Waterloo, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waterloo, New York had a total population of 4,605, the 383rd largest village in New York, with a median household income of $51,642, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Waterloo Quick Facts
How Waterloo 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 | 4,600 | 4,605 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $52,404 | $51,642 | -1.5% |
| Median home value | $111,300 | $114,300 | +2.7% |
How Waterloo 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: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waterloo Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Seneca County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seneca Falls | 6,956 | $59,864 | 15.9% | $123,700 |
| Interlaken | 493 | $59,028 | 11.4% | $143,900 |
| Ovid | 402 | $79,583 | 8.2% | $121,400 |
| Lodi | 307 | $54,125 | 9.2% | $114,100 |
| Romulus | 265 | $45,417 | 33.0% | $89,200 |
Cities Similar to Waterloo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Falls | 4,550 | $53,544 | $105,700 | 22.0% | 24.3% |
| Gates | 4,691 | $54,647 | $168,600 | 34.7% | 21.4% |
| Dansville | 4,653 | $57,329 | $118,600 | 19.6% | 6.7% |
| Cobleskill | 4,682 | $46,059 | $193,300 | 32.6% | 16.2% |
| Waverly | 4,305 | $54,274 | $140,200 | 13.2% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Waterloo is a small community located in New York, within Seneca County. The total population is 4,605. It ranks as the 383rd most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waterloo is 50.8 years. This is 28% higher than the state median of 39.8 years. 15.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waterloo is $51,642. This is 40% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 17% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $114,300. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Waterloo is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waterloo is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (84.5% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.4%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
23.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waterloo, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waterloo, New York?
Waterloo, New York has a population of 4,605 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waterloo, NY?
The median household income in Waterloo is $51,642, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waterloo, NY?
The poverty rate in Waterloo is 11.7%. This means approximately 514 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waterloo, New York?
Waterloo's population is 84.5% White, 2.7% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waterloo, NY?
The median home value in Waterloo is $114,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Waterloo, New York?
23.5% of adults (25+) in Waterloo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.