Watchtower, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watchtower, New York had a total population of 3,974, the 417th largest community in New York. The poverty rate is 100.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (100.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 1.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Watchtower Quick Facts
How Watchtower Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Watchtower Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Ulster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston | 23,911 | $68,186 | 17.6% | $315,500 |
| New Paltz | 8,314 | $52,774 | 38.2% | $414,500 |
| Highland | 6,367 | $101,917 | 5.8% | $415,900 |
| Ellenville | 4,211 | $42,969 | 35.0% | $218,200 |
| Saugerties | 3,884 | $57,778 | 21.0% | $374,100 |
| Marlboro | 3,679 | $119,318 | 2.9% | $412,800 |
| Port Ewen | 3,426 | $79,386 | 9.1% | $284,100 |
| Hurley | 3,346 | $90,152 | 8.2% | $357,800 |
| Lincoln Park | 2,431 | $76,971 | 10.6% | $272,600 |
| Saugerties South | 2,251 | $89,375 | 7.6% | $278,900 |
Cities Similar to Watchtower
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galeville | 3,962 | $65,352 | $140,100 | 29.4% | 13.0% |
| Pomona | 3,996 | $156,000 | $767,600 | 56.9% | 2.2% |
| Cayuga Heights | 4,000 | $166,526 | $433,000 | 81.3% | 11.2% |
| Newfane | 3,938 | $77,096 | $151,700 | 23.8% | 13.0% |
| Sidney | 3,931 | $50,208 | $120,700 | 27.0% | 21.0% |
Population Overview
Watchtower is a small community located in New York, within Ulster County. The total population is 3,974. It ranks as the 417th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watchtower is 37.4 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 100.0%. This is 614% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Watchtower is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (20.2% vs 13.4%). The Asian population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
1.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 96% lower than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watchtower, New York 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 New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all New York city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Watchtower, New York?
Watchtower, New York has a population of 3,974 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watchtower, NY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Watchtower — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Watchtower, NY?
The poverty rate in Watchtower is 100.0%. This means approximately 3,974 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watchtower, New York?
Watchtower's population is 54.1% White, 20.2% Black, 22.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watchtower, NY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Watchtower — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Watchtower, New York?
1.8% of adults (25+) in Watchtower hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.