Watkins Glen, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watkins Glen, New York had a total population of 1,725, the 684th largest village in New York, with a median household income of $49,632, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Watkins Glen Quick Facts
How Watkins Glen 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 | 1,712 | 1,725 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $46,279 | $49,632 | +7.2% |
| Median home value | $200,000 | $204,700 | +2.4% |
How Watkins Glen 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+)
Watkins Glen Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Schuyler County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montour Falls | 1,743 | $50,526 | 23.6% | $123,900 |
| Burdett | 536 | $68,750 | 14.7% | $155,100 |
| Odessa | 508 | $80,385 | 9.7% | $158,600 |
Cities Similar to Watkins Glen
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montour Falls | 1,743 | $50,526 | $123,900 | 18.7% | 23.6% |
| Dryden | 1,671 | $50,435 | $230,900 | 47.8% | 18.2% |
| Angola on the Lake | 1,707 | $54,743 | $160,800 | 31.7% | 7.0% |
| St. Johnsville | 1,790 | $47,109 | $80,500 | 13.2% | 27.7% |
| West Carthage | 1,864 | $49,885 | $192,100 | 21.8% | 10.4% |
Population Overview
Watkins Glen is a small community located in New York, within Schuyler County. The total population is 1,725. It ranks as the 684th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watkins Glen is 54.1 years. This is 36% higher than the state median of 39.8 years. Only 11.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.1% 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 Watkins Glen is $49,632. This is 42% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is 22% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $204,700. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $423,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 49.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Watkins Glen has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (92.5% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
28.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watkins Glen, 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 Watkins Glen, New York?
Watkins Glen, New York has a population of 1,725 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watkins Glen, NY?
The median household income in Watkins Glen is $49,632, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Watkins Glen, NY?
The poverty rate in Watkins Glen is 10.9%. This means approximately 185 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watkins Glen, New York?
Watkins Glen's population is 92.5% White, 2.3% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watkins Glen, NY?
The median home value in Watkins Glen is $204,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Watkins Glen, New York?
28.8% of adults (25+) in Watkins Glen hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.