East Alton, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Alton, Illinois had a total population of 5,689, the 315th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $48,815, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
East Alton Quick Facts
How East 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 | 5,729 | 5,689 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $46,926 | $48,815 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $99,600 | $106,700 | +7.1% |
How East 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
East 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 |
| Alton | 25,279 | $54,568 | 21.0% | $103,700 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to East Alton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro | 5,803 | $50,158 | $111,700 | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| Metropolis | 5,864 | $50,399 | $86,000 | 14.9% | 17.6% |
| Vandalia | 5,796 | $45,469 | $98,500 | 14.0% | 22.2% |
| Du Quoin | 5,726 | $54,409 | $83,100 | 11.7% | 29.6% |
| Pana | 5,217 | $46,168 | $77,900 | 15.8% | 13.4% |
Population Overview
East Alton is a small city located in Illinois, within Madison County. The total population is 5,689. It ranks as the 315th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Alton is 45.2 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Alton is $48,815. This is 41% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 76% 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 3.3%. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $106,700. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, East Alton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
East Alton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (88.5% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
16.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 85.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of East Alton, Illinois?
East Alton, Illinois has a population of 5,689 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Alton, IL?
The median household income in East Alton is $48,815, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Alton, IL?
The poverty rate in East Alton is 20.8%. This means approximately 1,181 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Alton, Illinois?
East Alton's population is 88.5% White, 0.8% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Alton, IL?
The median home value in East Alton is $106,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is East Alton, Illinois?
16.4% of adults (25+) in East Alton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.