City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Alton, IL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Alton - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

25,430
Residents
$53,005
Median income
$99,500
Median home
$1,218
Median rent (state)

Alton - the verdict

Alton ranks in the 24th percentile for household income and the 10th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

24th
percentile, household income
9th
percentile, home value
38th
percentile, median rent
10th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Alton, IL

Illinois's Alton is a small city, with 25,430 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $53,005 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.7%. Home values in Alton run a median of $99,500, and the median resident age is 38.4 years. Educational attainment runs 21.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 57.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 40 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 3900% from five years earlier. Alton's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3631.8 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Illinois at 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,218 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $240 across Illinois, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Alton workers runs 21.7 minutes, with 76.1% driving alone and 8.4% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 93.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

25,430 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$53,005 /yr

Poverty 17.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Alton compare to other US cities?

Where Alton sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 24% higher than other cities
Home value 9% pricier than other cities
Median rent 38% pricier than other cities
Safety 10% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Illinois alone, Alton ranks #437 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Alton's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Illinois, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

24thIncome percentile
10thSafety percentile

24th percentile nationally for median household income · 10th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Alton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Alton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 37 Avg. percentile National median
Alton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Alton's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$99,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 91% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Alton $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Alton, IL Alton, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Alton, IL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Alton, IL median $53,005/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Alton, IL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Alton, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
25,430
Median Income
$53,005
Median Home Value
$99,500
Median Age
38.4
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Labor force participation
57.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3631.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
963.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2668.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
24,800 residents25,000 residents25,200 residents25,400 residents25,600 residents25,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 25,640 residents 25,013 residents ▼ -2.4%
Alton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
40
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
40
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 40

Permit volume increased 3900% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
21.7 minutes
Drive Alone
76.1%
Carpool
9.9%
Public Transit
1.6%
Walk
2.2%
Work from Home
8.4%
Other
1.8%

Based on 11,341 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Illinois - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$240
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Illinois state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Illinois state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Alton sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,218/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

West Chicago
25,434 people
Morton Grove
24,687 people
Lockport
26,228 people
Woodstock
26,316 people
Homer Glen
24,516 people
Melrose Park
24,513 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Alton's 25,430 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Northdale, FL
25,420 people
Reedley, CA
25,446 people
Reading, MA
25,448 people
Avon Lake, OH
25,456 people
Bailey's Crossroads, VA
25,458 people
West Whittier-Los Nietos, CA
25,459 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Alton's $53,005 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Dana, IN
$53,005 median income
Monteagle, TN
$53,005 median income
Schoharie, NY
$53,008 median income
Jenera, OH
$53,009 median income
Arlee, MT
$53,000 median income
Pawlet, VT
$53,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Alton, IL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Alton, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 66.7% 24.2% 6.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.7% White 66.7% Black or African American 24.2% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.1% Two or more races 6.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Alton compares to nearby Illinois cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Alton (this city) 25,430 $53,005
West Chicago 25,434 $100,568
Morton Grove 24,687 $106,078
Lockport 26,228 $113,252
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Alton, IL?

What is the population of Alton, IL? +

Alton, IL has a population of 25,430 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Alton, IL? +

In Alton, the typical household earns $53,005 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Alton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Alton; the closest available measure is the Illinois state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Illinois vary by metro area.

Is Alton, IL safe? +

Alton has a total crime rate of 3631.8 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Alton, IL? +

Alton's median home value sits at $99,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.