Alton, Texas electricity: only part of town can choose a provider
Part of Alton is on the competitive market and part isn't, so the first question for any Alton address is whether AEP Texas Central or another utility serves it.
Last updated . Written by Power Hopper. Reviewed by Brent Ward, founder, on 2026-10-19. Data as of October 5, 2026 (meters) and October 19, 2026 (plan prices).
In short: ERCOT counts 2,317 active residential meters with an Alton address, all on AEP Texas Central's wires (October 5, 2026). Only part of Alton is on the competitive market; the Census counts about 5,349 households in the city. Many of the rest likely get power from an electric co-op or another utility without retail choice, so check your exact address.
Who delivers electricity in Alton?
Outages: AEP Texas Central at aeptexas.com/outages.
AEP Texas Central delivery charges and area
Can every address in Alton choose an electricity provider?
1,836 of 2,296 Alton-addressed competitive homes (80%) are in split ZIP codes (78573, 78574), where a neighbor may have a different utility.
1 more utility (co-op, city-owned or non-ERCOT; EIA 2024) also serves parts of Hidalgo County; no retail choice there unless the utility opted in.
Moving to Alton
Local numbers for setting up a home in Alton, each checked on the official source. More contacts, and a printable list, are on Alton helpful move-in information.
- City hall (ask about water service): City of Alton: City Hall (main line), 956-432-0760.
- Natural gas: Texas Gas Service: customer service, 800-700-2443.
- Public schools: Mission CISD, Sharyland ISD, La Joya ISD.
- Driver license: Texas DPS Driver License Office: Mission, 512-424-2600.
You enter your address on the next screen, and we confirm there whether you can choose an electricity provider at that address.
Have a High Light Bill or Electric Bill?
If your electricity bill in Alton came in higher than you expected, upload or enter it and see whether another plan could lower your electricity costs, or whether staying where you are makes more sense.
Weather and electricity in Alton
Typical weather near Alton, from the nearest NOAA station with a complete 1991-2020 record: La Joya, about 3 miles from the city center (station elevation 213 ft). These are normals for that station, not readings at your address. August is the warmest month on average, with a normal daily high of 97°F; January has the coolest average low, 47°F. Average daily highs reach 90°F or more in June to September. No month averages a daily low at or below freezing.
For electricity, the normals point to two seasons that can lift a household's usage: cooling-degree days (a measure of how far each day's mean temperature sits above 65°F) peak in August at 648 for the month, and heating-degree days (below 65°F) peak in January at 257. How much that matters to a bill depends on the home, its insulation, its heating fuel and the household, so use your own usage history, not a regional average, when you compare plans.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precipitation (in) | Cooling degree-days | Heating degree-days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 69 | 47 | 0.8 | 38 | 257 |
| Feb | 74 | 51 | 0.9 | 79 | 146 |
| Mar | 79 | 57 | 1.4 | 168 | 65 |
| Apr | 85 | 63 | 1.7 | 278 | 14 |
| May | 90 | 70 | 1.9 | 461 | 1 |
| Jun | 95 | 74 | 2.0 | 582 | 0 |
| Jul | 95 | 75 | 2.2 | 622 | 0 |
| Aug | 97 | 75 | 1.2 | 648 | 0 |
| Sep | 92 | 71 | 3.5 | 498 | 0 |
| Oct | 87 | 64 | 2.2 | 320 | 9 |
| Nov | 78 | 55 | 1.1 | 129 | 80 |
| Dec | 71 | 48 | 1.4 | 53 | 226 |
Historical weather records for Hidalgo County
The Texas Railroad Commission's county table lists a record low of 10°F (1962) and a record high of 113°F (1998), and a regional estimate of 12 consecutive hours as a typical longest freezing or frozen-precipitation period for Hidalgo County. These are historical county extremes, not Alton's monthly averages and not a forecast; the normals above describe ordinary months.
Reference only: the U.S. Energy Information Administration's 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey puts the average Texas household at about 13,440 kWh a year (about 1,120 kWh a month if spread evenly). That is a statewide average for 2020, not Alton, and not an estimate for your home. EIA source.
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USC00414911; Texas Railroad Commission, Historical Weather Data by County (2022).
What is different about electricity in Alton?
