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CITY · 2020 ACS

Alton

Iowa · 1,248 residents · 1.902 sq mi
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The short version

Alton is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $83,889. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $143,900. Poverty is rare here, at 2.8% of residents. Households here earn about 36% more than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 37.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,248
+14%since 2000
from 1,095 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
656 / sq mi
+14%since 2000
from 576 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.0
−2%since 2000
from 37.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K1K2K1990201020202024Alton
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$83,889
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,911 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,036
+104%since 2000
from $16,663 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
55.7%
+25.3 ptssince 2009
from 30.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
2.8%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information17.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade16.2%
US avg: 10%
Other services8.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration8.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade6.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance2.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$143,900
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $74,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$892
+63%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $365 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
82.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 81.3% in 2000
17.8% rent
Afford Score
1.7
−8%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic87.9%(1,097)
Black1.8%(23)
Hispanic / Latino6.5%(81)
Asian0.5%(6)
Other2.7%(33)
Diversity Score26.6%(331)
Diversity Score
27
+878%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.6%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 17.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.1%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 87.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.6%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.9 min
+19%since 2000
from 10.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 86.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
0.5%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2011
from 2.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
80.8%
+8.4 ptssince 2011
from 72.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
49.5%
−16.0 ptssince 2009
from 65.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.8%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
Female
52.2%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
Foreign born
3.6%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.0%
−90.1 ptssince 2013
from 92.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Alton to nearby cities

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ALTON VS
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ALTON VS
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ALTON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Alton, Iowa?

Alton, Iowa has about 1,248 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Alton, Iowa?

The typical household in Alton, Iowa earns about $83,889 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 $143,900, and the typical rent is about $892 a month.

How educated are people in Alton, Iowa?

About 22.6% 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 2.8% 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 189 residents, a change of about 18 percent over that period.

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

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