Waterville city, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Waterville city, Maine has a total population of 16,704, the 12th largest city in Maine, with a median household income of $47,489, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Waterville city Quick Facts
How Waterville city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 17 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waterville city Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Kennebec County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta city | 18,999 | $48,756 | 19.4% | $188,900 |
| Gardiner city | 6,047 | $58,152 | 11.3% | $198,100 |
| Hallowell city | 2,570 | $58,811 | 12.0% | $266,700 |
Cities Similar to Waterville city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta city | 18,999 | $48,756 | $188,900 | 28.0% | 19.4% |
| Brunswick CDP | 16,928 | $68,190 | $333,500 | 49.6% | 7.3% |
| Sanford city | 22,095 | $70,570 | $257,200 | 23.6% | 10.6% |
| Biddeford city | 22,463 | $69,794 | $349,300 | 30.4% | 15.3% |
| Saco city | 20,636 | $84,328 | $370,300 | 40.5% | 6.8% |
Population Overview
Waterville city is a small city located in Maine, within Kennebec County. The total population is 16,704. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 155 cities and towns in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waterville city is 34.5 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 44.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waterville city is $47,489. This is 34% lower than the state median of $71,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 40% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.4%. This is 135% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. 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 5.4%. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $173,700. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $266,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 45.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 74.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waterville city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.0% vs 1.1%).
Education
32.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 35.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waterville city, Maine is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Maine state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 155 Census-designated places in Maine. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waterville city, Maine?
Waterville city, Maine has a population of 16,704 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waterville city, ME?
The median household income in Waterville city is $47,489, which is 40% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Waterville city, ME?
The poverty rate in Waterville city is 25.4%. This means approximately 3,594 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waterville city, Maine?
Waterville city's population is 89.0% White, 1.1% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waterville city, ME?
The median home value in Waterville city is $173,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Waterville city, Maine?
32.2% of adults (25+) in Waterville city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.