- Only 2,317 competitive residential meters carry an Alton mailing address, against 5,349 Census households in the city, a ratio of 0.43: some homes use other postal cities, and some likely have no retail choice. (ERCOT, Census)
- ZIP 78573 holds 1,809 of the 2,296 competitive homes with an Alton address (79%); across the whole ZIP there are 0.39 competitive meters per Census household. (ERCOT, Census)
- In ZIP 78573, which holds 1,809 Alton-addressed homes, ERCOT counts only 0.39 competitive meters per Census household. EIA's 2024 data lists Magic Valley Electric Cooperative and San Patricio Electric Cooperative in the counties ERCOT and the Census link to that ZIP; their customers are not on the competitive market unless the utility opted in. (ERCOT, Census, EIA-861)
- Population: 18,223 (2020 base) to 24,138 (July 2025), +32.5%, per Census Vintage 2025 estimates. The largest one-year change was +1,679 people, from July 2023 to July 2024. (Census)
- Of the 810,296 homes AEP Texas Central serves on the competitive market, 0.3% have an Alton mailing address. (ERCOT)
- New construction shows up in the meter data: 27 residential meters were added in Alton's main ZIP codes from Oct. 7 to Oct. 18, 2026, including 15 in 78572, and 99 more switched from vacant to active. (ERCOT)
- 5,967 of the 46,848 home meters in Alton's main ZIP codes (12.7%) were de-energized on October 5, 2026, typically a vacant unit awaiting its next account. (ERCOT)
- By competitive homes on its postal city, Alton is number 13 of the 22 cities and towns touching Hidalgo County, just behind Penitas (4,058). (ERCOT)
- 34.0% of households in 78573 rent (ACS 2020-2024), the most among Alton's main ZIP codes, so a lot of Alton electricity accounts open and close with each lease. (Census)
- Median household income across Alton's main ZIP codes runs from $54,298 in 78572 to $55,000 in 78573 (ACS 2020-2024); 25.4% of 78573 households and 30.1% of 78572 households report $250+ monthly electric bills. (Census)
Alton electricity by the numbers
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Population (July 1, 2025 estimate) | 24,138 |
| Population (2020 estimates base) | 18,223 |
| Occupied households (ACS 2020-2024) | 5,349 |
| Active residential meters with an Alton address | 2,317 |
| Active business meters with an Alton address | 410 |
| Residential meters per Census household | 0.43 |
| Delivery utilities (homes) | AEP Texas Central 2,317 |
| Counties | Hidalgo |
| ZIP codes touching Alton | 3 |
| Split ZIP codes (flagged below) | 2 |
How we built these numbers. Download: Alton ZIP table (CSV).
What do electricity plans cost in Alton right now?
Same-day medians for AEP Texas Central’s area (AEP Texas Central: 164 listings), delivery included; not a quote.
| Delivery utility | 500 kWh | 1,000 kWh | 2,000 kWh | Delivery charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEP Texas Central | 12.7¢ | 12.1¢ | 12¢ | 5.6898¢/kWh + $3.24/mo (effective September 29, 2026; tariff) |
Alton ZIP codes: how much of each is on the competitive market?
Not every address in these ZIP codes has retail choice; check your exact address.
| ZIP | Alton homes | Land in Alton | Postal cities | Competitive homes (ERCOT) | Households (Census) | Ratio | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78572 | 460 | 0% | Mission 83%, Palmview 10%, Moore Field 4% | 35,943 | 26,723 | 1.35 | Near-full coverage. 15 new residential meters Oct 7-18, 2026. Mostly outside Alton city limits. |
| 78574 | 27 | 0% | Mission 90%, Palmview 8%, Moore Field 2% | 11,668 | 17,078 | 0.68 | Split. Most homes, not all. 10 new residential meters Oct 7-18, 2026. Mostly outside Alton city limits. |
| 78573 | 1,809 | 20% | Mission 55%, Alton 37%, Palmhurst 6% | 4,938 | 12,720 | 0.39 | Split. Partial coverage. 12 new residential meters Oct 7-18, 2026. |
Split ZIP codes for Alton: 78573, 78574.
