| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Alton/100k people | Illinois/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 901 | n/a (estimate) | 3,632 | 2,004 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 12.1 | 5.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 34 | n/a | 137.0 | 46.9 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 29 | n/a | 116.9 | 90.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 173 | n/a | 697.3 | 146.3 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 239 | n/a (estimate) | 963 | 289 | 359 |
| Burglary | 234 | n/a | 943.2 | 290.5 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 369 | n/a | 1,487.4 | 1,134.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 59 | n/a | 237.8 | 290.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 662 | n/a (estimate) | 2,668 | 1,715 | 1,760 |
The Alton crime rates are 71.4% 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 239 violent crimes in Alton (963 per 100,000 people), which is 168.3% higher than the national average and there were a total of 662 property crimes (2668 per 100,000 residents) which is 51.6% higher than average.
Alton ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 963 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Alton stand at 1 in every 104 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Alton is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 3 murders in Alton, which equates to 12 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Alton being a very dangerous place to live.
What do the local residents think about crime in Alton? Well, based on a recent survey of 31 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 48% of Alton residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 52% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
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 71% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 2.47 daily crimes (0.65 violent daily crimes and 1.81 daily property crimes) in Alton.
Year-over-year crime rates in Alton has decreased by 5.8% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Alton is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 66%, while property crime has decreased by 18.5%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Alton.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Alton, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 5.1%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
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 has an average rental rate of $1,218 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. In areas with high rental costs, some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions. Overcrowding can lead to increased stress and tension, which may contribute to domestic disputes and related property or violent crimes. Addressing affordable housing and economic mobility can be important strategies for reducing crime in such areas.
| Item | Alton | Illinois | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 89 | 30,690 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.2 | 2.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Illinois /100K | National /100K |
| Illinois | 32,213 | 263 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Maryville, IL | 8,220 | 60 | 288 | 348 |
| Pasadena Hills, MO | 1,159 | 84 | 354 | 438 |
| Troy, IL | 10,601 | 9 | 460 | 469 |
| Bel-Nor, MO | 1,553 | 119 | 501 | 621 |
| Edwardsville, IL | 25,839 | 30 | 683 | 713 |
| Mitchell, IL | 1,281 | 116 | 686 | 801 |
| Holiday Shores, IL | 3,157 | 117 | 693 | 810 |
| Alton, IL | 27,407 | 963 | 2,668 | 3,632 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Vernon Hills, IL | 27,417 | 60 | 1,465 | 1,525 |
| Batavia, IL | 27,425 | 92 | 752 | 843 |
| Xenia, OH | 27,373 | 279 | 1,460 | 1,739 |
| Bayonet Point, FL | 27,360 | 378 | 2,008 | 2,386 |
| Winona, MN | 27,459 | 188 | 2,296 | 2,484 |
| Alton, IL | 27,407 | 963 | 2,668 | 3,632 |
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