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C-

Is Altoona, Pennsylvania Safe?

Population 42,347 · Safer than 27% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Altoona is a smaller community of 42,347 people with a C- safety grade. Crime runs above the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 234.7 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,339 per 100K.

Altoona Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricAltoonaPennsylvania AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate431.4314.3363.8
Property Crime Rate1915.91983.01,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate342.0--268.2
Theft Rate1339.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate456.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC-

234.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

431/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1916/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Altoona

Violent crime in Altoona is above the national average. The rate of 431.4 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1915.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,339 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 342 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Altoona Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault342
01.3x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery59
093% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary321
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,339
096% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft456
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Altoona Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Altoona
431.4
State
314.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Altoona
1915.9
State
1983.0
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Altoona Safety

Is Altoona safe?
Not especially. Altoona earns a C- with a crime rate of 234.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Altoona?
234.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 431.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1915.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Altoona safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Altoona's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,339 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Altoona?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Altoona generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Altoona police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Altoona?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Altoona's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Altoona compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Below average for the state. Altoona ranks behind about 65% of Pennsylvania cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Altoona to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Altoona?
Bad. A C- grade and 234.7 per-thousand rate put Altoona below 73% of US cities. Violent crime at 431 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Altoona?
431.4 per 100,000, which is 19% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (342), robbery (59), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

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View all Pennsylvania city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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