Alton, IA

Iowa

Alton is a small town in Iowa with a population of 1,350. Residents earn $86,136 per year, which is 15% above the national average.

4.2 /5.0
A Great
1,350 Population 707/sq mi density
$86,136 Median Income $46,986 per capita
$204,600 Home Value $293,821 Zillow
$750 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.2 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$86,136 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$204,600 home value, $750/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
21.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $86,136
15% higher than US avg
Home Value $204,600
27% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.9%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $750
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.4%
4% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.8%
77% lower than US avg

How Alton Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,350
Median Age32.7 yrs
Density707/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

A+
Median Income$86,136
Per Capita$46,986
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty2.8%
County GDP$1,997M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$204,600
Rent$750
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$293,821

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.4%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain30.0 in/yr
Elevation1,314 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.9%
High School+97.1%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute15 min
Libraries5

Is Alton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Alton receives an overall livability score of 4.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Alton stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Alton is $86,136, 15% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. Only 2.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Alton is $204,600, 27% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $750 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Alton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 30.0 inches, including 30.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Alton has a population of 1,350 with a density of 707 people per square mile. The median age is 32.7 years, 16% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.1%), with 2.7% Black.

Population

1,350
Total Population
707
People / sq mi
32.7yrs
Median Age
16% below US avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.3%
Female 48.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Alton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.5%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.5%
44% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Alton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Alton is $86,136, which is 15% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Alton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$86,136
15% above US avg
Per Capita Income$46,986
Avg Weekly Wage$1,145
IRS Avg AGI$88,592

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.8%
77% below US avg
Establishments (County)878
County GDP$1,997M

Business (County)

Restaurants50
Healthcare52
Retail88
Manufacturing36

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,722
35% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.31%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.3 min
Work from Home4.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Alton is $204,600, 27% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $750 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $293,821.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$204,600
27% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$293,821

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$750
36% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,722
35% above US avg
Effective Rate2.31%
In Alton, 33.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.4% report depression. 20.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Alton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.4%
4% above US avg
Diabetes8.1%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure29.5%
Asthma9.5%
COPD4.8%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.1%
Physical Inactivity20.7%
Depression20.4%
Mental Distress15.9%
Physical Distress10.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.1%
Checkup Rate75.6%
Premature Death6,447/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.3/10
Exercise Access75.9%
Healthcare Facilities52

Crime Rates: Alton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Alton has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.9°F
13% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall30.0 inches
21% below US avg
Snowfall30.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,314 ft (401 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density707/sq mi
Coordinates42.9877°N, 96.0094°W
County FIPS19149
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.5%
D 22.3%

Winner: Republican by 54.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.9%
35% below US avg
High School+97.1%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density707/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities52
Restaurants50
Retail Stores88

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.3 min
Work from Home4.5%

Nearby Cities

Compare Alton with another city: