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CITY · 2020 ACS

Alton

Texas · 18,198 residents · 7.51 sq mi
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The short version

Alton is home to 18,198 people in Texas. Since 2000 the city has more than tripled, up 13,814 people. The median age is 28.0, younger than the US median of 38.8. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, below the 33% national rate. 29.9% of people here live below the federal poverty line. 32% of people here were born outside the United States.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 28.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

18,198
+315%since 2000
from 4,384 in 2000
1990 – 2025
28.0
+12%since 2000
from 25.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Land area
7.51 sq mi
Population, 19902024
1K6K12K17K22K19902000201020202024Alton
202420K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2020
Under 58.4%(1,527)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 99%(1,629)
US avg: 6.1%
10 to 149.9%(1,808)
US avg: 6.5%
15 to 1910.1%(1,837)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 248%(1,463)
US avg: 6.7%
25 to 3414.8%(2,692)
US avg: 13.5%
35 to 4412.1%(2,196)
US avg: 12.7%
45 to 5411%(2,004)
US avg: 12.3%
55 to 647.9%(1,446)
US avg: 13.1%
65 to 745.8%(1,053)
US avg: 10%
75 to 842.3%(418)
US avg: 4.9%
85 and over0.7%(125)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

$37,846
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,097 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
$13,369
+115%since 2000
from $6,230 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
17.0%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
29.9%
−12.8 ptssince 2000
from 42.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Wholesale trade17.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Information10.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade4.9%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing1.9%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction1.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

$81,600
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $43,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
$790
+99%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $264 in 2000
US average: $1,124
62.6%
−18.9 ptssince 2000
from 81.5% in 2000
37.4% rent
3.87 people
+8%since 2009
from 3.60 people in 2009
US average: 2.61
2.2
−10%since 2009
from 2.4 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic1.9%(83)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino97.9%(4,292)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic2.4%(439)
Black0.3%(47)
Hispanic / Latino97%(17,646)
Asian0.1%(22)
Other0.1%(19)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Mexican96.1%(17,002)
Venezuelan0.4%(70)
Puerto Rican0.3%(55)
Honduran0.3%(51)
Ancestry
Irish1.3%(230)
Norwegian0.3%(59)
Welsh0.2%(43)
British0%(8)
Section 05

Education

11.0%
+8.6 ptssince 2000
from 2.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
57.6%
+21.9 ptssince 2000
from 35.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
2.3%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 0.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

25.6 min
+60%since 2000
from 15.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
73.0%
+7.0 ptssince 2009
from 66.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
5.8%
−9.6 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

13.7%
+7.7 ptssince 2011
from 6.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
63.8%
+5.3 ptssince 2011
from 58.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Women 20-64 in the labor force
67.7%
US average: 73.3%
21.8%
+7.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

49.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
50.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
31.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 34.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
40.5%
−4.8 ptssince 2013
from 45.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Computer in household
89.3%
US average: 91.9%
87.9%
US average: 86.2%
Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married45.2%(3,342)
Married44.9%(3,318)
Widowed2.4%(181)
Divorced7.5%(554)
Women 15+
Never married37.1%(2,612)
Married49.3%(3,471)
Widowed3.6%(252)
Divorced10%(707)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Section 09

Health coverage

40.5%
−4.8 ptssince 2013
from 45.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
18.4%
US average: 55.4%
Direct-purchase
5.5%
US average: 13.7%
10.0%
US average: 17.6%
34.5%
US average: 20.0%
VA health care
0.5%
US average: 2.3%
Any private
23.3%
US average: 68.1%
Any public
38.1%
US average: 35.2%

Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.

Section 09 · Service history

Veterans

Veterans by period of service, 2020
Gulf War (2001 or later)32.1%(44)
US avg: 20.6%
Gulf War (1990s)75.2%(103)
US avg: 21.4%
Vietnam era21.9%(30)
US avg: 35.2%
Korean War0%(0)
US avg: 7.6%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 2.9%

Share of the 137 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.

BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Alton, Texas?

Alton, Texas has about 18,198 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Alton, Texas?

The typical household in Alton, Texas earns about $37,846 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Alton, Texas expensive?

In Alton, Texas, the median home is worth about $81,600, and the typical rent is about $790 a month.

How educated are people in Alton, Texas?

About 11.0% of adults age 25 and over in Alton, Texas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Alton, Texas?

About 29.9% of people in Alton, Texas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Alton, Texas grown since 1990?

Yes, Alton, Texas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 15,150 residents, a change of about 497 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 →