East Alton, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
East Alton, Illinois
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Location in Madison County, Illinois
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 East Alton, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Illinois | |
| County | Madison | |
| Township | Wood River | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 5.47 sq mi (14.18 km2) | |
| • Land | 5.32 sq mi (13.77 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.16 sq mi (0.41 km2) | |
| Elevation | 443 ft (135 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,786 | |
| • Density | 1,088.00/sq mi (420.05/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | |
| ZIP code |
62024
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| Area code(s) | 618 | |
| FIPS code | 17-21553 | |
| GNIS ID | 2398769 | |
| FIPS code | 17-21553 | |
| Wikimedia Commons | East Alton, Illinois | |
East Alton is a small village in Illinois, United States. It is located in Madison County. In 2020, about 5,786 people lived there. This number was a little less than in 2010.
Contents
Discovering East Alton's Past
East Alton became an official village in 1893. Some records say it was 1894.
Early Leaders and Names
One of the first mayors was William Cobb. He served from 1895 to 1896. He was also mayor again from 1902 to 1905. A street in town, Cobb Street, is named after him.
Like many towns along the River Bend, East Alton started when European settlers arrived. This was in the early 1800s. The community had different names before it was called East Alton. It was known as Emerald, Milton Settlement, and Alton Junction.
Exploring East Alton's Location
East Alton is in the northwest part of Madison County. It is next to the city of Alton to the northwest. To the east, you'll find Rosewood Heights. The city of Wood River is to the southeast. The Mississippi River is to the southwest. Across the river is West Alton, Missouri.
Land and Water Features
The village covers about 5.48 square miles (14.18 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. About 0.16 square miles (0.41 square kilometers) is water. The Wood River flows through the northern and western parts of East Alton. It also forms part of the border with Alton. The Wood River then joins the Mississippi River in the southern part of the village.
Major Roads and Connections
Several important roads pass through East Alton. Illinois Route 3 (Lewis and Clark Boulevard) goes through the southwest. It leads to Alton in one direction. It goes south to East St. Louis in the other. Illinois Route 143 (Berm Highway) runs along the Mississippi River. It connects to Alton and Wood River. Illinois Routes 111 and 140 are along the northern border. They lead to Alton and Bethalto.
People of East Alton
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 454 | — | |
| 1910 | 584 | 28.6% | |
| 1920 | 1,669 | 185.8% | |
| 1930 | 4,502 | 169.7% | |
| 1940 | 4,680 | 4.0% | |
| 1950 | 7,290 | 55.8% | |
| 1960 | 7,630 | 4.7% | |
| 1970 | 7,309 | −4.2% | |
| 1980 | 7,096 | −2.9% | |
| 1990 | 7,063 | −0.5% | |
| 2000 | 6,830 | −3.3% | |
| 2010 | 6,301 | −7.7% | |
| 2020 | 5,786 | −8.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 6,830 people living in East Alton. There were 2,965 households. About 1,787 families lived in the village. The population density was about 1,241 people per square mile.
Community Life
Many households (30.1%) had children under 18 living with them. About 41.3% were married couples. Some households (14.3%) had a female head with no husband. About 39.7% were not families. Many people (35%) lived alone. About 17% of those living alone were 65 or older. The average household had 2.30 people. The average family had 2.95 people.
Age and Income
The population was spread out by age. About 25.2% were under 18. About 8.9% were between 18 and 24. The median age was 36 years old.
In 2000, the average income for a household was $28,404. For a family, it was $35,655. About 7.8% of families lived below the poverty line. This included 18.9% of those under 18.
East Alton's Industries
East Alton is home to the Olin Corporation. This company makes ammunition. Olin has a big effect on East Alton and nearby towns.
Olin's Impact on the Community
A part of town called the Defense Area was built in the 1940s. It used to be for affordable housing. Now, a new neighborhood called Emerald Ridge is there. It has 46 new homes. Olin's influence even reached local sports. East Alton Middle School's teams were once called the Bullets.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was helping to clean up an Olin facility in East Alton by 2021. They asked for public ideas on Olin's plan to clean up soil and water.
Fun Places to Visit in East Alton
East Alton is close to the big city of St. Louis, Missouri. This means people in East Alton can easily visit all the attractions there. East Alton is also near the starting point of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition in Hartford, Illinois.
Local Parks and Recreation
- Van Preter Park: This is the main park in East Alton. It is about 13.8 acres. It has four baseball fields. There are also two playgrounds and three pavilions for picnics.
- Bill Tite Memorial - Lions Park: This park is next to the Keasler Recreation Complex. It has a large playground with swings and climbing units. There are also picnic tables, benches, and barbecue grills. The park was improved in late 2015.
Historical and Cultural Spots
- East Alton Post Office Mural: Inside the post office, you can see a mural called The Letter. It was painted in 1937 by Frances Foy. Many murals like this were created across the United States during that time.
- East Alton History Museum: This museum opened on March 4, 2017. It is in the Fred H. Bright Jr. Vital Services Building. This building also houses the East Alton Police department. It was named after a former mayor.
Famous People from East Alton
- Joe Astroth: A baseball catcher who played for the Athletics team.
- Fred Olsen: He invented a special way to make ball propellant.
- Jayden Ulrich: A discus thrower who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
See also
In Spanish: East Alton para niños
