Population 10,536 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Water Catchment Area
Household size in Water Catchment Area
| Period | Water Catchment Area | West Palm Beach | Miami area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.19 | 2.55 | 2.80 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.35 | 2.70 | 2.95 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.77 | 2.88 | 2.97 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.52 | 2.62 | 2.80 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.33 | +0.06 | +0.00 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Water Catchment Area has 2.52 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.19, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the east.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Water Catchment Area
| Period | Water Catchment Area | West Palm Beach | Miami area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.8 | 39.3 | 39.9 | 40.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 47.8 | 40.0 | 40.9 | 42.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.3 | 40.6 | 41.9 | 43.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.5 | 42.2 | 42.8 | 43.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.7 | +2.9 | +2.9 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
Water Catchment Area skews older: half of its residents are older than 45.5, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 42.8 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Water Catchment Area
| Period | Water Catchment Area | West Palm Beach | Miami area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.6% | 16.8% | 14.3% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.6% | 16.1% | 14.2% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.3% | 14.8% | 13.3% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.9% | 16.1% | 13.2% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +8.3 pts | −0.7 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in six households in Water Catchment Area (16.9%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The picture is much the same across West Palm Beach. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 8.3 points, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Water Catchment Area
Renters in Water Catchment Area
| Period | Water Catchment Area | West Palm Beach | Miami area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.0% | 37.1% | 34.2% | 30.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.8% | 41.5% | 37.9% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 35.6% | 45.0% | 40.7% | 34.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 17.9% | 42.6% | 39.5% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −5.1 pts | +5.5 pts | +5.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 17.9% of households in Water Catchment Area rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 27.9% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 5.1 points, even as the national share rose. Water Catchment Area has the lowest share of renters of any West Palm Beach neighborhood.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Water Catchment Area
| Period | Water Catchment Area | West Palm Beach | Miami area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.1% | 18.7% | 15.4% | 17.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.3% | 19.1% | 15.3% | 17.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 18.7% | 15.6% | 13.1% | 15.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.5% | 12.7% | 10.9% | 12.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.6 pts | −6.0 pts | −4.5 pts | −4.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Water Catchment Area than nationally: 6.5%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Vacancy has fallen 5.6 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other West Palm Beach neighborhood has a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Water Catchment Area
| Period | Water Catchment Area | West Palm Beach | Miami area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2002 | 1980 | 1979 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 2002 | 1980 | 1979 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 2004 | 1981 | 1980 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2006 | 1984 | 1983 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Water Catchment Area is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 2006, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 2002 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Water Catchment Area has the newest homes of any West Palm Beach neighborhood.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Water Catchment Area
| Period | Water Catchment Area | West Palm Beach | Miami area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,472 | $1,122 | $1,256 | $1,092 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,398 | $1,123 | $1,306 | $1,123 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,619 | $1,380 | $1,586 | $1,323 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,073 | $1,826 | $2,112 | $1,816 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$601 | +$703 | +$856 | +$724 | +$606 |
The median renter in Water Catchment Area pays $2,073 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $601 a month since 2006–10, up 41%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 44.9% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Only one other West Palm Beach neighborhood has higher rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Water Catchment Area
Bachelor's degrees in Water Catchment Area
| Period | Water Catchment Area | West Palm Beach | Miami area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.9% | 24.1% | 29.1% | 26.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 41.4% | 24.9% | 29.3% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 46.2% | 28.7% | 32.5% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 47.9% | 32.5% | 37.1% | 34.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.9 pts | +8.4 pts | +8.0 pts | +8.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Water Catchment Area: 47.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree is up 9.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of West Palm Beach's 11 neighborhoods, only two have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Water Catchment Area
| Period | Water Catchment Area | West Palm Beach | Miami area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.8% | 82.1% | 83.0% | 85.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.9% | 82.7% | 84.2% | 86.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.2% | 84.1% | 85.6% | 88.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.6% | 84.7% | 87.4% | 90.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Water Catchment Area: 95.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has edged down 1.2 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate rose.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Water Catchment Area
| Period | Water Catchment Area | West Palm Beach | Miami area | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 9.7% | 8.8% | 8.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.4% | 11.8% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.7% | 7.4% | 5.8% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 0.6% | 5.5% | 5.0% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.7 pts | −4.2 pts | −3.8 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Water Catchment Area has been low: just 0.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. No other West Palm Beach neighborhood has lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 6.7 points, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Water Catchment Area compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Catchment Area | 2.52 | 45.5 | 16.9% | 17.9% | 6.5% | 2006 | $2,073 | 47.9% | 95.6% | 0.6% |
| Century Village | 1.39 | 72.7 | 6.8% | 23.4% | 32.3% | 1974 | $1,297 | 28.9% | 91.2% | 15.5% |
| Palm Club Village | 2.54 | 34.5 | 17.6% | 62.0% | 17.5% | 1987 | $1,716 | 22.7% | 97.4% | 4.5% |
| Villages of Palm Beach Lakes | 2.19 | 37.9 | 18.2% | 55.8% | 16.6% | 1988 | $1,851 | 42.5% | 90.0% | 4.9% |
| Palm Beach Lakes | 2.80 | 43.8 | 10.5% | 37.1% | 5.9% | 1978 | $1,567 | 21.5% | 82.1% | 11.0% |
| Pineapple Park | 1.97 | 70.1 | 4.4% | 19.0% | 22.5% | 2001 | $2,635 | 62.9% | 97.5% | 1.9% |
| Olympia | 3.93 | 38.8 | 10.6% | 7.2% | 12.5% | 2005 | $3,465 | 57.6% | 91.9% | 2.8% |
| Northwood Hills | 2.99 | 47.7 | 30.6% | 40.0% | 14.5% | 1953 | $1,601 | 32.3% | 81.7% | 7.5% |
| South Shore of Wellington | 2.87 | 43.8 | 10.1% | 25.0% | 4.9% | 1988 | $2,659 | 35.9% | 93.5% | 8.3% |
| Downtown West Palm Beach | 1.54 | 56.3 | 6.4% | 60.1% | 22.6% | 2001 | $2,013 | 69.3% | 97.5% | 1.0% |
| Pinewood-West Palm Beach | 2.60 | 41.0 | 22.8% | 42.3% | 8.3% | 1961 | $1,422 | 26.6% | 68.6% | 5.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Lakeview, New Orleans, LA · Wright Area, Santa Rosa, CA · University District, Cleveland, OH · Northwest, Manchester, NH · Lower Highlands, Fall River, MA · Kamuela, Waimea, HI · Jefferson Park, Chicago, IL · Ivey Ranch-Rancho del Oro, Oceanside, CA · Issaquah Highlands, Issaquah, WA · Hayward Highland, Hayward, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Water Catchment Area. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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