Alto, which means "high," received its name from being the highest point along the railroad line on which it is situated. The elevation is somewhat higher to much higher than the surrounding cities of Caledonia, Lowell, and Middleville.

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Alto is situated at 42°51′24″N 85°22′49″W / 42.85667°N 85.38028°W on the boundary between section 33 of Lowell Township and section 4 of Bowne Township, although it lies mostly within Bowne. The Alto ZIP code 49302 serves most of Bowne Township as well as portions of Lowell Township to the north, Cascade Township to the northwest, and Caledonia Township to the west. It also serves a very small area of Campbell Township in Ionia County around the community of Elmdale.