Northern Cambria is a rural, central Pennsylvania borough with a rich history, set among the hardwood forests and scenic ridges of the Allegheny Mountains. In the late 1800s, the area’s population rapidly increased with European immigrants coming to work in the community’s coal fields, and mining remained a major industry until the 1980s. While the population has since declined, Northern Cambria still draws in those looking for a quiet lifestyle with easy access to outdoor recreation and larger towns like Indiana and Johnstown. “Northern Cambria is a small, peaceful community with reasonable prices,” says Ethel Solinski, a local real estate broker with Ethel Solinski Realty who has been living in the area for years. “The area is home to a lot of retirees and outdoor lovers, and we have a lot of amenities for a small town. Many locals enjoy gardening, fishing, and just spending time in the outdoors.”
Northern Cambria blends retail and residential blocks beneath the Allegheny ridgeline.
Try some disk golf with Northern Cambria friends at Prince Gallitzin State Park.
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Attractive home prices and historic charm
The borough’s quiet streets are lined with century-old architecture and newer construction, from American Foursquares and farmhouses to ranch-style homes and Colonial Revivals. Most homes sit close together on small lots, while on the outskirts of town, some properties reach over half an acre. Houses in Cambria County are significantly lower than the Pennsylvania average, with a median price of $160,000. In Northern Cambria, fixer-uppers needing renovation range from $10,000 to $50,000, while move-in-ready homes can sell for $70,000 to $210,000, with prices increasing alongside modern upgrades and property size.
Northern Cambria’s hillside homes offer scenic views of Pennsylvania’s Allegheny range.
Brick foursquare homes sit on tree-lined lots in Northern Cambria.
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Career-based learning at North Cambria High School
Most local students are served by Northern Cambria Elementary School, which earns a C-plus grade from Niche. Northern Cambria Junior-Senior High School receives a B-minus and partners with Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Saint Francis University and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College for its dual enrollment courses. The high school also offers a variety of career-based courses, from robotics engineering and metalworking to accounting and video broadcasting and editing. The Northern Cambria Public Library hosts regular community events, including a monthly book club, craft workshops and weekly story times.
Northern Cambria High School earns a B- rating for academics and student experience.
Northern Cambria Middle School shares a campus with the elementary in a unified learning environment.
Students begin their academic journey at Northern Cambria Elementary School.
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Local eateries and amenities in Northern Cambria
The community has a small selection of businesses downtown and along Bigler Avenue. Just Love Coffee Cafe serves specialty espresso drinks, tea, waffles and breakfast burritos. Mosscreek Bar & Grill is a local favorite for pub fare and drinks, with pool tables and wing nights every Tuesday. Northern Cambria also has numerous pizza restaurants, from Starlite to Italian Village Pizza. Downtown also has an Indiana Regional Medical Center clinic. For groceries, shoppers can stop by the nearby Giant Eagle or BiLo Foods. “The BiLo has a great selection of meats, hot dinner food and a really good bakery,” Solinski says. “Plus the Bobik’s Home Center is right across the street and has almost as much as Lowe’s in terms of hardware.” The city of Indiana is around 25 miles away and has a wide offering of shops, eateries and big-box stores.
Just Love Coffee Cafe serves espresso in the heart of Northern Cambria’s downtown district.
Giant Eagle serves as Northern Cambria’s primary grocery store for everyday essentials.
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Recreation at Prince Gallitzin State Park and off-roading trails
Prince Gallitzin State Park is a short drive east of town, home to a 1,635-acre lake, dozens of campsites and swimming areas. Visitors can take a dip or play sand volleyball at Muskrat Beach, or start a day on the water at the Wyerough Boat Launch. Anglers can reel in bass, pike and bluegill, while hikers and mountain bikers can enjoy over 30 miles of trails. The Rock Run Recreation Area has 140 miles of off-road trails for ATV, side-by-side and dirt bike riding. The public Cambrian Hills Golf Course features nine well-maintained greens and fairways with panoramic views of the Appalachian foothills.
Scenic trails and docks line the Glendale Lake Marina in Prince Gallitzin State Park.
Cambrian Hills Golf Course offers scenic fairways in Northern Cambria.
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Cambria County bus routes and access to Altoona and Pittsburg
CamTran has bus routes connecting Northern Cambria to the nearby towns of Hastings, Patton and Ebensburg. The borough is around 25 miles from Altoona and roughly 80 miles from downtown Pittsburgh. The Johnstown Airport offers a small selection of commercial flights, around 30 miles south.
Small flight options are available at John Murtha Johnstown Airport near Northern Cambria.
CamTran buses connect Northern Cambria residents to nearby towns and services.
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Written By
Jillian Pillow
Photography Contributed By
Ellie Brown
Video By
Alex Finneran
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Mary Kay Barton,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Northern Cambria, PA sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Northern Cambria, PA over the last 12 months is $90,000, up 58% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
NORTHERN CAMBRIA- 2 story, 4 BR aluminum sided home on a 75 x 150 lot. Wraparound porch. Oil HW cast iron BB /radiator heat. 4 off street parking spaces in rear. Call for more details! Broker owned.
Scott StrayerCentury 21 Strayer & Assoc., Inc-Ebensburg
Welcome to 1108 Maple Avenue in Northern Cambria Borough - an impeccably maintained all-brick home showcasing extensive updates including the roof, windows, sewer system, fully rebuilt furnace, soffit & fascia, gutters, hot water tank, custom blinds, & more. The main floor offers a bright sun porch, a large living room, a generous dining room, & a fully updated eat-in kitchen w/ included
Nestled on an expansive 4.93-acre wooded lot, this three-bedroom and three-bath residence is thoughtfully designed to cater to a variety of lifestyle needs. Upon entering, you'll find a welcoming living room that seamlessly opens into the dining room and kitchen area, creating an ideal space for entertaining and family gatherings. Adjacent to the kitchen is a convenient laundry area. The primary
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