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CITY · 2020 ACS

Watertown

New York · 24,685 residents · 9.032 sq mi
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The short version

Watertown has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $41,918. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $130,300. The poverty rate of 21.6% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 41% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 35%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
24,685
−8%since 2000
from 26,705 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,733 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 2,957 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.5
+4%since 2000
from 34.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
24K25K27K28K30K1990201020202024Watertown
202424K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,918
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,429 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,704
+57%since 2000
from $16,354 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.3%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
21.6%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information16.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade8%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade3.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 2%
Public administration2.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance1.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$130,300
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $64,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$818
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $457 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
39.5%
−3.4 ptssince 2000
from 43.0% in 2000
60.5% rent
Afford Score
3.1
+38%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic77.3%(19,087)
Black5.7%(1,416)
Hispanic / Latino6.9%(1,703)
Asian2%(503)
Other3.4%(839)
Diversity Score41.6%(10,257)
Diversity Score
42
+83%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.9%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 17.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.5%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 82.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 7.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.3 min
+34%since 2000
from 11.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.2%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 74.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
19.1%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.5%
−4.4 ptssince 2011
from 10.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.3%
−5.2 ptssince 2011
from 65.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.8%
−30.4 ptssince 2009
from 62.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
49.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
5.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.9%
−85.0 ptssince 2013
from 90.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare Watertown to nearby cities

WATERTOWN VS
Fort Drum
Income$62,291+49%
Home value$156,600+20%
Population16,065−32%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Oswego
Income$53,172+27%
Home value$120,600−7%
Population17,024−28%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Fulton
Income$52,046+24%
Home value$101,000−22%
Population11,188−52%
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WATERTOWN VS
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Income$61,824+47%
Home value$85,400−34%
Population9,123−61%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Watertown, New York?

Watertown, New York has about 24,685 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Watertown, New York earns about $41,918 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 $130,300, and the typical rent is about $818 a month.

How educated are people in Watertown, New York?

About 20.9% 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 21.6% 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 4,744 residents, a change of about -16 percent over that period.

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

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