Watervliet city, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Watervliet city, Michigan has a total population of 1,879, the 324th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $57,477, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Watervliet city Quick Facts
How Watervliet city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 44 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Watervliet city Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Berrien County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton Harbor city | 9,023 | $29,652 | 41.9% | $75,500 |
| St. Joseph city | 7,805 | $77,765 | 7.1% | $271,100 |
| Buchanan city | 4,259 | $54,068 | 6.7% | $138,400 |
| Bridgman city | 2,383 | $71,435 | 11.7% | $228,800 |
| New Buffalo city | 1,306 | $64,524 | 10.0% | $342,700 |
| Coloma city | 1,051 | $62,778 | 7.4% | $160,400 |
Cities Similar to Watervliet city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union City village | 1,814 | $57,016 | $107,000 | 16.3% | 12.7% |
| L'Anse village | 1,916 | $55,042 | $100,100 | 14.9% | 11.1% |
| Decatur village | 1,814 | $58,281 | $121,900 | 14.3% | 21.6% |
| Capac village | 1,903 | $61,000 | $141,300 | 13.9% | 13.0% |
| Munising city | 1,907 | $54,375 | $112,300 | 27.5% | 4.8% |
Population Overview
Watervliet city is a small community located in Michigan, within Berrien County. The total population is 1,879. It ranks as the 324th most populous out of 745 cities and towns in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watervliet city is 29.9 years. This is 25% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. With 31.2% of the population under 18, Watervliet city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Watervliet city is $57,477. This is 19% lower than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 27% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.2%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $130,000. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $217,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Watervliet city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 72.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Watervliet city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.1%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (21.1% vs 5.7%).
Education
10.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watervliet city, Michigan 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 Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Watervliet city, Michigan?
Watervliet city, Michigan has a population of 1,879 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watervliet city, MI?
The median household income in Watervliet city is $57,477, which is 27% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Watervliet city, MI?
The poverty rate in Watervliet city is 18.2%. This means approximately 339 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watervliet city, Michigan?
Watervliet city's population is 72.2% White, 0.4% Black, 21.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watervliet city, MI?
The median home value in Watervliet city is $130,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Watervliet city, Michigan?
10.4% of adults (25+) in Watervliet city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.