| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Altavista/100k people | Virginia/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 107 | n/a (estimate) | 3,227 | 1,788 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 4.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 1 | n/a | 30.2 | 27.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 33.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 8 | n/a | 241.3 | 152.2 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 9 | n/a (estimate) | 271 | 218 | 359 |
| Burglary | 1 | n/a | 30.2 | 108.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 92 | n/a | 2,774.4 | 1,315.9 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 5 | n/a | 150.8 | 145.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 98 | n/a (estimate) | 2,955 | 1,570 | 1,760 |
The Altavista crime rates are 52.3% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 9 violent crimes in Altavista (271 per 100,000 people), which is 24.4% lower than the national average and there were a total of 98 property crimes (2955 per 100,000 residents) which is 67.9% higher than average.
In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Altavista 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.
Is Altavista a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Altavista has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 52%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.29 daily incidents, encompassing 0.02 violent crimes and 0.27 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Altavista as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Altavista. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Altavista has increased by 57.4%. Violent crimes have increased by 50%, while property crimes have increased by 58.1%. 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.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Altavista crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Altavista has an unemployment rate of 8.2%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
In Altavista, the cost of living is 12.19% 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.
High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Altavista are $1,003, compared to a national average of $1,444 per month.
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 | Altavista | Virginia | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 13 | 8,827 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.7 | 3.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Virginia /100K | National /100K |
| Virginia | 25,766 | 352 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Rustburg, VA | 1,632 | 98 | 706 | 804 |
| Hurt, VA | 1,511 | 105 | 757 | 862 |
| Gretna, VA | 1,473 | 112 | 807 | 919 |
| Bedford, VA | 6,790 | 191 | 1,569 | 1,760 |
| Timberlake, VA | 13,515 | 247 | 1,776 | 2,023 |
| Motley, VA | 675 | 313 | 2,258 | 2,571 |
| Altavista, VA | 3,531 | 271 | 2,955 | 3,227 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Abernathy, TX | 3,531 | 143 | 107 | 250 |
| Alma, GA | 3,532 | 545 | 4,444 | 4,989 |
| Smithville-Sanders, IN | 3,532 | 60 | 263 | 322 |
| Paw Paw, MI | 3,530 | 471 | 4,414 | 4,885 |
| Malvern, PA | 3,530 | 29 | 204 | 233 |
| Altavista, VA | 3,531 | 271 | 2,955 | 3,227 |
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