Alton, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alton, Illinois had a total population of 25,279, the 87th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $54,568, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Alton Quick Facts
How Alton 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 | 25,430 | 25,279 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $53,005 | $54,568 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $99,500 | $103,700 | +4.2% |
How Alton 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alton Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite City | 26,549 | $59,205 | 14.8% | $104,300 |
| Edwardsville | 26,474 | $86,721 | 11.6% | $299,800 |
| Collinsville | 24,031 | $67,612 | 12.0% | $163,600 |
| Godfrey | 17,712 | $94,543 | 6.4% | $192,200 |
| Glen Carbon | 13,977 | $97,168 | 4.9% | $282,000 |
| Troy | 11,647 | $112,434 | 2.0% | $268,000 |
| Wood River | 10,279 | $62,703 | 13.9% | $108,100 |
| Highland | 10,262 | $82,551 | 6.0% | $202,900 |
| Bethalto | 9,239 | $64,775 | 12.3% | $168,900 |
| Maryville | 8,316 | $100,670 | 2.7% | $261,800 |
Cities Similar to Alton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Heights | 26,736 | $54,798 | $161,000 | 20.8% | 26.9% |
| Granite City | 26,549 | $59,205 | $104,300 | 15.6% | 14.8% |
| Freeport | 23,505 | $51,723 | $92,100 | 19.1% | 19.6% |
| Zion | 24,600 | $63,104 | $183,800 | 15.1% | 16.0% |
| Belvidere | 24,752 | $64,528 | $158,900 | 12.8% | 14.6% |
Population Overview
Alton is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Madison County. The total population is 25,279. It ranks as the 87th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alton is 38.0 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alton is $54,568. This is 35% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.0%. This is 78% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 5.3%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $103,700. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Alton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Alton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 19.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
21.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alton, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Illinois city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Alton, Illinois?
Alton, Illinois has a population of 25,279 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alton, IL?
The median household income in Alton is $54,568, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alton, IL?
The poverty rate in Alton is 21.0%. This means approximately 5,203 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alton, Illinois?
Alton's population is 68.7% White, 19.1% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alton, IL?
The median home value in Alton is $103,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Alton, Illinois?
21.5% of adults (25+) in Alton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.