City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Alton, TX

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.

19,205
Residents
$48,777
Median income
$126,600
Median home
$1,060
Median rent (state)

Alton - the verdict

Alton ranks in the 18th percentile for household income and the 34th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

18th
percentile, household income
20th
percentile, home value
25th
percentile, median rent
34th
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, TX

19,205 people live in Alton, Texas - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Alton households earn a median of $48,777 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 26.6%. Home values in Alton run a median of $126,600, and the median resident age is 26.7 years. 12.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 56.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 513 residential building permits were authorized in Alton (Building Boom), up 140% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1924.1 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Texas scores 97.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,060 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Texas's average monthly utility costs around $223 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 99.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

19,205 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$48,777 /yr

Poverty 26.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Alton compare to other US cities?

Alton measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 18% higher than other cities
Home value 20% pricier than other cities
Median rent 25% pricier than other cities
Safety 34% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Texas and the picture shifts: Alton ranks #438 of 624 Texas cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

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 Texas, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

18thIncome percentile
34thSafety percentile

18th percentile nationally for median household income · 34th 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 43 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+)

$126,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 80% 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%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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, TX Alton, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Alton, TX-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, TX median $48,777/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, TX'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, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 12.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 26.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.2%

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

Population
19,205
Median Income
$48,777
Median Home Value
$126,600
Median Age
26.7
Poverty Rate
26.6%
Labor force participation
56.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
12.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1924.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
835.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1088.5
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
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
16,000 residents18,000 residents20,000 residents22,000 residents24,000 residents26,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 18,357 residents 24,138 residents ▲ +31.5%
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)
513
housing units authorized
Single-Family
157
detached homes
Multifamily
356
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
26.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 214
2020 199
2021 307
2022 501
2023 581
2024 513

Permit volume increased 140% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
78.4%
Carpool
9.2%
Public Transit
0.9%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
9.2%
Other
0.9%

Based on 7,013 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$45
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$223
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Texas 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 Texas 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
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,060/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Orange
19,178 people
Cinco Ranch
19,139 people
Lakeway
19,130 people
Terrell
19,019 people
Crowley
19,007 people
Seagoville
18,968 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Alton's 19,205 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Harrisburg, NC
19,203 people
Durant, OK
19,209 people
Lake Forest, IL
19,190 people
Lumberton, NC
19,220 people
Melville, NY
19,187 people
Deerfield, IL
19,185 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Alton's $48,777 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Cedar Bluff, AL
$48,784 median income
Bessemer City, NC
$48,784 median income
High Point, FL
$48,768 median income
Brewton, AL
$48,766 median income
Paris, AR
$48,789 median income
Geneva, AL
$48,798 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Alton, TX 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, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 25.0% 7.2% 67.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 98.7% White 25.0% Black or African American 0.2% Asian 0.1% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 7.2% Two or more races 67.3% 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 Texas 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) 19,205 $48,777
Orange 19,178 $60,183
Cinco Ranch 19,139 $157,395
Lakeway 19,130 $164,978
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Alton, TX?

What is the population of Alton, TX? +

19,205 people live in Alton, TX according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Alton runs $48,777, 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 Texas state average, a cost of living index of 97.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Texas vary by metro area.

Is Alton, TX safe? +

Alton has a total crime rate of 1924.1 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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, TX? +

The median home value in Alton is $126,600, 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.