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Watertown, Massachusetts Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watertown, Massachusetts had a total population of 35,543, the 42nd largest city in Massachusetts, with a median household income of $126,265, which is 21% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.5%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Watertown Quick Facts

Population 35,543
Median Household Income $126,265
Median Home Value $784,600
Poverty Rate 7.5%
Unemployment Rate 5.3%
Median Age 39.4 years
Homeownership Rate 47.7%
Affordability Ratio 6.2x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 66.5%
High School Graduation Rate 95.1%
Diversity Index 48/100
Population 35,543 42nd of 248
Median Income $126,265 top 30%
Poverty Rate 7.5% 40% lower than national
Median Home Value $784,600 top 20%

How Watertown Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 10.9%
$25K-$50K 7.6%
$50K-$100K 20.5%
$100K+ 60.9%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.1%
$10K-$15K
1.7%
$15K-$20K
2.6%
$20K-$25K
1.6%
$25K-$30K
0.8%
$30K-$35K
1.9%
$35K-$40K
1.1%
$40K-$45K
2.4%
$45K-$50K
1.5%
$50K-$60K
2.3%
$60K-$75K
6.8%
$75K-$100K
11.4%
$100K-$125K
10.2%
$125K-$150K
9.5%
$150K-$200K
13.6%
$200K+
27.6%

Employment

5.3% Unemployment Rate State: 5.1%|National: 5.2%
72.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 47.7%
Renter 52.3%
Affordability Index Expensive
6.2x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $2,502/mo 23.8% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

48out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 53 | National average: 61

Education

Watertown Rankings in Massachusetts

#42 Population of 248
#65 Median Income of 241
#39 Education of 248
#48 Home Value of 242

Explore Massachusetts Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Watertown

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Randolph Town34,878$109,573$496,40035.5%8.4%
Braintree Town38,899$122,214$656,80047.5%5.9%
Franklin Town33,154$145,773$611,70058.1%5.9%
North Attleborough Town30,984$112,665$482,20046.4%4.7%
Norwood31,542$107,030$651,70055.4%8.8%

Population Overview

Watertown is a mid-sized community located in Massachusetts. The total population is 35,543. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts.

Age Demographics

The median age in Watertown is 39.4 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 40.0 years. Only 14.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Watertown is $126,265. This is 21% higher than the state median of $103,960. It is also 56% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.5%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $784,600. Housing costs are 40% higher than the state median of $562,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 47.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 62.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Watertown is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.5% of the population. Asian residents account for 11.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.0%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (11.6% vs 7.2%).

Education

66.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% higher than the state rate of 47.3%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.1%. Notably, 35.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Watertown, Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 248 Census-designated places in Massachusetts. 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, Massachusetts?

Watertown, Massachusetts has a population of 35,543 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Watertown, MA?

The median household income in Watertown is $126,265, which is 56% higher than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Watertown, MA?

The poverty rate in Watertown is 7.5%. This means approximately 2,653 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Watertown, Massachusetts?

Watertown's population is 70.5% White, 3.8% Black, 6.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.6% Asian.

What is the median home value in Watertown, MA?

The median home value in Watertown is $784,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.2x.

How educated is Watertown, Massachusetts?

66.5% of adults (25+) in Watertown hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 35.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.