Watervliet, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watervliet, New York had a total population of 10,287, the 191st largest city in New York, with a median household income of $57,919, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 10,285 | 10,287 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $55,897 | $57,919 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $176,200 | $179,700 | +2.0% |
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: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Watervliet Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Albany County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | 100,492 | $61,986 | 22.9% | $234,700 |
| Cohoes | 18,159 | $61,145 | 25.9% | $223,400 |
| Latham | 13,802 | $104,899 | 9.0% | $326,900 |
| Roessleville | 10,968 | $96,058 | 6.7% | $264,500 |
| Loudonville | 10,527 | $142,829 | 3.3% | $391,200 |
| Westmere | 8,334 | $88,378 | 7.2% | $313,400 |
| Colonie | 7,702 | $103,983 | 7.4% | $285,400 |
| Menands | 4,505 | $80,583 | 5.4% | $271,300 |
| Ravena | 3,243 | $77,217 | 5.8% | $209,100 |
| Green Island | 2,970 | $59,406 | 20.6% | $138,300 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oneida | 10,171 | $61,597 | $160,100 | 25.3% | 14.3% |
| Massena | 10,238 | $51,458 | $94,400 | 25.1% | 24.3% |
| Corning | 10,643 | $61,760 | $158,400 | 40.6% | 11.7% |
| Stony Brook University | 9,530 | N/A | N/A | 57.7% | N/A |
| Canandaigua | 10,514 | $64,929 | $229,100 | 37.6% | 10.8% |
Population Overview
Watervliet is a small city located in New York, within Albany County. The total population is 10,287. It ranks as the 191st most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watervliet is 40.8 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Watervliet is $57,919. This is 33% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.4%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $179,700. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 34.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Watervliet is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (9.3%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
17.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watervliet, 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 Watervliet, New York?
Watervliet, New York has a population of 10,287 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watervliet, NY?
The median household income in Watervliet is $57,919, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Watervliet, NY?
The poverty rate in Watervliet is 18.4%. This means approximately 1,894 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watervliet, New York?
Watervliet's population is 74.5% White, 9.4% Black, 9.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watervliet, NY?
The median home value in Watervliet is $179,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Watervliet, New York?
17.8% of adults (25+) in Watervliet hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.