NEIGHBORHOOD
Watts
California · Los Angeles · 35,884 residents · 1.89 sq mi
The short version
With 35,884 people, Watts is a neighborhood in Los Angeles. Owners hold 32% of the housing stock. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, below the 36% national rate. The median age is 31.0, younger than the US median of 38.9. 32% of people here were born outside the United States. 28.0% of people here live below the federal poverty line. These figures are approximated by combining the 9 census tracts that make up Watts; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 31.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
32% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
35,884
Population density
18,946 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
31.0
US average: 38.9
Land area
1.89 sq mi
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$52,390
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$18,543
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
33.7%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
28.0%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.451
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade10.9%
Information10.3%
Finance & insurance9.7%
Professional, scientific, technical9.7%
Wholesale trade8.2%
Transportation & warehousing4.2%
Other services2.8%
Public administration1.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
Construction0.4%
Manufacturing0%
Education & health services0%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$533,510
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,579
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
31.9%
68.1% rent
Vacancy rate
3.1%
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
3.71 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
37.0%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
63.8%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
10.2
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Section 04
Race & ethnicity
2024
White, non-Hispanic0.9%(317)
Black18.2%(6,522)
Hispanic / Latino77.5%(27,795)
Asian1.3%(483)
Other2.1%(767)
2024
White, non-Hispanic0.9%(317)
Black18.2%(6,522)
Hispanic / Latino77.5%(27,795)
Asian1.3%(483)
Other2.1%(767)
Diversity Score
46
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Section 05
Education
Bachelor's degree or higher
7.6%
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
57.8%
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.9%
US average: 14.0%
Section 06
Commute & transportation
Average commute
33.7 min
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
67.7%
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.8%
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
7.2%
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.5%
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.7%
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
19.0%
US average: 8.3%
Section 07
Work & employment
Unemployment rate
13.9%
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.2%
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.5%
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
15.8%
US average: 42.5%
Section 08
People & community
Male
44.6%
Female
55.4%
Foreign born
31.6%
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
0.9%
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.1%
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.2%
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
77.8%
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
32.2%
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
66.6%
US average: 13.6%
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Drill deeper
Places similar to Watts
Norwood
Pop 39,556
Harvard Heights
Pop 31,350
Castle Hill-Unionport
Pop 35,838
Allerton
Pop 33,067
Places similar to WattsHead to head
Compare Watts side by side
WATTS VS
Norwood
Income$51,566−2%
Home value$295,145−45%
Population39,556+10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATTS VS
Harvard Heights
Income$53,025+1%
Home value$1,006,790+89%
Population31,350−13%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATTS VS
Castle Hill-Unionport
Income$57,204+9%
Home value$583,142+9%
Population35,838same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATTS VS
Allerton
Income$45,676−13%
Home value$567,638+6%
Population33,067−8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked
How many people live in Watts, Los Angeles, California?
Watts, Los Angeles, California has about 35,884 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Watts, Los Angeles, California?
The typical household in Watts, Los Angeles, California earns about $52,390 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Watts, Los Angeles, California expensive?
In Watts, Los Angeles, California, the median home is worth about $533,510, and the typical rent is about $1,579 a month.
How educated are people in Watts, Los Angeles, California?
About 7.6% of adults age 25 and over in Watts, Los Angeles, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Watts, Los Angeles, California?
About 28.0% of people in Watts, Los Angeles, California live below the federal poverty line.
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Containing area
Los AngelesDATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024