$218,196Average Value$119Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Homes on the hilltop overlooking Altoona
Located on the far southern end of Altoona, Highland Park's placement on a hill offers views of the rolling Allegheny Mountains surrounding the town. "Going up the hill, there are some nice homes; I guess people wanted a bit of a view of the city. They're some of the pricier homes [in Altoona]," says Dr. Michael Farrow, Altoona native and historian at the Blair County Historical Society. Highland Park has homes built throughout the second half of the 20th century, offering more modern options than most of the homes in central Altoona, which were built in the 1800s and early 1900s when the rail industry was booming.
Located on the far end of Altoona, Highland Park's placement offers views of the Allegheny Mts.
Highland Park has homes built throughout the 20th century, offering more modern options.
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Houses have big front lawns with mature trees
Most of the wide residential roads wind up steep hills and don't have sidewalks. Residents can often feel a crisp breeze from their home in the hills: "It's a little cooler up there," says Sue Kuhn, Altoona resident since 1989 and secretary at Pleasant Valley Elementary School. Homes have one- or two-car attached garages and private driveways, alongside front yards with maple and sycamore trees and details like flower beds and American flags. "All the homes [in Highland Park] were developed after World War II," Farrow says. Although surrounding neighborhoods like Llyswen and Mansion Park were developed earlier in the 20th century to cater to commuters on the trolley line, "The trolley went out in 1952, so Highland Park was really on the back end of that," he says. Highland Park's later development lends to a more sprawling neighborhood layout, accommodating drivers more than walkability to the trolley line. Ranches built in the 1950s and 60s cost between $75,000 and $250,000, depending on their condition. Split levels built in the 1970s cost between $150,000 and $200,000, while larger Colonial Revival and traditional style homes built between the 1970s and early 2000s cost between $250,000 and $400,000.
Most homes in central Altoona were built in the early 1900s when the rail industry was booming.
Highland Park lends to a more sprawling neighborhood layout, accommodating drivers more.
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Highland Park, Mansion Park and nearby state parks
Some backyards in the neighborhood blend right into Highland Park, the neighborhood's namesake park on top of the hill with views of the mountains in the distance. Among the trees, the park has a disc golf course, playground and picnic pavilions. About a mile north, Mansion Park Stadium opens its sports facilities to the public, including a football field, tennis courts and baseball fields. Several state parks in the Allegheny Mountains surround Altoona, including Canoe Creek Park, about 11 miles east, and Prince Gallitzin State Park, about 20 miles west. Both parks have swimming and fishing lakes surrounded by densely forested, gently sloping mountains and extensive walking and hiking trail systems.
Among the trees, Highland Park has a disc golf course, playground and picnic pavilion.
About a mile north, Mansion Park Stadium opens its sports facilities to the public for exercise.
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Altoona schools and a vocational option
Students often begin at Baker Elementary School, which earns a B-minus from Niche. Older students attend C-plus-rated Altoona Area Junior High School and C-plus-rated Altoona Area High School. The high school earns an A-minus from Niche for athletics, and the school's football facility, Mansion Park Stadium, is just north of Highland Park. The stadium can hold over 10,000 people for sporting events. Students attending the Altoona Area High School can also enroll at the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center, where they can learn vocational skills such as carpentry, automotive technology and welding.
Older students attend C-plus-rated Altoona Area Junior High School and C-plus-rated Altoona H.S.
at the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center students learn vocational skills.
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Events at Baker Mansion and Altoona Curve baseball
Baker Mansion, in the Mansion Park neighborhood just north of Highland Park, is a circa 1849 Greek Revival home built by Elias Baker, a successful ironmaster who settled in the area in the 1830s. The Blair County Historical Society, which operates out of the property, has restored and preserved the property and offers tours. The historical society also hosts events including afternoon teas, kid-friend Mansion Movie Nights on the lawn and monthly lectures from local historians. One of the most popular activities around town is catching an Altoona Curve minor league baseball game at the Peoples Natural Gas Field, 3 miles east off Interstate 99. "You end up seeing people you haven't seen in a long time [at the baseball stadium]," says Bob Baranick, lifelong Altoona resident and board member of Amtran, Altoona's transportation authority. "You can get a burger and a beer and just enjoy the game."
The Baker Mansion, now a museum, is a Greek Revival home built in 1849.
One of the most popular activities around town is catching an Altoona Curve baseball game.
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Getting around Altoona from Highland Park
Residents can take the Amtran bus from 6th Avenue to downtown and other destinations like Logan Valley Mall and the Penn State Altoona campus. Drivers can reach Pittsburgh about 90 miles west by merging onto US-22 from 6th Avenue. UPMC Altoona, a hospital, is 4 miles north. Altoona-Blair County Airport is 17 miles southeast.
Residents take the Amtran bus to downtown and other destinations like Penn State downtown.
From specialty and urgent care, UPMC provides warm, friendly patient care to Altoona residents.
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Businesses along 6th Avenue and Logan Valley Mall
Highland Park's western border is 6th Avenue, lined with businesses, restaurants and institutions like the Sheetz corporate office, Fiore True Value Hardware store, St. Rose of Lima Church, Dollar General and the WTAJ local television station. Locals shoot pool and catch games at Zach's Sports and Spirits, a laid-back venue with pub grub, beer and cocktails. For groceries, Weis Markets is nearby next to Logan Valley Mall. The mall has retailers such as JCPenney, Bath & Body Works and Old Navy. Downtown Altoona, about 3 and a half miles north, has trendy options such as Levity Brewing Company, which serves up beer in an industrial space with exposed brick walls and high ceilings.
Highland Park's western border is 6th Avenue is lined with businesseslike True Value Hardware.
For groceries Weis Markets is nearby, next to Logan Valley Mall in 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
Highland Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Highland Park
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Highland Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Highland Park, Altoona sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Highland Park, Altoona over the last 12 months is $233,000, up 19% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover the perfect opportunity to build your dream home on this beautiful 0.25-acre wooded lot located in the desirable Highland Park area of Altoona, PA. Nestled in a quiet and well-established neighborhood, this property offers a peaceful, natural setting while still being conveniently close to schools, shopping, and local amenities.
Welcome to 316 Ridge Avenue, a thoughtfully designed 5-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home in Highland Park. Sitting on a private corner lot above Ridge Avenue, this home offers a peaceful setting with mature landscaping, a well-planned layout, and plenty of space for everyday living and entertaining—all while being close to shopping, schools, and parks.Step into the open foyer, where the central
Beautiful building lot. 100 X 120 IRR. .28 Acre. One of Altoona's nicest established neighborhoods near Highland Park. Gas and electric, public water and sewer. Grab it while you can. It's a rare find in the city.
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 Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,497
Median Age
45
Population under 18
21%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$65,535
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$79,219
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.7%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
26.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.9%
% Population in Labor Force
58.7%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
18/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
34/ 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.
