Alto, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alto, California had a total population of 1,024, the 1058th largest community in California, with a median household income of $129,191, which is 30% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 67.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
Alto Quick Facts
How Alto Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 866 | 1,024 | +18.2% |
How Alto Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alto Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Marin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Rafael | 60,433 | $119,435 | 11.7% | $1,355,600 |
| Novato | 52,546 | $115,736 | 9.6% | $1,032,500 |
| Mill Valley | 14,012 | $206,212 | 5.9% | $2,000,000+ |
| Larkspur | 12,854 | $140,417 | 7.0% | $1,996,600 |
| San Anselmo | 12,679 | $173,641 | 7.4% | $1,576,700 |
| Tamalpais-Homestead Valley | 12,085 | $243,227 | 3.3% | $1,863,900 |
| Corte Madera | 10,077 | $232,763 | 4.6% | $1,755,200 |
| Tiburon | 9,012 | $232,969 | 1.9% | $2,000,000+ |
| Fairfax | 7,516 | $141,653 | 12.1% | $1,163,600 |
| Sausalito | 7,141 | $182,357 | 8.0% | $1,894,600 |
Cities Similar to Alto
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Olivos | 1,038 | $143,229 | $1,522,700 | 63.9% | 3.0% |
| South Dos Palos | 1,102 | N/A | $324,500 | 6.3% | 47.5% |
| Squirrel Mountain Valley | 1,108 | N/A | $375,600 | 9.2% | 2.1% |
| Niland | 1,116 | N/A | $226,200 | 14.4% | 14.8% |
| Fort Hunter Liggett | 1,119 | N/A | N/A | 32.2% | N/A |
Population Overview
Alto is a small community located in California, within Marin County. The total population is 1,024. It ranks as the 1058th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alto is 42.3 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alto is $129,191. This is 30% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 60% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.0%. This is 116% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. 47.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Alto is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.6% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (12.3%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (5.7%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
67.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Alto in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 81% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 37.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alto, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Alto, California?
Alto, California has a population of 1,024 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alto, CA?
The median household income in Alto is $129,191, which is 60% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alto, CA?
The poverty rate in Alto is 26.0%. This means approximately 266 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alto, California?
Alto's population is 80.6% White, 1.5% Black, 12.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alto, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Alto — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Alto, California?
67.1% of adults (25+) in Alto hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 37.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.