Population 209 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Alton
Household size in Alton
| Period | Alton | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.57 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.40 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.75 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.85 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.28 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Alton holds 2.85 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.57 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, survey estimates can swing a lot from one release to the next.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Alton
| Period | Alton | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.1 | 41.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 55.3 | 42.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.4 | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.6 | 43.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | −9.5 | +1.9 | +2.3 |
At 38.6, the median age in Alton is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The population here is younger than in West Virginia overall, where the median age is 43.2.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Alton
| Period | Alton | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.3% | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 25.6% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.4% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Alton: 4.4% of households, against 11.6% nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Alton
Renters in Alton
| Period | Alton | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.8% | 25.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 27.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 9.6% | 26.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 12.1% | 25.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +8.2 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 12.1% of households in Alton rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Nearly half of owners (47.1%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Alton
| Period | Alton | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.8% | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 42.6% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 33.0% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 28.4% | 14.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 28.4% of the housing in Alton, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Alton
| Period | Alton | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Alton are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1986, versus 1980 across the U.S.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Alton
| Period | Alton | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $515 | $578 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $538 | $657 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $809 | $759 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $852 | $905 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$336 | +$327 | +$606 |
Rent in Alton runs $852 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 16.2% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Alton
Bachelor's degrees in Alton
| Period | Alton | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.8% | 18.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.5% | 19.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.0% | 21.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.1% | 25.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Alton: 13.1% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Alton
| Period | Alton | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 69.5% | 82.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 78.8% | 84.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 79.4% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 82.4% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +13.0 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in six adults in Alton never finished high school, well above the national share: only 82.4% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Alton
| Period | Alton | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 1.1% | 8.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Alton is close to the national rate: 4.8% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Alton compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alton | 2.85 | 38.6 | 4.4% | 12.1% | 28.4% | 1986 | $852 | 13.1% | 82.4% | 4.8% |
| Hemlock | 2.79 | 36.0 | 9.9% | 11.4% | 33.8% | 1980 | $647 | 11.6% | 78.2% | 2.4% |
| Adrian | 2.87 | 39.9 | 1.9% | 12.4% | 25.3% | 1989 | $962 | 14.2% | 84.8% | 6.4% |
| Tallmansville | 2.55 | 44.2 | 6.1% | 11.5% | 28.5% | 1986 | $727 | 12.5% | 84.4% | 3.5% |
| Tenmile | 2.82 | 37.4 | 7.0% | 11.7% | 31.0% | 1983 | $754 | 12.4% | 80.4% | 3.7% |
| French Creek | 2.79 | 40.6 | 6.8% | 12.1% | 24.9% | 1986 | $942 | 13.9% | 85.0% | 7.4% |
| Zion | 2.84 | 40.7 | 1.6% | 12.4% | 25.5% | 1989 | $959 | 13.8% | 84.7% | 5.9% |
| Carter | 2.69 | 44.3 | 13.0% | 12.0% | 24.4% | 1980 | $967 | 11.5% | 86.8% | 8.4% |
| Queens | 2.79 | 36.1 | 9.9% | 11.5% | 33.8% | 1980 | $648 | 11.6% | 78.2% | 2.5% |
| Cubana | 2.72 | 39.0 | 10.9% | 17.3% | 37.7% | 1981 | $694 | 12.7% | 80.0% | 4.5% |
| Selbyville | 2.48 | 44.5 | 8.4% | 15.4% | 32.7% | 1981 | $762 | 12.2% | 81.5% | 3.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Port Hueneme Cbc Base, CA · Wailua, HI · Hanna, UT · Hanksville, UT · Copper Harbor, MI · Kohatk, AZ · Elk River, ID · Eagle Bay, NY · Eden, WY · Eliza, LA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Alton. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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