Watervliet, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watervliet, Michigan had a total population of 2,156, the 288th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $61,167, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 8.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Watervliet Quick Facts
How Watervliet 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 | 1,879 | 2,156 | +14.7% |
| Median household income | $57,477 | $61,167 | +6.4% |
| Median home value | $130,000 | $137,500 | +5.8% |
How Watervliet 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Watervliet Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Berrien County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niles | 11,803 | $51,376 | 17.8% | $135,100 |
| Benton Harbor | 8,953 | $31,117 | 40.1% | $76,500 |
| St. Joseph | 7,986 | $84,057 | 7.3% | $299,000 |
| Fair Plain | 7,330 | $52,817 | 26.6% | $169,400 |
| Buchanan | 4,223 | $56,163 | 7.1% | $154,300 |
| Paw Paw Lake | 3,889 | $67,674 | 17.8% | $191,700 |
| Benton Heights | 3,078 | $33,542 | 39.5% | $97,700 |
| Bridgman | 2,077 | $66,603 | 14.5% | $238,400 |
| Berrien Springs | 2,018 | $65,134 | 13.4% | $159,900 |
| Three Oaks | 1,503 | $66,985 | 9.1% | $215,700 |
Cities Similar to Watervliet
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Odessa | 2,155 | $62,813 | $148,600 | 21.3% | 13.5% |
| Morenci | 2,137 | $59,643 | $104,300 | 7.2% | 13.2% |
| Indian River | 2,039 | $62,140 | $314,100 | 46.5% | 10.6% |
| East Jordan | 2,023 | $60,104 | $148,000 | 13.3% | 10.5% |
| Spring Arbor | 2,275 | $63,631 | $225,000 | 43.6% | 4.4% |
Population Overview
Watervliet is a small community located in Michigan, within Berrien County. The total population is 2,156. It ranks as the 288th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watervliet is 29.1 years. This is 28% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 33.9% of the population under 18, Watervliet has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Watervliet is $61,167. This is 16% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $137,500. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Watervliet is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Watervliet is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.2%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.2% vs 5.9%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
8.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watervliet, Michigan 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 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. 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 Watervliet, Michigan?
Watervliet, Michigan has a population of 2,156 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watervliet, MI?
The median household income in Watervliet is $61,167, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Watervliet, MI?
The poverty rate in Watervliet is 15.9%. This means approximately 323 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watervliet, Michigan?
Watervliet's population is 71.2% White, 0.8% Black, 22.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watervliet, MI?
The median home value in Watervliet is $137,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Watervliet, Michigan?
8.8% of adults (25+) in Watervliet hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.