Watertown, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watertown, Florida had a total population of 3,068, the 594th largest community in Florida, with a median household income of $41,466, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 42.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (42.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 22.0% is notably above the national average.
Watertown Quick Facts
How Watertown 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 | 2,797 | 3,068 | +9.7% |
| Median household income | $43,164 | $41,466 | -3.9% |
| Median home value | $112,800 | $114,100 | +1.2% |
How Watertown 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: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Watertown Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Columbia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake City | 12,515 | $56,472 | 19.8% | $184,900 |
| Five Points | 1,097 | $63,207 | 11.1% | N/A |
| Fort White | 531 | $53,750 | 23.1% | $220,800 |
Cities Similar to Watertown
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper | 3,072 | $49,500 | $78,300 | 5.1% | 34.1% |
| Frostproof | 3,346 | $42,000 | $150,500 | 16.9% | 26.8% |
| Bonifay | 2,797 | $40,896 | $142,100 | 13.2% | 22.1% |
| Roosevelt Gardens | 3,031 | $49,821 | $309,600 | 20.3% | 22.2% |
| Dover | 3,009 | $49,693 | $248,600 | 10.6% | 23.5% |
Population Overview
Watertown is a small community located in Florida, within Columbia County. The total population is 3,068. It ranks as the 594th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watertown is 47.1 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 42.6 years. 12.6% 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 Watertown is $41,466. This is 44% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 42.4%. This is 237% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 22.0%. This is 356% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $114,100. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $359,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Watertown is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Watertown is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 26.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (26.3% vs 14.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (6.9%) is well below the state average of 27.4%.
Education
8.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 76% lower than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watertown, Florida 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 Florida state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 955 Census-designated places in Florida. 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 Watertown, Florida?
Watertown, Florida has a population of 3,068 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watertown, FL?
The median household income in Watertown is $41,466, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Watertown, FL?
The poverty rate in Watertown is 42.4%. This means approximately 1,288 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watertown, Florida?
Watertown's population is 49.8% White, 26.3% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watertown, FL?
The median home value in Watertown is $114,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Watertown, Florida?
8.3% of adults (25+) in Watertown hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.