Alvin is a village in South Ross Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States.

The U.S. Post Office uses the name Alvin, however the village is also known by the alternate spelling Alvan (for example, by the U.S. Census Bureau).

Tradition says that the town's name became Alvin (with an "i" instead of an "a") because the post office misspelled it and refused to correct the error.

A marker in the town commemorates the tragic event and reads as follows: Alvin Tornado Monday, March 16, 1942

Killed Billy Smith - Henry O'Farrell Ruth Viles - George Johnson Odessa Scott - Goldie Hoover Donated by Mel Schriefer 2004 A.E.

The North Fork of the Vermilion River flows past the west side of the community.