Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Watertown, NY Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

24,375

Median Agei

35.7

Race & Ethnicityi

White

78.3%19,076

Two or More

7.8%1,907

Hispanic/Latino

7.1%1,723

Black

4.5%1,106

Asian

2.1%502

Other

0.2%57

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%4

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

7.3%1,215

High School Diploma

27.2%4,537

Some College (<1 yr)

6.6%1,096

Some College (1+ yr)

13%2,180

Associate's Degree

10.7%1,784

Bachelor's Degree

15.4%2,578

Master's Degree

8.9%1,485

Professional Degree

1.8%299

Doctorate

0.5%81

HS or Higher

91.3%

BA or Higher

26.6%

Graduate+

11.2%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$158,600

Median Renti

$967

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

40.9%4,850

Renter-Occupied

59.1%7,017

Total Units

13,426

Homeownership

40.9%

Vacancy Rate

11.6%

Home Values

Under $50K

5.2%251

$50K–$100K

17.3%841

$100K–$150K

23.2%1,123

$150K–$200K

19.8%959

$200K–$300K

25.1%1,217

$300K–$500K

6.3%306

$500K–$1M

1.5%74

$1M+

1.6%79

Rent Distribution

Under $500

1,037

$500–$750

1,088

$750–$1,000

1,455

$1,000–$1,250

1,710

$1,250–$1,500

738

$1,500–$2,000

499

$2,000+

221

Year Built

2010–2019

3.4%457

2000–2009

3.3%449

1990–1999

6%806

1980–1989

7.7%1,031

1970–1979

5.8%779

1960–1969

7.8%1,046

1950–1959

10.9%1,461

1940–1949

11.1%1,494

1939 or earlier

44%5,903

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

63.6%7,550

Electricity

30.1%3,577

No Fuel

2.3%276

Fuel Oil

1.6%195

Bottled/LP Gas

1.5%182

Other

0.6%73

Wood

0.1%14

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$51,753

Mean Household Incomei

$70,891

Per Capita Incomei

$33,731

Poverty Ratei

19.5%

Unemploymenti

Labor Forcei

12,515

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

6%711

$10K–$15K

6.6%789

$15K–$20K

3.1%368

$20K–$25K

6.8%804

$25K–$30K

6.1%722

$30K–$35K

4.7%552

$35K–$40K

7.1%843

$40K–$45K

2.5%295

$45K–$50K

5.6%663

$50K–$60K

7.9%941

$60K–$75K

10.2%1,214

$75K–$100K

10.9%1,293

$100K–$125K

8.5%1,011

$125K–$150K

6.1%727

$150K–$200K

3.2%380

$200K+

4.7%554

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

1,964

Residentsi

3,306

Avg. Tenant Renti

$394/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

21 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing638 homes95% occupied$445/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers26 homes87% occupied$425/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8667 homes95% occupied$344/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $51,753/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $16K/yr

72.1%

Very low income$16K–$26K/yr

21.6%

Low income$26K–$41K/yr

5.3%

Moderate / aboveOver $41K/yr

Who Receives This Housing

67% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

13.7% of subsidized households are minority

28.6% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

39.9% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

1,1974.9%

By Region

Top Countries

Guatemala

128

Canada

106

Philippines

Mexico

China

Germany

Korea

India

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

11,659

Avg. Commutei

16.3 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

11,155

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

2,137(11.6% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

93.4%Insured

6.6%Uninsured

Watertown, NY Population, Income & Demographics 2026