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CITY · 2020 ACS

Alton

Illinois · 25,676 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 $43,291. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 4,820 residents. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $80,400. The poverty rate of 25.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 37% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
25,676
−16%since 2000
from 30,496 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,638 / sq mi
−16%since 2000
from 1,946 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.3
+11%since 2000
from 35.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
25K27K29K31K34K1990201020202024Alton
202425K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,291
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,213 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,943
+48%since 2000
from $16,817 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.4%
+8.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
25.5%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 18.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance6.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$80,400
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $55,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$796
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $430 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
57.2%
−8.2 ptssince 2000
from 65.4% in 2000
42.8% rent
Afford Score
1.9
+5%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic63.1%(16,210)
Black26.7%(6,849)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(677)
Asian0.7%(170)
Other4.7%(1,216)
Diversity Score63.3%(16,247)
Diversity Score
63
+25%since 2000
from 50 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.8%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 16.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.6%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 81.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.4 min
+48%since 2000
from 16.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.0%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 84.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.1%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.9%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 11.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.8%
+2.1 ptssince 2011
from 59.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.4%
−34.5 ptssince 2009
from 62.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
52.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
1.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.7%
−80.9 ptssince 2013
from 87.6% 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, Illinois?

Alton, Illinois has about 25,676 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Alton, Illinois?

The typical household in Alton, Illinois earns about $43,291 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 $80,400, and the typical rent is about $796 a month.

How educated are people in Alton, Illinois?

About 19.8% 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 25.5% 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 7,229 residents, a change of about -22 percent over that period.

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

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