Alto, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alto, Texas had a total population of 1,222, the 936th largest town in Texas, with a median household income of $61,688, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.4%.
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
Alto Quick Facts
How Alto Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,200 | 1,222 | No clear change (+1.8%) |
| Median household income | $37,361 | $61,688 | No clear change (+65.1%) |
| Median home value¹ | $94,888 | $93,800 | No clear change (-1.1%) |
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
- White: 56.1%
- Black: 13.1%
- Hispanic: 25.2%
- Asian: 0.2%
- Other: 0.8%
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 20.3%
- HS Diploma: 35.9%
- Some College: 19.9%
- Associate's: 7.0%
- Bachelor's: 12.2%
- Graduate+: 4.8%
Alto Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Cherokee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | 14,325 | $51,375 | 26.5% | $119,800 |
| Rusk | 5,477 | $53,438 | 8.5% | $157,400 |
| Shadybrook | 2,810 | $69,173 | 16.6% | $232,300 |
| New Summerfield | 618 | $54,716 | 8.9% | $84,300 |
| Wells | 484 | N/A | 42.1% | $140,600 |
| Gallatin | 384 | $79,432 | 8.6% | $168,100 |
| Cuney | 161 | N/A | 41.6% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harper | 1,214 | N/A | $434,600 | 26.1% | 13.3% |
| Carrizo Hill | 1,198 | N/A | $18,200 | 0.0% | 89.3% |
| Payne Springs | 1,201 | $63,145 | $233,200 | 19.4% | 12.6% |
| Beauxart Gardens | 1,276 | N/A | $171,600 | 10.0% | 3.2% |
| Rice | 1,241 | $65,958 | $79,500 | 10.6% | 16.2% |
Population Overview
Alto is a small community located in Texas, within Cherokee County. The total population is 1,222. It ranks as the 936th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alto is 28.7 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 34.7% of the population under 18, Alto has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alto is $61,688. This is 21% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.4%. This is 106% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. 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 6.4%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $93,800. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Alto is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Alto is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.2%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
17.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 33.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 79.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alto, Texas 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 Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. 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, Texas?
Alto, Texas has a population of 1,222 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alto, TX?
The median household income in Alto is $61,688, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alto, TX?
The poverty rate in Alto is 28.4%. This means approximately 340 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alto, Texas?
Alto's population is 56.1% White, 13.1% Black, 25.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alto, TX?
The median home value in Alto is $93,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Alto, Texas?
17.0% of adults (25+) in Alto hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.