Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Altoona, IA has a Safety Score of 36/100 — higher crime than 64% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,154.1 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,890 of 2,971 US cities and #26 of 38 in Iowa.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Altoona, Iowa Safe?
Altoona, Iowa, a Des Moines suburb, is home to Adventureland Park. This growing city in Polk County has a population of over 20,000.
Altoona has a safety score of 36/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,154.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Altoona ranks #26 out of 38 cities in Iowa and #1890 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 36th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 64% of US cities.
Year over year, Altoona's total crime rate increased by 4.2%, with violent crime declining 5.6%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Altoona Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 32 | 142.7 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 2 | 8.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 13.4 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 27 | 120.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 451 | 2,011.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 26 | 116.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 398 | 1,775.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 27 | 120.4 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Altoona vs Iowa Average
How does Altoona's crime rate compare to the Iowa state average?
| Metric | Altoona | Iowa Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 142.7 | 350.8 | -59.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,011.4 | 2,046.4 | -1.7% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,154.1 | 2,397.2 | -10.1% |
Altoona Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Altoona, Iowa.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22,422 | 2,154.1 | 142.7 | 2,011.4 |
| 2023 | 22,492 | 2,067.4 | 151.2 | 1,916.2 |
| 2022 | 21,830 | 1,722.4 | 197.0 | 1,525.4 |
| 2021 | 20,064 | 2,178.0 | 274.1 | 1,903.9 |
| 2020 | 19,804 | 2,499.5 | 277.7 | 2,221.8 |
| 2019 | 19,441 | 2,474.2 | 128.6 | 2,345.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Altoona, Iowa safe?
Altoona has a safety score of 36/100, meaning it has less crime than about 36% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,154.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Altoona is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Altoona, Iowa?
According to FBI data for 2024, Altoona has a violent crime rate of 142.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,011.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Altoona compare to the national average?
Altoona's total crime rate of 2,154.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 22,422 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Altoona?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Altoona include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Altoona safe to visit?
Like any city, Altoona has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 36/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.