Waterman, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waterman, Illinois had a total population of 1,448, the 595th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $100,139, which is 20% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Waterman Quick Facts
How Waterman 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 | 1,419 | 1,448 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $97,386 | $100,139 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $212,900 | $217,300 | +2.1% |
How Waterman 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waterman Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in DeKalb County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb | 40,443 | $46,481 | 24.9% | $204,700 |
| Sycamore | 18,559 | $84,120 | 8.1% | $265,700 |
| Genoa | 5,492 | $82,128 | 11.8% | $225,200 |
| Cortland | 4,564 | $73,971 | 7.0% | $233,200 |
| Hinckley | 2,331 | $86,823 | 10.0% | $291,700 |
| Kirkland | 1,525 | $94,338 | 6.8% | $191,600 |
| Kingston | 1,352 | $88,295 | 7.0% | $241,700 |
| Malta | 1,274 | $80,625 | 24.0% | $180,300 |
| Shabbona | 572 | $63,750 | 13.5% | $186,600 |
Cities Similar to Waterman
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limestone | 1,419 | $103,906 | $212,200 | 23.6% | 4.7% |
| Arbury Hills | 1,519 | $99,091 | $230,200 | 16.2% | 4.1% |
| Philo | 1,487 | $105,625 | $205,400 | 29.1% | 10.3% |
| Twin Grove | 1,458 | $116,250 | $264,800 | 59.7% | 4.2% |
| Kirkland | 1,525 | $94,338 | $191,600 | 20.9% | 6.8% |
Population Overview
Waterman is a small community located in Illinois, within DeKalb County. The total population is 1,448. It ranks as the 595th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waterman is 31.0 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 29.3% of the population under 18, Waterman has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waterman is $100,139. This is 20% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 24% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.0%. This is 58% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $217,300. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Waterman is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 87.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waterman is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.2%. The Black or African American population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (9.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waterman, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. 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 Waterman, Illinois?
Waterman, Illinois has a population of 1,448 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waterman, IL?
The median household income in Waterman is $100,139, which is 24% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waterman, IL?
The poverty rate in Waterman is 5.0%. This means approximately 72 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waterman, Illinois?
Waterman's population is 80.8% White, 2.1% Black, 9.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waterman, IL?
The median home value in Waterman is $217,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Waterman, Illinois?
23.2% of adults (25+) in Waterman hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.