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CITY

Watkins Glen

New York · 1,716 residents (2025 est.) · 1.56 sq mi
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The short version

Watkins Glen has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $49,632. Population has fallen 20% since 2000, a loss of 424 residents. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $204,700. With a median age of 54.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 42% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 54.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 62%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,725
−20%since 2000
from 2,149 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,106 / sq mi
−20%since 2000
from 1,378 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
54.1
+37%since 2000
from 39.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,716 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K2K2K1990201020202024Watkins Glen
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$49,632
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,094 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$40,993
+140%since 2000
from $17,096 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
36.2%
+21.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.9%
−3.5 ptssince 2000
from 14.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.454
+13%since 2010
from 0.400 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade10.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Information10.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services1.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$204,700
+62%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$741
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $431 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
49.6%
−6.4 ptssince 2000
from 56.0% in 2000
50.4% rent
Vacancy rate
17.3%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
27.4%
+8.4 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.8%
−9.2 ptssince 2009
from 45.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.1
+79%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
58
RELATED:See current rent listings in Watkins Glen on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.8%(2,081)
Black0.3%(6)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(28)
Asian0.6%(13)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.4%(117)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.5%(1,595)
Black2.3%(40)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(24)
Asian1.4%(24)
Other2.4%(42)
Diversity Score17.9%(309)
Diversity Score
18
+230%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
28.8%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 19.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.6%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 87.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.1%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 9.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.8 min
+26%since 2000
from 15.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
60.6%
−11.0 ptssince 2009
from 71.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
18.5%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
13.7%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.2%
−1.8 ptssince 2011
from 10.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.7%
−2.3 ptssince 2011
from 62.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.5%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
39.4%
−26.0 ptssince 2009
from 65.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.3% in 2009
Female
51.2%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
Foreign born
5.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.5%
−34.9 ptssince 2009
from 44.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.9%
−1.3 ptssince 2012
from 17.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.5%
−78.5 ptssince 2013
from 85.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.5%
+13.5 ptssince 2017
from 80.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2016
from 98.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 1.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Watkins Glen, New York?

Watkins Glen, New York has about 1,725 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Watkins Glen, New York?

The typical household in Watkins Glen, New York earns about $49,632 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Watkins Glen, New York expensive?

In Watkins Glen, New York, the median home is worth about $204,700, and the typical rent is about $741 a month.

How educated are people in Watkins Glen, New York?

About 28.8% of adults age 25 and over in Watkins Glen, New York hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Watkins Glen, New York?

About 10.9% of people in Watkins Glen, New York live below the federal poverty line.

Has Watkins Glen, New York grown since 1990?

Yes, Watkins Glen, New York has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 482 residents, a change of about -22 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 →