Why Johnstown?

Johnstown offers a distinctive mix of creativity, legacy, and opportunity. Its historic neighborhoods, repurposed industrial buildings, and riverfront setting create a dynamic backdrop for artists, makers, and entrepreneurs. Spaces such as the Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center and the Center for Metal Arts provide places to learn, collaborate, and share work with the community. Ongoing expansions in programming at Bottle Works and the Community Arts Center of Cambria County continue to energize the region’s arts landscape, while a growing mix of local galleries, breweries, cafés, and performance venues adds vibrancy to the downtown.

Surrounded by trails, forests, and access to the Allegheny region, Johnstown blends outdoor recreation with a strong spirit of innovation. With ongoing community investment and a supportive creative network, the city continues to build momentum as a welcoming home for artists and small businesses shaping its next chapter.

Reasons To Be Here

Recognized by Pennsylvania DCED for Innovation & Revitalization

Cost of living:

18% lower than

the national average

Avg. Housing Cost

$110,000

A Low Cost of Living

8% less than

Pittsburgh, PA

25% less than

Philadelphia, PA

53% less than

Washington, DC

86% less than

New York, NY

 

Within 500 miles of 50% of the
US population and 20% of
Canada’s population

Pittsburgh, PA – 1h 30m

Philadelphia, PA – 4h 10m

Washington, DC – 3h 40m

New York, NY – 5h 10m

Cleveland, OH – 3h 25m

Columbus, OH – 4h 10m

Niagara Falls, ON, Canada – 4h 45m

Toronto, ON, Canada – 6h 10m

ACRE Johnstown Partners

JARI is a long-standing leader in regional economic development, supporting entrepreneurs and businesses across Johnstown and the surrounding counties. Their team provides financing, expert guidance, and connections to public and private partners, helping companies at every stage—from early start-ups to established manufacturers—grow and thrive in the region.

The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies strengthens the region through philanthropy, grantmaking, and community investment. Serving Bedford, Cambria, Indiana, and Somerset Counties, the Foundation works with residents, nonprofits, and partners to build long-term resources and support initiatives that enhance quality of life, foster creativity, and support a vibrant future for the region.


ACRE Johnstown Creatives

Past & Future

Johnstown’s story begins as a Shawnee and Delaware village before its municipal founding in 1800 by Joseph Johns. The city grew rapidly as the western terminus of the Allegheny Portage Railroad, where a system of inclined planes carried canal boats over the mountains—some still operating today as historic landmarks. By the late 19th century, Johnstown had become a national force in steelmaking and industrial innovation. As the economy changed, Johnstown continued to reinvent itself, strengthening community partnerships and reinvesting in its historic neighborhoods. Today, that long-standing resilience shapes a community focused on steady, sustainable progress and a more stable future.