Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Altoona, PA has a Safety Score of 35/100 — higher crime than 64% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,185.1 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,917 of 2,971 US cities and #162 of 197 in Pennsylvania.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Altoona, Pennsylvania Safe?
Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, Altoona was once a vital railroad town, home to the Pennsylvania Railroad's extensive shops. Its population of around 44,000 reflects a legacy of industrial heritage.
Altoona has a safety score of 35/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,185.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Altoona ranks #162 out of 197 cities in Pennsylvania and #1917 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 36th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 64% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Altoona is rape, at 75.4 per 100K — 1.7x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.3x the national rate.
Year over year, Altoona's total crime rate increased by 3.2%, with violent crime rising 17.1%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Altoona Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 142 | 334.7 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 2.4 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 32 | 75.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 31 | 73.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 78 | 183.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 785 | 1,850.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 141 | 332.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 595 | 1,402.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 49 | 115.5 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Altoona vs Pennsylvania Average
How does Altoona's crime rate compare to the Pennsylvania state average?
| Metric | Altoona | Pennsylvania Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 334.7 | 359.1 | -6.8% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,850.4 | 2,103.7 | -12.0% |
| Murder Rate | 2.4 | 7.1 | -66.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,185.1 | 2,462.7 | -11.3% |
Altoona Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Altoona, Pennsylvania.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 42,424 | 2,185.1 | 334.7 | 1,850.4 |
| 2023 | 42,666 | 2,116.4 | 285.9 | 1,830.5 |
| 2020 | 43,090 | 2,325.4 | 443.3 | 1,882.1 |
| 2019 | 43,429 | 2,162.2 | 607.9 | 1,554.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Altoona, Pennsylvania safe?
Altoona has a safety score of 35/100, meaning it has less crime than about 35% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,185.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Altoona is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
According to FBI data for 2024, Altoona has a violent crime rate of 334.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,850.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Altoona compare to the national average?
Altoona's total crime rate of 2,185.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 42,424 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 35/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.