| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Altoona/100k people | Iowa/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 483 | n/a (estimate) | 2,154 | 1,540 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 2.1 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 2 | n/a | 8.9 | 35.2 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 3 | n/a | 13.4 | 18.7 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 27 | n/a | 120.4 | 187.2 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 32 | n/a (estimate) | 143 | 243 | 359 |
| Burglary | 26 | n/a | 116.0 | 199.1 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 398 | n/a | 1,775.0 | 962.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 27 | n/a | 120.4 | 135.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 451 | n/a (estimate) | 2,011 | 1,297 | 1,760 |
Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Altoona is 1.7% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 32 violent crimes reported in Altoona, equivalent to 143 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 60.3%. Additionally, Altoona recorded 451 property crimes, amounting to 2011 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 14.3%.
The Altoona crime rate is about average when compared to all the other cities across the U.S. per 100,000 residents. When we compared the total crimes (violent and property) in Altoona, we found that the reported crime rates were almost equal to the average of all other areas that reported crime.
In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Altoona reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.
The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Altoona is very similar to the national average. Altoona had a property crime rate of 2011, while the national average was 1760. Based on these numbers, you could expect an average amount of property crime in this area.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Altoona. Based on the results of the surveys (5 responses), 0% of people felt that there was very little crime in Altoona and felt safe walking alone at night. While 100% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Altoona, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Altoona presents a total crime rate that is 2% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Altoona experiences an average of 1.32 daily crimes, comprising 0.09 violent incidents and 1.24 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Altoona. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Altoona has increased by 11.8%. Violent crimes have decreased by 40.7%, while property crimes have increased by 19.3%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Altoona crime rates. In Altoona, the poverty rate stands at 7.1%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
In Altoona, the cost of living is 3.65% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
The median home price in Altoona is $349,859, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Altoona | Iowa | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 25 | 3,827 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.7 | 1.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Iowa /100K | National /100K |
| Iowa | 6,040 | 205 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Prairie City, IA | 1,880 | 58 | 175 | 233 |
| Norwalk, IA | 11,804 | 109 | 180 | 289 |
| Polk City, IA | 4,940 | 31 | 290 | 320 |
| Saylorville, IA | 2,841 | 64 | 340 | 403 |
| Mitchellville, IA | 2,467 | 38 | 376 | 413 |
| Colfax, IA | 1,935 | 132 | 309 | 442 |
| Cumming, IA | 550 | 98 | 524 | 622 |
| Altoona, IA | 19,348 | 143 | 2,011 | 2,154 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Claremore, OK | 19,346 | 291 | 1,623 | 1,913 |
| North Valley Stream, NY | 19,342 | 234 | 1,060 | 1,295 |
| Willimantic, CT | 19,354 | 174 | 816 | 990 |
| Westbrook, ME | 19,325 | 175 | 1,155 | 1,330 |
| Point Pleasant, NJ | 19,373 | 75 | 439 | 513 |
| Altoona, IA | 19,348 | 143 | 2,011 | 2,154 |
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