Real Estate Investing in Alton, Illinois (62002)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Madison County • Population: 30,036 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 62002 (Alton, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 12.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Alton, IL (62002)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $120,090
Avg Monthly Rent $981
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $55,041
% Renters 36.2%

Market Analysis: 62002 Alton

The 62002 ZIP in Alton, IL is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $120K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

On the rental side, the numbers look inviting — $120K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 62002 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Regionally, 62002 sits on the difficult end of the IL spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

The demographic picture in 62002 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Alton averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The right play in 62002 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Alton:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 79/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $981/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
St. Louis, MO-IL Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
30 days
Average time to sell
Fast
11.0%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from St. Louis, MO-IL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 62002

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
10.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$44,525/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $64,212 $950 10.7% +7.1% $64,212
2BR $89,051 $1,160 9.4% +7.2% $44,525
3BR $142,628 $1,490 7.5% +6.8% $47,543
4BR $201,568 $1,730 6.2% +6.4% $50,392
5BR $283,606 +5.9% $56,721

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$127K$114K$101K$88K$75K$62KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,118$1,073$1,028$983$938$893Feb 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 62002 Compare?

Metric 62002 Alton St. Louis, MO-IL Illinois
Home Value $120,090 $120,090 N/A $279,761
5-Year CAGR 3.6% 3.6% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $981 $981 N/A -
Cap Rate 6.4% 6.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 62002? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 36% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 62002 (Alton, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
6.4%
Good
5yr Growth
+3.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $120,090
Monthly Rent $981
Price-to-Rent 10.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 9.8%
Cap Rate 6.4%
5-Year IRR 10.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -4.6% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 6.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.4%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
12.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 62002

Population: 30,036

💰 Median Household Income
$55,041
This area
$55,041
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
36.2%
This area
36.2%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.4%
This area
22.4%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.4 years
This area
41.4 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.2%
This area
12.2%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 72.3%
Black/African American 19.9%
Other/Mixed 6.9%
Hispanic/Latino 1.5%
Asian 0.9%
👶 Under 18
21.5%
This area
21.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.5%
This area
19.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.6%
This area
13.6%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 62002

B+ Avg School Grade
9 Schools
16.6:1 Avg Class Size
$17,463 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

East Elementary School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
440 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$17,463 Per Student
A+ Excellent

West Elementary School

📚 02 – 05 Elementary
👥
418 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,463 Per Student
A Very Good

Lovejoy Elem School

📚 K – 02 Elementary
👥
234 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$17,463 Per Student
A Very Good

Alton Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
1,219 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,463 Per Student
A Very Good

Eunice Smith Elem School

📚 K – 02 Elementary
👥
191 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$17,463 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Alton High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,909 Students
👨‍🏫
17.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,463 Per Student
C+ Average

Mark Twain

📚 K – 12 K-12 Limited Data
💰
$17,463 Per Student
C+ Average

Early Childhood

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
233 Students
👨‍🏫
33.3:1 Class Size
💰
$17,463 Per Student
C Below Average

Journeys School

📚 07 – 12 High School Limited Data
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

4 Nearby 2,909 Off-Campus Students
C
CALC Institute of Technology
63 students · 2.7 mi
C+
Lewis and Clark Community College
4,196 students · 3.6 mi
C+
Principia College
338 students · 11.9 mi
C+
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
12,045 students · 12.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,909 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home value in Alton, IL?

Typical homes in Alton, IL go for around $120K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% stable price movement.

Are renters plentiful in Alton, IL?

Working renters make up the core of the Alton, IL tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

What is the smart move for investors in Alton, IL?

Most investors in Alton, IL run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

Is Alton, IL a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Investors tracking Alton, IL will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $120K median home values and $981/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting steady returns.

Does Alton, IL favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in Alton, IL deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

You know 62002 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 62002 ranks in St. Louis, MO-IL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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