East Alton is a village in Madison County, Illinois, United States. The population was 5,786 at the 2020 census, down from 6,301 in 2010. History East Alton was incorporated as a village in 1893 (some say 1894). William Cobb, namesake of Cobb Street, was one of the first mayors, from 1895 to 1896, and again in 1902–1905. Like many River Bend communities, the town dates back to when European settlers came to the area in the early 19th century. And it wasn't always East Alton — the community was known as Emerald, Milton Settlement and Alton Junction. Alton Junction was also known as Wann Junction, famous locally for being the site of a horrific rail disaster. Geography East Alton is located in northwestern Madison County at (38.883397, -90.106113). It is bordered to the northwest by the city of Alton, to the east by unincorporated Rosewood Heights, to the southeast by the city of Wood River, and to the southwest by the Mississippi River, with West Alton, Missouri, on the opposite shore. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, East Alton has a total area of , of which are land and , or 2.87%, are water. The Wood River flows through the northern and western parts of the village and forms the village's western border (with Alton) for some of its distance. The river joins the Mississippi in the southern part of the village. Illinois Route 3 (Lewis and Clark Boulevard) passes through the southwest part of the village, leading northwest into Alton and south to East St. Louis. Illinois Route 143 (Berm Highway) follows the Mississippi along the village's southern edge, leading northwest to the center of Alton and east to the center of Wood River. Illinois Routes 111 and 140 run together along the northern border of the village, leading west into Alton and east into Bethalto. Demographics As of the census of 2000, there were 6,830 people, 2,965 households, and 1,787 families residing in the village. The population density was . There were 3,171 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 96.72% White, 0.94% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.02% of the population. There were 2,965 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of