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CITY

Watertown

New York · 23,517 residents (2025 est.) · 9.032 sq mi
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#216Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-8.7%
The short version

Watertown has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $51,753. Population has declined 9% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $158,600. The poverty rate of 20.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 40% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 36%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
24,375
−9%since 2000
from 26,705 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,699 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 2,957 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.7
+5%since 2000
from 34.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:23,517 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
24K25K27K28K30K1990201020202024Watertown
202424K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,753
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,429 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,731
+106%since 2000
from $16,354 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
33.4%
+16.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
20.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 19.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.459
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.458 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade6.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$158,600
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $64,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$967
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $457 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
40.9%
−2.1 ptssince 2000
from 43.0% in 2000
59.1% rent
Vacancy rate
11.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 23.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.2%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.1
+36%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
40
RELATED:See current rent listings in Watertown on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic87.8%(23,438)
Black4.7%(1,260)
Hispanic / Latino3.6%(960)
Asian1.1%(306)
Other0%
Diversity Score22.7%(6,050)
2024
White, non-Hispanic78.3%(19,076)
Black4.5%(1,106)
Hispanic / Latino7.1%(1,723)
Asian2.1%(502)
Other8.1%(1,968)
Diversity Score46.7%(11,381)
Diversity Score
47
+106%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.6%
+9.2 ptssince 2000
from 17.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.3%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 82.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.2%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.3 min
+43%since 2000
from 11.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.2%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 74.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.3%
−7.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.9%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.5%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
19.8%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−5.5 ptssince 2011
from 10.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.2%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 65.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.6%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.9%
−31.3 ptssince 2009
from 62.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
50.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
4.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.6%
−34.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.4%
+3.6 ptssince 2012
from 15.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.6%
−84.3 ptssince 2013
from 90.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.3%
+11.4 ptssince 2017
from 76.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2016
from 92.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2016
from 4.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Watertown to nearby cities

WATERTOWN VS
Fort Drum
Income$62,291+20%
Home value$156,600−1%
Population16,065−32%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Oswego
Income$53,172+3%
Home value$120,600−24%
Population17,024−28%
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WATERTOWN VS
Fulton
Income$52,046+1%
Home value$101,000−36%
Population11,188−52%
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WATERTOWN VS
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Income$61,824+19%
Home value$85,400−46%
Population9,123−61%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Watertown, New York?

Watertown, New York has about 24,375 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Watertown, New York?

The typical household in Watertown, New York earns about $51,753 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Watertown, New York expensive?

In Watertown, New York, the median home is worth about $158,600, and the typical rent is about $967 a month.

How educated are people in Watertown, New York?

About 26.6% of adults age 25 and over in Watertown, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Watertown, New York?

About 20.1% of people in Watertown, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Watertown, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Watertown, New York has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 5,054 residents, a change of about -17 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →