Alton, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alton, Missouri had a total population of 744, the 432nd largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $50,208, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
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 | 647 | 744 | +15.0% |
| Median household income | $47,606 | $50,208 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $117,100 | $114,200 | -2.5% |
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: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alton Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Oregon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thayer | 2,333 | $37,417 | 34.3% | $67,500 |
| Koshkonong | 198 | $28,182 | 35.0% | $62,900 |
| Thomasville | 8 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | 742 | $49,444 | $154,800 | 16.8% | 23.1% |
| Hawk Point | 736 | $51,667 | $145,500 | 12.7% | 33.8% |
| Horine | 781 | N/A | $213,400 | 0.0% | 18.9% |
| Jamesport | 709 | $49,583 | $83,800 | 4.9% | 10.2% |
| Ferrelview | 752 | $45,938 | $43,000 | 11.2% | 18.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 744, Alton's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Alton is a small community located in Missouri, within Oregon County. The total population is 744. It ranks as the 432nd most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alton is 36.5 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alton is $50,208. This is 29% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.5%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 66% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $114,200. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Alton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Alton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.2% of the population. Asian residents account for 3.8%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.8% vs 2.1%).
Education
19.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alton, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. 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 Alton, Missouri?
Alton, Missouri has a population of 744 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alton, MO?
The median household income in Alton is $50,208, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alton, MO?
The poverty rate in Alton is 16.5%. This means approximately 113 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alton, Missouri?
Alton's population is 83.2% White, 0.9% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alton, MO?
The median home value in Alton is $114,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Alton, Missouri?
19.3% of adults (25+) in Alton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.