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CITY · 2020 ACS

Watkins Glen

New York · 1,863 residents · 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 $44,286. Population has declined 13% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $130,100. With a median age of 47.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 38% less than the New York median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 47.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,863
−13%since 2000
from 2,149 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,194 / sq mi
−13%since 2000
from 1,378 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
47.4
+20%since 2000
from 39.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K2K2K1990201020202024Watkins Glen
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,286
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,094 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,634
+73%since 2000
from $17,096 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
34.9%
+20.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
13.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 14.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade11.8%
US avg: 10%
Information10.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Finance & insurance3.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services2.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction1.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing1.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$130,100
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$756
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $431 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
51.0%
−5.0 ptssince 2000
from 56.0% in 2000
49.0% rent
Afford Score
2.9
+27%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic90.7%(1,689)
Black0.8%(15)
Hispanic / Latino2.7%(50)
Asian1.9%(35)
Other0.5%(9)
Diversity Score14.6%(271)
Diversity Score
15
+168%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.0%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 19.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 87.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
12.1%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.9 min
+33%since 2000
from 15.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
70.8%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 71.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.3%
−8.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.2%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 10.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.9%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 62.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
29.1%
−36.3 ptssince 2009
from 65.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.2%
+6.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.3% in 2009
Female
47.8%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
Foreign born
4.6%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.0%
−81.0 ptssince 2013
from 85.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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WATKINS GLEN VS
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WATKINS GLEN VS
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WATKINS GLEN VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Watkins Glen, New York?

Watkins Glen, New York has about 1,863 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Watkins Glen, New York earns about $44,286 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 $130,100, and the typical rent is about $756 a month.

How educated are people in Watkins Glen, New York?

About 27.0% 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 13.5% 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 344 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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