Alton, IL Demographics

A map of Alton's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	17,377	16,210	68.7%	63.1%
Black	4,842	6,849	19.2%	26.7%
Multiracial	1,690	1,524	6.7%	5.9%
Hispanic	760	677	3.0%	2.6%
Asian	364	170	1.4%	0.7%
Native American/Other	246	246	1.0%	1.0%

Alton, Illinois has an estimated population of 25,279, a slight decrease from the 25,676 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 68.7% White, 19.2% Black, 6.7% Multiracial, 3.0% Hispanic, 1.4% Asian, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Alton, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Alton has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Illinois overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Alton, that probability was 52.6% in 2020 and 48.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Alton is ranked the 87th most populous place in Illinois, out of 1,461 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Alton was ranked the 85th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Alton's White Population

17,377 residents of Alton, or 68.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Alton is considerably higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Alton ranks 1288th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Alton's White population has grown by an estimated 7.2%. White residents' share of Alton's population has increased from 63.1% to 68.7%.

Alton is less White than neighboring East Alton (88.5% White), West Alton (96.1% White), Rosewood Heights (95% White), Godfrey (88% White), and Wood River (86.6% White).

Alton's Black Population

4,842 residents of Alton, or 19.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Alton is higher than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Alton ranks 68th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Alton's Black population has declined by an estimated 29.3%. Black residents' share of Alton's population has decreased from 26.7% to 19.2%.

Alton is more Black than neighboring East Alton (0.8% Black), West Alton (2.8% Black), Rosewood Heights (0% Black), Godfrey (4.8% Black), and Wood River (5.1% Black).

Alton's Asian Population

364 residents of Alton, or 1.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Alton is slightly lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Alton ranks 523rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Alton's Asian population has grown by an estimated 114.1%. Asian residents' share of Alton's population has increased from 0.7% to 1.4%.

Alton is more Asian than neighboring East Alton (0% Asian), West Alton (0% Asian), Rosewood Heights (0% Asian), Godfrey (0.6% Asian), and Wood River (0% Asian).

Alton's Hispanic Population

760 residents of Alton, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Alton is significantly lower than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Alton ranks 809th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Alton's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 12.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Alton's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.0%.

Alton is more Hispanic than neighboring West Alton (0% Hispanic), Rosewood Heights (1.6% Hispanic), and Godfrey (1.7% Hispanic). Alton is less Hispanic than neighboring East Alton (3.8% Hispanic), and Wood River (4% Hispanic).

Alton's Native American/Other Population

246 residents of Alton, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Alton is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Alton ranks 143rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Alton's Native American/Other population has remained roughly the same. Native American/Other residents' share of Alton's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Alton is more Native American/Other than neighboring East Alton (0% Native American/Other), West Alton (0% Native American/Other), Rosewood Heights (0% Native American/Other), Godfrey (0% Native American/Other), and Wood River (0.5% Native American/Other).

Alton's Multiracial Population

1,690 residents of Alton, or 6.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Alton is slightly higher than in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Alton ranks 135th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Alton's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 10.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Alton's population has increased from 5.9% to 6.7%.

Alton is more Multiracial than neighboring West Alton (1.1% Multiracial), Rosewood Heights (3.4% Multiracial), Godfrey (4.9% Multiracial), and Wood River (3.8% Multiracial). Alton is less Multiracial than neighboring East Alton (7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.