.9%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
27.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.5%
% Population in Labor Force
65%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
21/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
46/ 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.
