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Alton, TX
City in Hidalgo County, Texas. ZIP codes: 78573.
Population
20,214
Land area
7.6sq mi
People per sq mi
2,661
ZIP codes
1
Alton and its ZIP codes
Alton at a glance
- Alton is about 23 times as dense as Texas as a whole.
- It is the 159th most populous of 1,795 cities and towns in Texas.
- Households here earn a median of $52,715 a year, 33% less than the Texas figure of $78,476.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $156,300 (45% below Texas) and median rent is $1,038 a month.
Local data for Alton, TX
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Alton, TX, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$52,715
Poverty rate
27.5%
Median home value
$156,300
Median rent
$1,038/mo
Homeownership
55.0%
Bachelor's or higher
14.2%
Median age
26.1
Average commute
24.4 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (19,059), Honduran Americans (131), Cuban Americans (114).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Hidalgo County. PPP loans are for Alton.
Unemployment rate
5.6%
Sep 2026, -0.8 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$43,955
296,499 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$35,290
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$4.6B
FY 2026, $5,268 per person
How people get to work
Alton, TX, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone75.7%
- Carpooled9.6%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked1.2%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other2.0%
- Worked from home11.5%
Average one-way commute: 24.4 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Alton, TX, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
Top: cold wave
Storm events since 1996
970
Countywide, mostly drought
Flood insurance policies
9,038
3.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
95° / 47°F
20.2 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Alton, TX, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
45.8%
U.S. 33.3% +12.5 pts
Diabetes
17.1%
U.S. 12.1% +5.0 pts
Smoking
14.5%
U.S. 12.8% +1.7 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
41.5%
U.S. 11.1% +30.4 pts
ZIP codes in Alton
1 in or overlapping Alton. Population shown
Cities near Alton
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| PalmhurstCity | 2.4 mi | 4.4 |
| West SharylandCensus-designated place | 2.9 mi | 1.2 |
| La HomaCensus-designated place | 3.8 mi | 6.3 |
| McAllenCity | 4.6 mi | 62.4 |
| DoffingCensus-designated place | 5.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Citrus CityCensus-designated place | 6.1 mi | 2.1 |
| MissionCity | 6.6 mi | 36.3 |
| PalmviewCity | 6.7 mi | 7.6 |
| PerezvilleCensus-designated place | 7.2 mi | 0.8 |
| Palmview SouthCensus-designated place | 7.8 mi | 0.8 |
| PenitasCity | 8.8 mi | 9.4 |
| AbramCensus-designated place | 9 mi | 3.1 |
| Salida del Sol EstatesCensus-designated place | 9.4 mi | 2.4 |
| LopezvilleCensus-designated place | 9.7 mi | 0.8 |
| EdinburgCity | 10 mi | 46.6 |
| GranjenoCity | 11 mi | 0.3 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Alton, TX in?
- Alton is in Hidalgo County, Texas.
- What ZIP codes are in Alton, TX?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Alton include 78573.
- What is the population of Alton, TX?
- About 20,214 people live in Alton, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Alton?
- Nearby places include Palmhurst (2.4 mi), West Sharyland (2.9 mi), La Homa (3.8 mi), McAllen (4.6 mi), Doffing (5.4 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023