Waterford, Connecticut Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waterford, Connecticut had a total population of 3,304, the 91st largest community in Connecticut, with a median household income of $73,156, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Waterford Quick Facts
How Waterford Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,496 | 3,304 | -5.5% |
| Median household income | $75,968 | $73,156 | -3.7% |
| Median home value | $245,600 | $282,900 | +15.2% |
How Waterford Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 57 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waterford Rankings in Connecticut
Explore Connecticut Rankings
Cities Similar to Waterford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niantic | 3,123 | $81,250 | $396,000 | 48.2% | 3.6% |
| Fairfield University | 2,939 | N/A | N/A | 5.7% | 92.3% |
| Moosup | 2,885 | $73,024 | $270,900 | 18.4% | 14.4% |
| Jewett City | 3,429 | $55,530 | $196,900 | 10.9% | 13.9% |
| Lordship | 3,669 | $84,606 | $465,200 | 47.3% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Waterford is a small community located in Connecticut. The total population is 3,304. It ranks as the 91st most populous out of 214 Census-designated places in Connecticut.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waterford is 44.8 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 41.1 years. 11.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waterford is $73,156. This is 24% lower than the state median of $95,781. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.0%. This is 30% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 5.6%. The median home value is $282,900. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $366,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 66.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waterford is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.7%.
Education
27.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 42.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waterford, Connecticut is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Connecticut state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 214 Census-designated places in Connecticut. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waterford, Connecticut?
Waterford, Connecticut has a population of 3,304 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waterford, CT?
The median household income in Waterford is $73,156, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waterford, CT?
The poverty rate in Waterford is 7.0%. This means approximately 225 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waterford, Connecticut?
Waterford's population is 62.9% White, 6.6% Black, 18.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waterford, CT?
The median home value in Waterford is $282,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Waterford, Connecticut?
27.3% of adults (25+) in Waterford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.