F
73%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
146%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
60%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleAlton/100k peopleIllinois/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,016n/a (estimate)4,0301,9702,324
Murder1n/a4.07.86.3
Rape51n/a202.348.140.0
Robbery24n/a95.284.766.1
Assault153n/a606.9146.7268.2
Violent crime229n/a (estimate)908287370
Burglary122n/a483.9208.5269.8
Theft509n/a2,018.91,192.71,401.9
Vehicle theft156n/a618.8281.6282.7
Property crime787n/a (estimate)3,1221,6831,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Alton, IL

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Alton crime rate is 73.4% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Alton, there were 229 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 908 per 100,000 individuals, 145.6% higher than the national average. Additionally, Alton recorded 787 property crimes, amounting to 3122 per 100,000 residents, 59.7% higher than the U.S. average.

With a total of 4030 crimes per 100,000 people, the Alton crime rates stand at 73.39 higher than the national average. Consequently, the area grapples with one of the nation's highest total crime rates. Addressing this challenge is crucial for enhancing the safety and livability in Alton, making it a priority to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative efforts to secure a better future for residents and prospective residents.

With a violent crime rate of 908 crimes per 100,000 residents, Alton is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Alton ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 111 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.

Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Alton has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Alton reported 156 vehicle thefts, which equates to 619 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Alton is 1 in 162.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Alton?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Alton residents. Out of the respondents (29 in total), 52% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Alton were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 48% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Alton a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Alton is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Alton has a total crime rate that is 73% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 2.78 daily crimes (0.63 violent daily crimes and 2.16 daily property crimes) in Alton.

Has Crime in Alton Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Alton. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Alton has increased by 6.3%. Violent crimes have increased by 59%, while property crimes have increased by 3.1%. 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.

Potential Causes for Crime in Alton

The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Alton, 82.7% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Alton, the cost of living is 20.43% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

In Alton, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 3.2 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.

Alton crime map



The Alton crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Alton as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Alton crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Alton crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Crime Quick Facts

  • Alton crime rates are 73% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Alton are 146% higher than the national average
  • In Alton you have a 1 in 25 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Alton is safer than 5% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Alton has increased by 9%

Alton, IL Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Alton (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Alton on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of Illinois and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Alton (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Illinois, are 2.05 times more than the state average and 1.73 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Alton on a daily basis are 3.16 times more than than Illinois average and 2.46 times more than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Alton are 1.86 times more than the daily state average and 1.60 times more than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Alton (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Alton, Illinois compared to other areas of Illinois, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Alton safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Alton is safer than 2% of Illinois cities, and 5% compared to all other cities across America. These statistics are calculated by taking a closer look at each city's crime rate in Illinois, as well as the rest of the US. It is then determined which cities see less crime than Alton. At this time, Alton sees a below average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Alton

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Alton is 1 in 111
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Alton is 1 in 33
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Alton is 1 in 25
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Alton? In Alton, you have a 1 in 111 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 33. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Alton, IL is 1 in 25.

        Year Over Year Crime In Alton (per 100,000 people)

        Determining whether Alton is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Alton violent crime rates have increased by 63%. At the same time, property crime has decreased by 1% year over year. Total crimes for Alton has increased by 9% in the same time frame.

        Alton police department

        Item Alton Illinois National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)8930,690558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.22.63.3
        There are a total of 89 Alton police officers. This results in 3.2 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 20.9% greater than the Illinois average and 1.5% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Illinois

        State Total offenders Illinois /100K National /100K
        Illinois32,213263266
        There are a total of 32,213 sex offenders in Illinois. This yields a total of 263 sex offenders in Illinois per 100,000 residents which is 1% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Calverton Park, MO1,430000
        Maryville, IL7,962134452586
        Bethalto, IL9,258172430601
        Troy, IL10,278107497604
        Holiday Shores, IL3,080102597699
        South Roxana, IL2,304212584796
        Edwardsville, IL25,33264780844
        Alton, IL26,4909083,1224,030

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Batavia, IL26,4791001,0581,158
        Pearl, MS26,4622541,8102,064
        Wooster, OH26,5572732,3662,639
        Brownsburg, IN26,56077846924
        Garden City, MI26,5651428691,011
        Alton, IL26,4909083,1224,030
        Source: The Alton, IL crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.