Watertown, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watertown, New York had a total population of 24,375, the 67th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $51,753, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.1%.
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.
Watertown Quick Facts
How Watertown 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 | 24,574 | 24,375 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $49,692 | $51,753 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $149,800 | $158,600 | +5.9% |
How Watertown 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+)
Watertown Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Drum | 16,065 | $62,291 | 11.7% | N/A |
| Carthage | 3,510 | $58,125 | 25.8% | $131,200 |
| Calcium | 2,935 | $57,668 | 17.3% | $203,400 |
| West Carthage | 1,864 | $49,885 | 10.4% | $192,100 |
| Clayton | 1,661 | $60,573 | 19.5% | $231,800 |
| Black River | 1,651 | $86,645 | 11.8% | $228,200 |
| Adams | 1,531 | $64,432 | 8.9% | $192,400 |
| Sackets Harbor | 1,490 | $77,043 | 14.0% | $234,900 |
| Alexandria Bay | 1,212 | $55,048 | 10.8% | $154,100 |
| Adams Center | 1,075 | $87,727 | 10.1% | $178,100 |
Cities Similar to Watertown
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 26,285 | $51,052 | $152,800 | 21.0% | 19.5% |
| Kingston | 23,911 | $68,186 | $315,500 | 32.6% | 17.6% |
| Elmira | 26,257 | $43,120 | $93,000 | 18.1% | 30.2% |
| Monsey | 28,160 | $47,629 | $921,000 | 15.2% | 49.1% |
| Newburgh | 28,519 | $56,960 | $247,900 | 19.8% | 24.3% |
Population Overview
Watertown is a small city located in New York, within Jefferson County. The total population is 24,375. It ranks as the 67th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watertown is 35.7 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Watertown is $51,753. 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 20.1%. This is 43% 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. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $158,600. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 40.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Watertown is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.1%. The Black or African American population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.1%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
26.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 91.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watertown, 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 Watertown, New York?
Watertown, New York has a population of 24,375 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watertown, NY?
The median household income in Watertown is $51,753, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Watertown, NY?
The poverty rate in Watertown is 20.1%. This means approximately 4,753 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watertown, New York?
Watertown's population is 78.3% White, 4.5% Black, 7.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watertown, NY?
The median home value in Watertown is $158,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Watertown, New York?
26.6% of adults (25+) in Watertown hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.