Columbia Park was once a stop along the streetcar line that ran up and down Altoona's 6th Avenue. The neighborhood lies between the residential community of Allegheny Furnace to the south and downtown Altoona, with its Railroaders Memorial Museum, Amtrak station and local restaurants, to the north. Columbia Park, situated in a small triangular cutout between 6th and Union Avenues, is a blend of both communities. It offers the larger single-family homes of Allegheny Furnace on urban lots typical of downtown Altoona. “It’s a nice community,” says Tara Enedy, Executive Director of the Altoona Community Theatre. “It’s small enough that you know your neighbors, but in a bigger city, so there are amenities nearby.”
Columbia Park has rows of large homes adjacent to Tuckahoe Park.
The Allegheny Furnace is an historic iron furnace, which is located in Columbia Park.
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Urban single-family homes in Columbia Park
American Foursquares, Dutch Farmhouses, Craftsmans, bungalows and Victorian-style detached single-family homes line Columbia Park’s cracked sidewalks. This is where the suburban community of Allegheny Furnace merges with Altoona’s urban streets, blending the housing styles of both. In some parts of Columbia Park, lots are so close together that someone standing between two houses could touch both. With most homes built in the first few decades in the 1900s, the neighborhood’s residential development reflects Altoona’s railroad boom in the early 20th century and its need for residences to house railroad workers. These days, the properties run in the $110,000 to $300,000 range. There are some homes available for under $100,000; however, they require a lot of fixing up.
Columbia Park has many american foursquare style homes.
Rows of older homes line the streets in Columbia Park.
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Altoona schools educating kids and adults
Students are zoned for the Altoona Area School District. They can attend Pleasant Valley 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 who may need different schedules, offering diploma programs in welding, dental assistance, practical nursing and more.
Altoona Area High School serves the student population from all over Altoona.
Students from the City of Altoona attend Altoona Area Junior High School.
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Tuckahoe Park and Mansion Park Stadium
Tuckahoe Park is in the neighborhood and offers a place for Columbia Park residents to get outside. It's best known for its Circle of Hope sculpture, which was built by a Blair County resident who lost her son to a drug overdose. In his memory, she commissioned an art piece that both brings awareness to the effects of addiction and expresses hope for those suffering. The sculpture shows a metal man with his hand covering his face, his body made up of smaller metal people, and a large heart-shaped cutout in his chest. Surrounding the man is a ring that reads “Love, Hope, Support.” The neighborhood also borders Mansion Park Stadium, where Altoona High’s varsity and junior varsity teams play their games. It seats over 10,000, and the public can use its track.
Tuckahoe Park features the Circle of Hope Sculpture which honors those lost to substance abuse.
Mansion Park
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Mom-and-pop restaurants nearby
Columbia Park residents are just steps away from various restaurants. “There are a lot of mom-and-pop restaurants in Altoona,” Enedy says. Within the neighborhood, there are two pizza places: 29th Street Pizza Subs & More and Best Way Pizza. They’re both casual spots, more popular for takeout than dining in. Columbia Park’s Black & Gold Tavern is open late; patrons here sip drinks from the low-light bar or shoot pool until 2 a.m. Just north of the neighborhood, Jack & George’s is a popular spot for family dinners, with a medieval knight at its entrance that kids like to take photos in front of. The restaurant serves casual American fare and has an expansive dessert case. There are two grocery stores about 2 miles south: Martin's and Weis Market. “You need a bus or a car to get to major shopping areas,” Enedy says. In the same area, there are numerous big-box stores and chain restaurants, as well as the Logan Valley Mall, an indoor shopping center with various retailers, from JCPenney to Children’s Place.
The Black and Gold Tavern is a Columbia Park staple of Steelers fans.
Bestway Pizza in Columbia Park serves up the freshest slices in town.
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Houses of worship and the Women’s Club of Altoona
There are a few houses of worship in Columbia Park, including Temple Beth Israel and Altoona Bible Church. The Women’s Club of Altoona is also in the neighborhood and provides a social organization for female residents over the age of 18. They meet in a stone Colonial-style house to discuss the city’s historic preservation and traditions. The organization also hosts events for members throughout the year, like A Night at the Races, where they watch the Kentucky Derby, and partner with local organizations, like the Altoona Community Theatre.
The Altoona Women's Club is proudly located in Columbia Park.
Temple Beth Israel is a warm and welcoming Reform Synagogue located in Columbia Park.
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Getting around Columbia Park
Union and 6th avenues, two major roadways that lead throughout Altoona, border the neighborhood. Amtran bus routes run along main roads and lead throughout the city via public transit. Downtown Altoona’s Amtrak station, which leads from New York to Pittsburgh on the Pennsylvanian line, is about 2 miles north of the neighborhood. With a gridded street pattern and sidewalks, Columbia Park is walkable; however, residents will need to drive or take the bus to reach major attractions. The closest airport, the Altoona-Blair County Airport is about 20 miles south.
Columbia Park enjoys many options for public transportation.
Columbia Park sits at the intersection of 6th and Union streets.
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
Tuckahoe Park
Mansion Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Columbia Park
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Columbia Park, Altoona sell after 76 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Columbia Park, Altoona over the last 12 months is $192,857, up 8% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Two adjoining vacant lots offering endless potential in a high-traffic area—ideal for your next investment or development project. One lot is zoned commercial, and the other residential, providing flexibility for a variety of uses. Both lots are partially cleared and situated on a gentle slope, making them ready for your vision.Whether you're considering a retail store, office space,
Approximately 2.51 acres off Union Ave in logan township! This property features a predominantly wooded landscape with picturesque hills and slopes. The varied topography offers possibilities for creative land use as well as having historical connection to The Baker Mansion Estate!
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
710
Median Age
40
Population under 18
24.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$63,266
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$71,493
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.6%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
25.5%
Advanced Degrees
4.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.8%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
48/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
68/ 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.
