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CITY

Waterman

Illinois · 1,640 residents (2025 est.) · 1.498 sq mi
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The short version

Waterman is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $100,139. Population has grown 18% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $217,300. At a median age of 31.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Poverty is rare here, at 5.0% of residents. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 31.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 6%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,448
+18%since 2000
from 1,224 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
967 / sq mi
+18%since 2000
from 817 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
31.0
−12%since 2000
from 35.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,640 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K1K2K1990201020202024Waterman
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$100,139
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,311
+119%since 2000
from $18,836 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
69.5%
+34.3 ptssince 2009
from 35.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.313
−8%since 2010
from 0.340 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade20.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information9.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Transportation & warehousing8.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Wholesale trade8%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance5.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$217,300
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $127,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$877
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $577 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
87.7%
+11.6 ptssince 2000
from 76.1% in 2000
12.3% rent
Vacancy rate
4.5%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.6%
−23.8 ptssince 2009
from 38.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
18.3%
−24.5 ptssince 2009
from 42.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.2
−19%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
36
RELATED:See current rent listings in Waterman on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.7%(1,196)
Black0.2%(3)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(16)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.1%(50)
2024
White, non-Hispanic80.8%(1,170)
Black2.1%(30)
Hispanic / Latino9.2%(133)
Asian0.3%(4)
Other7.7%(111)
Diversity Score41.5%(602)
Diversity Score
42
+924%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.2%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 19.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.4%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 90.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
39.0 min
+80%since 2000
from 21.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
83.9%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 85.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.9%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.6%
+8.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.1%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
−6.3 ptssince 2011
from 10.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
78.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2011
from 78.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
8.6%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
34.1%
−31.4 ptssince 2009
from 65.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
Female
53.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.6%
−40.7 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.5%
+2.8 ptssince 2012
from 5.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.4%
−82.8 ptssince 2013
from 88.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
97.9%
+13.1 ptssince 2017
from 84.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.6%
+2.0 ptssince 2016
from 93.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2016
from 2.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Waterman to nearby cities

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Home value$204,700−6%
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WATERMAN VS
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WATERMAN VS
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WATERMAN VS
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Population19,083+1064%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Waterman, Illinois?

Waterman, Illinois has about 1,448 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Waterman, Illinois?

The typical household in Waterman, Illinois earns about $100,139 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Waterman, Illinois expensive?

In Waterman, Illinois, the median home is worth about $217,300, and the typical rent is about $877 a month.

How educated are people in Waterman, Illinois?

About 23.2% of adults age 25 and over in Waterman, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Waterman, Illinois?

About 5.0% of people in Waterman, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Waterman, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Waterman, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 374 residents, a change of about 35 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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