Waterford, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waterford, Pennsylvania had a total population of 1,301, the 863rd largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $51,250, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 12.2% is notably above the national average.
Waterford Quick Facts
How Waterford 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 | 1,254 | 1,301 | +3.7% |
| Median household income | $58,875 | $51,250 | -13.0% |
| Median home value | $163,000 | $167,600 | +2.8% |
How Waterford 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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waterford Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Erie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | 93,850 | $46,113 | 23.3% | $115,200 |
| Northwest Harborcreek | 8,753 | $93,617 | 6.8% | $225,800 |
| Corry | 6,116 | $48,618 | 25.9% | $96,800 |
| Edinboro | 5,440 | $48,173 | 20.5% | $222,700 |
| North East | 4,054 | $68,828 | 19.2% | $167,000 |
| Lawrence Park | 3,775 | $74,548 | 15.0% | $138,800 |
| Wesleyville | 3,179 | $48,952 | 16.0% | $108,600 |
| Girard | 2,962 | $71,165 | 8.8% | $160,500 |
| Lake City | 2,895 | $75,048 | 10.8% | $165,600 |
| Union City | 2,887 | $44,004 | 23.7% | $88,100 |
Cities Similar to Waterford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleroi | 1,316 | $51,324 | $93,500 | 19.1% | 20.2% |
| Mars | 1,285 | $50,938 | $294,100 | 25.7% | 10.0% |
| St. Vincent College | 1,326 | N/A | N/A | 78.0% | 58.7% |
| Susquehanna Depot | 1,297 | $54,500 | $82,700 | 13.3% | 24.2% |
| Flemington | 1,322 | $53,824 | $158,000 | 19.9% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
Waterford is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Erie County. The total population is 1,301. It ranks as the 863rd most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waterford is 44.7 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waterford is $51,250. This is 34% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.1%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 12.2%. This is 131% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $167,600. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 48.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waterford has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.5%.
Education
19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waterford, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. 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 Waterford, Pennsylvania?
Waterford, Pennsylvania has a population of 1,301 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waterford, PA?
The median household income in Waterford is $51,250, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waterford, PA?
The poverty rate in Waterford is 16.1%. This means approximately 210 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waterford, Pennsylvania?
Waterford's population is 90.8% White, 0.0% Black, 6.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waterford, PA?
The median home value in Waterford is $167,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Waterford, Pennsylvania?
19.8% of adults (25+) in Waterford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.