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Altona, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Altona is a small town in Illinois with a population of 519. Residents earn $67,125 per year, which is 11% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
519 Population 552/sq mi density
$67,125 Median Income $37,904 per capita
$89,200 Home Value $124,048 Zillow
$944 Median Rent 18.1% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$67,125 median income, 13.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$89,200 home value, $944/mo rent
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
19.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,125
11% lower than US avg
Home Value $89,200
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.0%
44% lower than US avg
Median Rent $944
19% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.2%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 13.2%
267% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.3%
81% lower than US avg

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

People

Population519
Median Age40.4 yrs
Density552/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans6.8%

Economy

B
Median Income$67,125
Per Capita$37,904
Unemployment13.2%
Poverty2.3%
County GDP$2,048M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$89,200
Rent$944
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$124,048
Housing Units252
Rent Burden18.1%

Health

Obesity35.2%
Uninsured6.4%
Smoking13.0%
Depression23.0%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.4 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation761 ft (232 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.0%
High School+95.0%
Graduate+3.9%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 37%
Commute22 min
Broadband83.7%
Libraries9

Is Altona a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Altona receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Altona offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Altona is $67,125, 11% below the national average of $75,149. At 13.2%, unemployment is notably high. Only 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Altona is $89,200, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $944 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

19.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Altona experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 39.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Altona has a population of 519 with a density of 552 people per square mile. The median age is 40.4 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.5%).

Population

519
Total Population
552
People / sq mi
40.4yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.8%
Female 48.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Altona vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.2%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.8%
94% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Altona vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Altona is $67,125, which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 13.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Altona vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,125
11% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,904
Avg Weekly Wage$980
IRS Avg AGI$74,616

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment13.2%
267% above US avg
Poverty Rate2.3%
81% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,020
County GDP$2,048M

Business (County)

Restaurants100
Healthcare90
Retail148
Manufacturing46

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,739
64% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.43%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.3 min
Drive Alone89.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Altona is $89,200, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $944 (19% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $124,048.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$89,200
68% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$124,048

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$944
19% below US avg
Rent Burden18.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied92.6%
Housing Units252
Median Year Built1957

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,739
64% above US avg
Effective Rate6.43%
In Altona, 35.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.4% of residents lack health insurance. 13.0% are current smokers. 23.0% report depression. 19.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.2%
10% above US avg
Diabetes8.4%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure28.7%
Asthma10.2%
COPD5.6%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.0%
7% below US avg
Binge Drinking21.6%
Physical Inactivity19.7%
Depression23.0%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress11.5%
Short Sleep36.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.3%
Uninsured6.4%
26% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.7%
Dental Visits66.0%
Premature Death7,545/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access78.2%
Healthcare Facilities90
Altona has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.4 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.0°F
9% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.4 inches
4% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation761 ft (232 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density552/sq mi
Coordinates41.1151°N, 90.1648°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17073
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 19.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (44% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 24.5-point margin. 83.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.3%
D 36.8%

Winner: Republican by 24.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.0%
44% below US avg
High School+95.0%
Graduate Degree+3.9%
School Test Score5.34
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density552/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.7%
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities90
Restaurants100
Retail Stores148

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.3 min
Drive Alone89.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.8%

Nearby Cities

Galva, IL 2,543 pop · 7.6 mi Cambridge, IL 2,184 pop · 12.3 mi Kewanee, IL 12,280 pop · 15.1 mi Knoxville, IL 3,137 pop · 15.7 mi Toulon, IL 1,390 pop · 15.8 mi Galesburg, IL 29,653 pop · 15.9 mi Orion, IL 1,849 pop · 19.7 mi Wyoming, IL 1,532 pop · 20.7 mi Geneseo, IL 6,577 pop · 23.2 mi Princeville, IL 1,932 pop · 24.7 mi Abingdon, IL 3,424 pop · 24.8 mi Elmwood, IL 2,254 pop · 25.3 mi Colona, IL 5,189 pop · 26.2 mi Coal Valley, IL 4,142 pop · 26.5 mi
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