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CITY

Alton

Iowa · 1,254 residents (2025 est.) · 1.902 sq mi
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The short version

Alton is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $98,036. Population has grown 33% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $218,900. Poverty is rare here, at 2.6% of residents. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income. Households here earn about 31% more than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 62%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,459
+33%since 2000
from 1,095 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
767 / sq mi
+33%since 2000
from 576 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.1
+1%since 2000
from 37.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,254 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K1K2K1990201020202024Alton
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$98,036
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,911 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$46,530
+179%since 2000
from $16,663 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
64.4%
+34.0 ptssince 2009
from 30.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
2.6%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.363
−2%since 2010
from 0.369 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade20.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services9.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration9.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade7.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$218,900
+62%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $74,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$813
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $365 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
87.8%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 81.3% in 2000
12.2% rent
Vacancy rate
8.9%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.3%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
9.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.2
+20%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
67
RELATED:See current rent listings in Alton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.7%(1,081)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(12)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.7%(30)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.9%(1,268)
Black2.2%(32)
Hispanic / Latino6%(87)
Asian1%(14)
Other4%(58)
Diversity Score29.9%(436)
Diversity Score
30
+1000%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.3%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 17.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.7%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 87.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.7 min
+35%since 2000
from 10.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
90.3%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 86.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.1%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2011
from 2.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
80.0%
+7.7 ptssince 2011
from 72.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.7%
+13.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
52.1%
−13.4 ptssince 2009
from 65.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.3%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
Female
48.7%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
Foreign born
2.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.2%
−42.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.3%
−4.8 ptssince 2012
from 13.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.5%
−90.6 ptssince 2013
from 92.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.8%
+6.7 ptssince 2017
from 81.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2016
from 93.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.1%
−3.6 ptssince 2016
from 6.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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ALTON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Alton, Iowa?

Alton, Iowa has about 1,459 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Alton, Iowa?

The typical household in Alton, Iowa earns about $98,036 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Alton, Iowa expensive?

In Alton, Iowa, the median home is worth about $218,900, and the typical rent is about $813 a month.

How educated are people in Alton, Iowa?

About 24.3% of adults age 25 and over in Alton, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Alton, Iowa?

About 2.6% of people in Alton, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Alton, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Alton, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 400 residents, a change of about 38 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →