1900 · Majestic Theater · Library of Congress
Alto’s story
Alto in pictures
2 postcards, papers and photographs from public archives.
- 1900Majestic Theater
- 2004TXMap-doton-Alto
AltoTX
A town of 1,222. Healthier than 77% of U.S. towns.
Population
1,222
−16.2% since 2010
Typical home
$258K
−9.6% in a year
Household income
$62K
median
Median age
28.7
years
Jobs based here
451
Balanced
What makes Alto stand out
The thing Alto does most differently from other towns.
A shrinking town
Alto has shrunk 16.2% since 2010
1,225 people in 2010; 1,222 today.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 · ACS
Alto’s report card
Now in Alto
Be the first to start the conversation.
Residents weigh in
Live in Alto? Is a C− for health right?
Your answer becomes a post in Alto’s Town Square.
Start a conversation
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Alto. Another town gets a different order.
Health
Healthier than 23% of U.S. towns
Alto beats the Texas average on 1 of 26 CDC measures and trails it on 11.
C−Health Grade
26 measures vs. Texas
1 better14 too close to call11 worse
| What stands out | Alto | TX |
|---|---|---|
| More adults treating high blood pressure | 77.4% | 74.1% |
| More adults with COPD | 7.8% | 5.7% |
Christus Mother Frances Hospital- Jacksonville
22.4 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
36th
percentile among TX towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
Climate
Mild winters, hot summers
Alto has mild winters and hot summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 94°, a January night drops to 38°, and snow is almost unheard of.
94°summer high
Typical low → high °F
Winter40–61°
Spring55–77°
Summer72–93°
Fall56–79°
Nov 25
typical first frost
Mar 7
typical last frost
+0.8°
vs. the 20th-century average
94°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Natural hazards
Low risk, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 35% of U.S. communities.
35risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingCold wavesTornadoes
1
paid flood claims since 2002
7
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Work & commute
About one in seven working residents works right in Alto
Most working residents leave Alto for work: only 15% work in town. The top destinations are Rusk (7%), Lufkin (6%) and Nacogdoches (5%). Half commute less than 29 miles.
15%work in town
Where working residents work
In Alto15%
Rusk7%
Lufkin6%
Nacogdoches5%
Tyler4%
29 mi
median commute distance
451
jobs based in Alto
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Housing
A typical Alto home is worth about $258K
The typical Alto home is worth about $258,000, down 9.6% in a year, 14% below the Texas typical home.
$258KZillow home value
Typical home value
Alto$258K
Texas$299K
−9.6%
value change, 1 year
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →
Safety
Crime reported in Alto
Alto's reported crime rate is below Texas's. 5 violent crimes were reported in 2025.
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Alto4.7
Texas3.5
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Alto10.3
Texas18.1
U.S.15.5
5
violent crimes reported in 2025
11
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeFull safety report →
Schools
Alto’s public schools outperform 48% of Texas districts
The public schools Alto’s kids attend trail 52% of Texas’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.
B−School Grade
| School | Grades | Students | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alto El | PK–4 | 207 | B− |
| Alto Middle | 5–8 | 152 | B− |
| Alto H S | 9–12 | 146 | B |
| Alto Christian Academy Private | K–12 | 32 |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within TX on state testsAll 4 schools →
Small town
1,222 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
Famous people from Alto
4 notable people were born in Alto.
About Alto
Town in Cherokee County, Texas, United States
Alto is a town in Cherokee County, Texas, United States. With a population of 1,027 at the 2020 U.S. census, Alto is the closest municipality to the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, an archaeological site dating back to 800 BC, featuring a prehistoric village and ceremonial center.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Population
- 1,027
- Area
- 1.7 sq mi
- Elevation
- 436 ft
- ZIP code
- 75925
- Area code
- 936
More about Alto
Still missing for Alto:a photo of Altoupcoming events