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CITY · 2010 ACS

Alton

Illinois · 27,865 residents · 15.671 sq mi
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The short version

Alton has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $38,073. Population has declined 9% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $84,500. Households here earn about 32% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 36.0
US median: 37.2
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
27,865
−9%since 2000
from 30,496 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,778 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 1,946 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
36.0
+2%since 2000
from 35.4 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
25K27K29K31K34K1990201020202024Alton
202425K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,073
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,213 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,638
+17%since 2000
from $16,817 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
17.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 17.0% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
21.6%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 18.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.430
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade13%
US avg: 10.9%
Information10.2%
US avg: 11.5%
Finance & insurance8.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical6.3%
US avg: 4.2%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade3.7%
US avg: 7.2%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services2%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$84,500
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $55,400 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$694
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $430 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
39.7%
−25.7 ptssince 2000
from 65.4% in 2000
40.1% rent
Vacancy rate
13.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
22.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 22.9% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
49.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.2
+25%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Alton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic71.6%(21,825)
Black24.6%(7,504)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(454)
Asian0.4%(112)
Other0%
Diversity Score50.5%(15,392)
2010
White, non-Hispanic67.4%(18,785)
Black26.5%(7,375)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(536)
Asian0.5%(138)
Other3.2%(886)
Diversity Score58.6%(16,320)
Diversity Score
59
+16%since 2000
from 50 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.6%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 16.1% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
87.8%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 81.2% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
6.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.5 min
+36%since 2000
from 16.5 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
83.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 84.8% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
9.0%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
9.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
13.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
29.8%
−33.0 ptssince 2009
from 62.9% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.3%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
51.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
1.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.5%
−33.8 ptssince 2009
from 45.3% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Alton to nearby cities

ALTON VS
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Income$62,703+65%
Home value$108,100+28%
Population10,224−59%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ALTON VS
Godfrey
Income$94,543+148%
Home value$192,200+127%
Population17,620−30%
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ALTON VS
Bethalto
Income$64,775+70%
Home value$168,900+100%
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ALTON VS
Spanish Lake
Income$55,920+47%
Home value$135,600+60%
Population17,873−29%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Alton, Illinois?

Alton, Illinois has about 27,865 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Alton, Illinois?

The typical household in Alton, Illinois earns about $38,073 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Alton, Illinois expensive?

In Alton, Illinois, the median home is worth about $84,500, and the typical rent is about $694 a month.

How educated are people in Alton, Illinois?

About 18.6% of adults age 25 and over in Alton, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Alton, Illinois?

About 21.6% of people in Alton, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Alton, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Alton, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 5,040 residents, a change of about -15 percent over that period.

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

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