Located in the state of Illinois, Alton is a mid-sized city with a population of 27,175 residents. According to the most recent Census, 69% of Alton residents are White, 27% Black and 0% Asian. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Alton. With average one way commute time of only 23 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Alton, Illinois could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. The best areas in Alton and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, cost of living, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Illinois and national averages.
With a livability score of 58/100, Alton is ranked #25,111 in the United States and #1,109 in Illinois. Compared to the United States average, this area has a score which ranks among the lowest in the nation, and it is not considered a very livable city. There are seven total categories that create the livability score. Alton scores well for amenities (A+) and cost of living (B+). On a less positive note, Alton does not have favorable scores for the following: crime (F), education (F), employment (F) and housing (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Conveniently located amenities and interesting attractions are a great way to continuously enjoy Alton on a regular basis. Knowing that there are an abundance of amenities and things to do can ensure that you always have access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants and coffee shops. Some of the notable things to do include: Argosy Casino, Beall Mansion Tour, and Historic Museum of Torture Devices.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife and proximity to public transportation are all important factors to search for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Alton is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Alton come in at $79,600, which is 54.5% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Alton, the home price to income ratio is 2.2, which is 26.7% lower than the Illinois average. Year over year appreciation rates for homes in the Alton area were 7.1% and the 5 year appreciation rates came in at 1.1%. Why is this important? Knowing the appreciation rates for any area is a quick and easy way to determine if you will see a solid return on your investment.
| Statistic | Alton | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 23min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 84.1% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.0% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.1% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.8% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.0% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
| Walk | Bike | Compact | Car | S.U.V. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | |||||
| Duration | |||||
| Cost/Month |
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