Alton, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alton, Texas had a total population of 20,214, the 159th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $52,715, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
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 | 19,205 | 20,214 | +5.3% |
| Median household income | $48,777 | $52,715 | +8.1% |
| Median home value | $126,600 | $156,300 | +23.5% |
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: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alton Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Hidalgo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McAllen | 145,385 | $61,579 | 20.0% | $190,400 |
| Edinburg | 104,550 | $59,466 | 26.0% | $189,600 |
| Mission | 87,038 | $60,767 | 19.4% | $175,700 |
| Pharr | 80,333 | $52,814 | 27.6% | $121,900 |
| Weslaco | 42,229 | $59,551 | 23.2% | $140,000 |
| San Juan | 36,149 | $56,562 | 22.4% | $126,700 |
| Alamo | 20,255 | $57,096 | 25.3% | $145,100 |
| Donna | 16,833 | $40,438 | 40.7% | $86,100 |
| Mercedes | 16,733 | $46,904 | 28.6% | $111,800 |
| Palmview | 15,921 | $43,963 | 30.8% | $113,600 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo | 20,255 | $57,096 | $145,100 | 18.9% | 25.3% |
| Stephenville | 21,682 | $53,015 | $241,300 | 33.3% | 20.0% |
| Plainview | 19,711 | $44,768 | $113,000 | 15.3% | 24.0% |
| Brownwood | 18,777 | $48,981 | $144,400 | 19.0% | 20.9% |
| Terrell | 20,366 | $65,842 | $218,500 | 15.8% | 15.9% |
Population Overview
Alton is a small city located in Texas, within Hidalgo County. The total population is 20,214. It ranks as the 159th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alton is 26.1 years. This is 27% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 35.5% of the population under 18, Alton has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alton is $52,715. This is 33% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.5%. This is 100% 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 8.3%. This is 58% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $156,300. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 55.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Alton has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 96.8% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 2.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (96.8% vs 39.7%).
Education
14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 67.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alton, 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 Alton, Texas?
Alton, Texas has a population of 20,214 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alton, TX?
The median household income in Alton is $52,715, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alton, TX?
The poverty rate in Alton is 27.5%. This means approximately 5,545 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alton, Texas?
Alton's population is 2.8% White, 0.2% Black, 96.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alton, TX?
The median home value in Alton is $156,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Alton, Texas?
14.2% of adults (25+) in Alton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.