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CITY

Waterville

Maine · 17,579 residents (2025 est.) · 13.532 sq mi
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The short version

Waterville has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $53,580. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $184,600. The poverty rate of 20.6% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 28% less than the Maine median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.5
US median: 38.9
Average education
31% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 33%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,077
+9%since 2000
from 15,605 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,262 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 1,153 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.5
Unchangedsince 2000
from 35.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:17,579 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
15K16K16K17K17K1990201020202024Waterville
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,580
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,816 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,905
+100%since 2000
from $16,430 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
35.4%
+18.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
20.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.495
+11%since 2010
from 0.448 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade4.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food3.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$184,600
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $76,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$978
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $407 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
48.8%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 49.1% in 2000
51.2% rent
Vacancy rate
6.9%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.1%
−17.3 ptssince 2009
from 30.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.0%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.4
+21%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
61
RELATED:See current rent listings in Waterville on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.2%(14,857)
Black0.8%(119)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(171)
Asian1%(161)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.2%(1,127)
2024
White, non-Hispanic87.2%(14,888)
Black1.5%(264)
Hispanic / Latino3%(507)
Asian1.8%(304)
Other6.5%(1,114)
Diversity Score29.3%(5,000)
Diversity Score
29
+306%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.8%
+9.8 ptssince 2000
from 21.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.6%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 82.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
14.3%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 8.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.0 min
+30%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 68.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.0%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
16.6%
+11.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.9%
−7.1 ptssince 2009
from 13.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
17.2%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.5%
−6.7 ptssince 2011
from 12.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.7%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 59.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
45.4%
−19.2 ptssince 2009
from 64.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
50.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
4.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.3%
−41.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2012
from 19.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.7%
−85.3 ptssince 2013
from 92.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.5%
+17.3 ptssince 2017
from 70.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.7%
+1.9 ptssince 2016
from 90.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.8%
+0.9 ptssince 2016
from 0.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Waterville to nearby cities

WATERVILLE VS
Augusta
Income$47,979−10%
Home value$201,000+9%
Population19,155+9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERVILLE VS
Lewiston
Income$55,393+3%
Home value$235,100+27%
Population38,866+121%
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WATERVILLE VS
Auburn
Income$66,647+24%
Home value$282,000+53%
Population25,441+45%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERVILLE VS
Bath
Income$69,390+30%
Home value$310,900+68%
Population8,835−50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Waterville, Maine?

Waterville, Maine has about 17,077 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Waterville, Maine?

The typical household in Waterville, Maine earns about $53,580 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Waterville, Maine expensive?

In Waterville, Maine, the median home is worth about $184,600, and the typical rent is about $978 a month.

How educated are people in Waterville, Maine?

About 30.8% of adults age 25 and over in Waterville, Maine hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Waterville, Maine?

About 20.6% of people in Waterville, Maine live below the federal poverty line.

Has Waterville, Maine grown since 1990?

Yes, Waterville, Maine has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 19 residents, a change of about -0 percent over that period.

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

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