Altamont is located in south central Illinois in
Effingham County north of
Mt. Vernon between
Vandalia and
Effingham along Highway 40. Local attractions include the Ben Winter Museum showcasing the area's train history and the Dr. Charles M. Wright House, a furnished 18-room Victorian mansion built in 1889.
The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 2,309, an increase of 13 since 1990.