Altoona, PA

Business Ideas & Market Opportunities

The Altoona market is currently outpacing the national growth rate. Our analysis identifies 20 active sectors where local supply has not yet met the demand indicated by the national baseline.

Active Local Businesses

3,208

Total Competition Pool

Market Size

122K

Total Metro Population

5-Year Growth Rate

+2.1%

🔥 Outpacing US(+0.1% avg)

Underserved Sectors

49

Niches with LQ < 0.8

Analyst Tip

Viewing all opportunities. Use the View Mode toggle above to filter by business model, or search to find specific niches.

Showing 20 of 81 opportunities

Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings

Growth
+141.7%
Scale
$98K PAY
Saturation
1.08
29 establishments

Convenience Stores

Growth
+100.0%
Scale
$62K PAY
Saturation
1.07
14 establishments

Investment Advice

Growth
+66.7%
Scale
$118K PAY
Saturation
1.20
10 establishments

Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)

Growth
+66.7%
Scale
$3.9M PAY
Saturation
1.67
10 establishments

Food Service Contractors

Growth
+62.5%
Scale
$397K PAY
Saturation
1.24
13 establishments

Masonry Contractors

Growth
+60.0%
Scale
$460K PAY
Saturation
2.54
16 establishments

Other Personal Care Services

Growth
+50.0%
Scale
$95K PAY
Saturation
1.04
12 establishments

Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses

Growth
+45.5%
Scale
$516K PAY
Saturation
0.81
16 establishments

Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars

Growth
+45.0%
Scale
$346.0M REV
Saturation
0.95
34 establishments

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services

Growth
+42.9%
Scale
$102K PAY
Saturation
1.10
10 establishments

Roofing Contractors

Growth
+41.7%
Scale
$365K PAY
Saturation
1.89
17 establishments

Meat Markets

Growth
+37.5%
Scale
$223K PAY
Saturation
6.34
11 establishments

Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)

Growth
+33.3%
Scale
$201K PAY
Saturation
0.71
12 establishments

Barber Shops

Growth
+33.3%
Scale
$294.0M REV
Saturation
2.89
21 establishments

All Other General Merchandise Stores

Growth
+31.0%
Scale
$184K PAY
Saturation
2.37
38 establishments

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers

Growth
+30.0%
Scale
$192K PAY
Saturation
0.87
13 establishments

Credit Unions

Growth
+27.3%
Scale
$272K PAY
Saturation
2.07
14 establishments

Temporary Help Services

Growth
+25.0%
Scale
$3.4M PAY
Saturation
0.81
10 establishments

Other Individual and Family Services

Growth
+23.8%
Scale
$497K PAY
Saturation
1.96
26 establishments

Engineering Services

Growth
+23.1%
Scale
$1.9M PAY
Saturation
0.71
16 establishments

Analyst Insights & Due Diligence

Administrative data provides the map, but not the terrain. We recommend three specific validation steps for Altoona:

1

Demographic Fit

Does the local population age or income level explain the "Supply Gaps"? (e.g., A gap in luxury services may be due to lower local income).

2

Regulatory Check

Verify local licensing requirements. High barriers to entry often protect "High Yield" sectors from new competition.

3

Competitor Health

Investigate the "Momentum" sectors. Are existing businesses thriving, or is the growth due to high turnover and failure rates?