Waterville, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waterville, Maine had a total population of 17,077, the 12th largest city in Maine, with a median household income of $53,580, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Waterville Quick Facts
How Waterville 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 | 16,704 | 17,077 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $47,489 | $53,580 | +12.8% |
| Median home value | $173,700 | $184,600 | +6.3% |
How Waterville 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: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waterville Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Kennebec County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta | 19,077 | $47,979 | 18.2% | $201,000 |
| Gardiner | 6,088 | $71,782 | 10.4% | $221,600 |
| Winslow | 5,873 | $59,547 | 11.3% | $217,900 |
| Winthrop | 3,108 | $61,058 | 21.3% | $244,900 |
| Oakland | 2,710 | $44,848 | 13.7% | $167,000 |
| Hallowell | 2,592 | $68,398 | 7.8% | $295,300 |
| Farmingdale | 2,064 | $62,006 | 16.8% | $239,200 |
| Randolph | 1,610 | $66,574 | 15.7% | $174,300 |
| Clinton | 1,381 | $70,625 | 1.4% | $163,800 |
Cities Similar to Waterville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta | 19,077 | $47,979 | $201,000 | 28.9% | 18.2% |
| Brunswick | 17,652 | $70,722 | $363,200 | 51.3% | 8.6% |
| Sanford | 22,247 | $72,524 | $280,200 | 24.8% | 10.3% |
| Biddeford | 22,498 | $72,333 | $396,600 | 32.1% | 15.5% |
| Westbrook | 20,775 | $85,038 | $383,300 | 41.3% | 8.0% |
Population Overview
Waterville is a small city located in Maine, within Kennebec County. The total population is 17,077. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waterville is 35.5 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 44.8 years. Only 14.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waterville is $53,580. This is 28% lower than the state median of $74,733. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.6%. This is 92% 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 5.5%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $184,600. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $296,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 48.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waterville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.8% vs 1.1%).
Education
30.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 36.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waterville, Maine 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 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. 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 Waterville, Maine?
Waterville, Maine has a population of 17,077 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waterville, ME?
The median household income in Waterville is $53,580, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waterville, ME?
The poverty rate in Waterville is 20.6%. This means approximately 2,944 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waterville, Maine?
Waterville's population is 87.2% White, 1.6% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waterville, ME?
The median home value in Waterville is $184,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Waterville, Maine?
30.8% of adults (25+) in Waterville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.