Watervliet city, New York Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Watervliet city, New York has a total population of 10,285, the 192nd largest city in New York, with a median household income of $55,897, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Watervliet city Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Albany County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany city | 100,081 | $59,485 | 23.4% | $223,000 |
| Cohoes city | 18,043 | $62,111 | 25.3% | $209,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oneida city | 10,240 | $60,380 | $146,300 | 25.4% | 12.8% |
| Massena village | 10,234 | $48,810 | $99,200 | 24.3% | 24.5% |
| Corning city | 10,666 | $61,017 | $148,300 | 41.8% | 15.8% |
| Lancaster village | 10,127 | $63,902 | $186,300 | 25.2% | 5.1% |
| Canandaigua city | 10,542 | $63,268 | $218,300 | 39.1% | 9.4% |
Population Overview
Watervliet city is a small city located in New York, within Albany County. The total population is 10,285. It ranks as the 192nd most populous out of 1,287 cities and towns in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watervliet city is 39.0 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Watervliet city is $55,897. This is 34% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.9%. This is 45% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $176,200. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $403,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 34.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 54.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Watervliet city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.2%) is well below the state average of 19.6%. The Asian population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.
Education
18.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watervliet city, New York 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 New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,287 Census-designated places in New York. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Watervliet city, New York?
Watervliet city, New York has a population of 10,285 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watervliet city, NY?
The median household income in Watervliet city is $55,897, which is 29% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Watervliet city, NY?
The poverty rate in Watervliet city is 19.9%. This means approximately 2,048 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watervliet city, New York?
Watervliet city's population is 73.8% White, 8.7% Black, 7.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watervliet city, NY?
The median home value in Watervliet city is $176,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Watervliet city, New York?
18.8% of adults (25+) in Watervliet city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.