Homes, renters and electric bills in Alton’s ZIP codes
$250+ monthly electric bills peak in 78572 (30.1% of households); renters in 78573 (34.0%).
| ZIP | Alton homes | Median income | Renters | 5+ units | $250+ bills | Built 2020+ | New meters | Vacant to active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78573 | 1,809 | $55,000 | 34.0% | 3.5% | 25.4% | 4.7% | 12 | 12 |
| 78572 | 460 | $54,298 | 29.0% | 5.2% | 30.1% | 2.1% | 15 | 87 |
ACS 2020-2024 by ZCTA; meters: ERCOT daily files, Oct 7-18, 2026.
How do towns near Alton compare?
| Town (2,000+ people) | Miles | Competitive homes | Per household | Utility | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmhurst | 2 mi | 688 | 0.88 | AEP Texas Central | Most addresses can choose |
| Palmview | 6 mi | 4,721 | 0.95 | AEP Texas Central | Most addresses can choose |
| Mission | 6 mi | 42,908 | 1.49 | AEP Texas Central | Most addresses can choose |
| McAllen | 6 mi | 50,000 | 1.02 | AEP Texas Central | Most addresses can choose |
| Penitas | 8 mi | 4,058 | 2.24 | AEP Texas Central | Most addresses can choose |
| Edinburg | 10 mi | 28,882 | 0.81 | AEP Texas Central | Most addresses can choose |
Business electricity in Alton
Alton business meters: 410 (5.7 homes per business meter); large non-residential meters in Alton’s main ZIP codes: 7 (ERCOT, October 5, 2026).
We compare retail providers and direct suppliers and can bid out high-consumption accounts, but we can’t promise savings or how many suppliers will bid. Businesses in Texas retail-choice areas can request a rate review online.
How do I compare electricity plans in Alton?
ZIP first, then your address; read each plan’s Electricity Facts Label before choosing.
Common questions about electricity in Alton
Is Alton deregulated for electricity?
Some can: 2,317 Alton-addressed homes are on the competitive market, against about 5,349 city households. Many others likely belong to an electric co-op and can't choose. Split ZIP codes for Alton: 78573, 78574; on those, check the exact address.
Which Alton ZIP code has the most homes on the competitive market?
ZIP 78573: 1,809 of its 4,938 competitive residential meters use an Alton address, and the ZIP has about 12,720 Census households (ratio 0.39).
How many Alton households have a $250 electric bill?
Bills vary across Alton. 30.1% of households in 78572 told the Census survey (ACS 2020-2024) they pay $250 or more a month for electricity, compared with 25.4% in 78573. Bigger, older or all-electric homes push that share up, so compare plans at your own usage.
How do I start electric service at a new Alton address?
12.3% of 78573 residents moved within a year (ACS), and 87 78572 meters turned from vacant to active Oct. 7-18, 2026. Check that your Alton address is on AEP Texas Central's wires, then choose a plan and start date.
Why does my Alton home have a Mission address?
Because ZIP 78573 is mostly addressed to Mission: 55% of its 4,938 competitive residential meters use that postal city, and 37% use Alton. Mailing city isn't city limits; the service address decides the utility.
Where do I report a Alton power outage?
AEP Texas Central, at aeptexas.com/outages: it carries power to all 2,317 Alton-addressed competitive homes, whatever retail provider bills them. Co-op members report outages to their co-op.
Where to next?
Up: AEP Texas Central area · Hidalgo County
Nearest town pages: Palmview · Mission · McAllen · Edinburg · Pharr · San Juan · Hidalgo · Alamo
Compare plans · Moving · High bill · Texas rates · Areas without retail choice · Methodology
Sources
- ERCOT TDSP ESIID Extract (report 203): full extract as of Oct 5, 2026; daily files Oct 7-18, 2026
- Census ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B25003 households, B01003 population)
- Census Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates
- Census 2020 ZCTA-to-place and ZCTA-to-county relationship files
- EIA-861 (2024) utility service territories by county
- PUCT Power to Choose residential offer export, Oct 19, 2026, 7:59 AM CT
- PUCT: Choosing an Electric Plan
- PUCT broker directory (BR260201)
- AEP Texas (Central Division)
- AEP Texas Central delivery tariff (effective September 29, 2026)
BJW Ventures LLC d/b/a Power Hopper | PUCT BR260201. PUCT registration is not an endorsement.