Johnstown
RANK #105 / 996 NAT · #6 / 44 PA · POP 133,263
1YR FORECAST: -0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +36%
Cambria County, Pennsylvania, is perhaps best known for the Johnstown Flood National Memorial, commemorating the devastating 1889 flood that claimed over 2,200 lives. Located in southwestern Pennsylvania, roughly 57 miles east of Pittsburgh, the county offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and natural scenery. The Allegheny Mountains provide a backdrop of rolling hills and forests, with outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking on the Ghost Town Trail or Path of the Flood Trail. Commuting within the county is primarily by car, with an average travel time of 23.4 minutes, though public transit is available through CamTran's fixed-route and "Reserve-a-Ride" services.
Life in Cambria County offers a community feel, attracting families and retirees. The economy, historically tied to coal and steel, has seen shifts, with healthcare and social assistance now the largest employment sectors, followed by retail trade and manufacturing. Educational institutions like Saint Francis University and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown contribute to the local landscape. Recent economic initiatives include growth in small-scale manufacturing, craftspeople, and tourism, with efforts to utilize natural resources like wind and natural gas.
Below national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cambria County ranks #105 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 90/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $54,221 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
By national standards, Cambria County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $110,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.49 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $700/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Cambria County is losing population (-0.6% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (0.0% employment change). Home values are -4.1% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.61% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cambria County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.