Alton, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alton, Iowa had a total population of 1,459, the 219th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $98,036, which is 31% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.6% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
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 | 1,350 | 1,459 | +8.1% |
| Median household income | $86,136 | $98,036 | +13.8% |
| Median home value | $204,600 | $218,900 | +7.0% |
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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alton Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Sioux County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Center | 8,454 | $92,983 | 2.2% | $290,800 |
| Orange City | 6,426 | $82,122 | 11.2% | $264,000 |
| Sheldon | 5,474 | $62,159 | 15.3% | $192,700 |
| Rock Valley | 4,059 | $76,250 | 9.3% | $231,200 |
| Hawarden | 2,658 | $74,167 | 7.2% | $136,300 |
| Hull | 2,317 | $72,344 | 5.5% | $225,700 |
| Hospers | 916 | $69,444 | 17.4% | $155,300 |
| Boyden | 757 | $88,125 | 10.4% | $177,700 |
| Ireton | 552 | $71,250 | 18.7% | $156,600 |
| Granville | 265 | $68,750 | 7.2% | $162,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slater | 1,401 | $97,500 | $232,800 | 36.5% | 3.8% |
| Palo | 1,438 | $106,375 | $282,400 | 27.2% | 5.5% |
| Dike | 1,365 | $91,146 | $247,800 | 42.5% | 5.4% |
| State Center | 1,412 | $83,942 | $167,400 | 33.5% | 4.9% |
| University Heights | 1,384 | $111,406 | $429,900 | 87.1% | 14.4% |
Population Overview
Alton is a small community located in Iowa, within Sioux County. The total population is 1,459. It ranks as the 219th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alton is 38.1 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alton is $98,036. This is 31% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 21% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.6%. This is 77% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $218,900. Housing costs are 5% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Alton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 87.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Alton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.0%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
24.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alton, Iowa 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 Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. 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 Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Alton, Iowa?
Alton, Iowa has a population of 1,459 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alton, IA?
The median household income in Alton is $98,036, which is 21% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alton, IA?
The poverty rate in Alton is 2.6%. This means approximately 38 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alton, Iowa?
Alton's population is 86.9% White, 2.2% Black, 6.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alton, IA?
The median home value in Alton is $218,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Alton, Iowa?
24.3% of adults (25+) in Alton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.