East Alton, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

East Alton is a small city in Illinois with a population of 5,729. Residents earn $46,926 per year, which is 38% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
5,729 Population 1,077/sq mi density
$46,926 Median Income $31,385 per capita
$99,600 Home Value $90,646 Zillow
$819 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
342 Violent Crime/100K 2,752 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$46,926 median income, 2.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$99,600 home value, $819/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
342 violent crimes/100K (10% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $46,926
38% lower than US avg
Home Value $99,600
65% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 342/100K
10% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.9%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $819
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.7%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.2%
39% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.6%
31% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,729
Median Age45.2 yrs
Density1,077/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

B+
Median Income$46,926
Per Capita$31,385
Unemployment2.2%
Poverty8.6%
County GDP$40,403M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$99,600
Rent$819
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$90,646

Crime

F
Violent342/100K
Property2,752/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault81/100K
Burglary603/100K

Health

Obesity40.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.6%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain41.9 in/yr
Elevation441 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.9%
High School+87.6%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 17% / D 81%
Commute23 min
EV Stations1
Libraries16

Is East Alton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, East Alton receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. East Alton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in East Alton is $46,926, 38% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. 8.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in East Alton is $99,600, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $819 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in East Alton is below the national average at 342 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,752 per 100,000, 40% above the national average.

Education

15.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

East Alton enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

East Alton has a population of 5,729 with a density of 1,077 people per square mile. The median age is 45.2 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.2%), with 1.6% Black.

Population

5,729
Total Population
1,077
People / sq mi
45.2yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
5.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.4%
Female 48.6%

Race & Ethnicity

East Alton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.6%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.4%
97% below US avg

Social Characteristics

East Alton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in East Alton is $46,926, which is 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: East Alton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$46,926
38% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,385
Avg Weekly Wage$1,519
IRS Avg AGI$63,224

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.2%
39% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.6%
31% below US avg
Establishments (County)15,318
County GDP$40,403M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,029
Healthcare2,212
Retail810
Manufacturing366

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,881
39% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.90%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.5 min
Work from Home10.1%

Walkability

The median home value in East Alton is $99,600, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $819 (30% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $90,646.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$99,600
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$90,646
Median List Price$109,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$109,950
$/Sq Ft$91
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio95.2%
Price Drops10.0%
Inventory10

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$819
30% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,881
39% above US avg
Effective Rate4.90%
In East Alton, 40.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.6% report depression. 25.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.7%
27% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure33.3%
Asthma11.3%
COPD8.0%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.8%
Physical Inactivity25.0%
Depression24.6%
Mental Distress20.4%
Physical Distress14.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.4%
Checkup Rate74.9%
Premature Death15,768/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access98.2%
Healthcare Facilities2,212
East Alton has a violent crime rate of 342 per 100,000 residents, 10% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,752 per 100,000 (40% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent342.0/100K
10% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape97.7/100K
Robbery162.8/100K
Assault81.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,752.0/100K
40% above US avg
Burglary602.5/100K
Theft2,068.1/100K
Vehicle Theft81.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)71

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
East Alton has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average55.7°F
3% above US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.9 inches
10% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation441 ft (134 m)
Area5.3 sq mi (13.8 km²)
Population Density1,077/sq mi
Coordinates38.8841°N, 90.1079°W
County FIPS29510
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 15.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 64.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 16.7%
D 81.4%

Winner: Democrat by 64.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.9%
53% below US avg
High School+87.6%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,077/sq mi
Total Area5.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries16
Healthcare Facilities2,212
Restaurants1,029
Retail Stores810

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)71
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.5 min
Work from Home10.1%

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