Population 31,964 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Watertown
Household size in Watertown
| Period | Watertown | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.46 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.38 | 2.72 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.40 | 2.69 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.14 | 2.65 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.32 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Watertown are small: just 2.14 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.46, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 31 of the 488 New York cities with 5,000+ people have smaller households.
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 Watertown
| Period | Watertown | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.4 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.4 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.7 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.1 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.6 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Watertown are younger than 39.1 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The population here is younger than in New York overall, where the median age is 40.8. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 34.4, in line with the national trend.
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 Watertown
| Period | Watertown | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.2% | 13.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.8% | 12.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.5% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.6% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in Watertown (12.6%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 1.6 points, in line with the national trend. Watertown has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five New York cities.
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 Watertown
Renters in Watertown
| Period | Watertown | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 50.0% | 44.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 53.6% | 46.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 51.8% | 46.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 53.6% | 45.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.7 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Watertown rent: 53.6% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 40.2% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.7 points, as it has nationally.
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 Watertown
| Period | Watertown | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.1% | 11.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.1% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | −0.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Watertown is close to the national rate: 11.1% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Vacancy has risen 1.5 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell. Watertown has a higher vacancy rate than at least four in five New York cities.
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 Watertown
| Period | Watertown | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1952 | 1956 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1952 | 1957 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1956 | 1958 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1958 | 1961 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Watertown is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1958, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1952 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the center has the oldest housing.
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 Watertown
| Period | Watertown | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $741 | $1,095 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $885 | $1,201 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $862 | $1,426 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,001 | $1,794 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$260 | +$698 | +$606 |
Rent in Watertown runs $1,001 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $260 a month from 2006–10, a 35% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 28.9% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the southeast; the most affordable are in the center.
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 Watertown
Bachelor's degrees in Watertown
| Period | Watertown | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.2% | 31.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.6% | 33.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.0% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.4% | 39.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +8.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Watertown: 25.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.1 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the north.
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 Watertown
| Period | Watertown | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.8% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.2% | 84.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.3% | 86.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.9% | 87.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +3.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Watertown have finished high school (90.9%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 4.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Compared with other New York cities, though, Watertown has a lower share of high school graduates than most.
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 Watertown
| Period | Watertown | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 9.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.4% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.7 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.4%, unemployment in Watertown is the same as the national rate. The rate is lower than in New York overall (6.6%). Unemployment is down 3.7 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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).
Watertown compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | 2.14 | 39.1 | 12.6% | 53.6% | 11.1% | 1958 | $1,001 | 25.4% | 90.9% | 5.4% |
| Glen Park | 2.92 | 30.6 | 16.9% | 27.3% | 11.6% | 1982 | $1,052 | 24.5% | 90.5% | 1.8% |
| East Hounsfield | 2.15 | 35.9 | 9.6% | 64.1% | 10.6% | 1998 | $1,746 | 31.1% | 97.7% | 9.3% |
| Burrs Mills | 2.53 | 43.7 | 14.7% | 18.6% | 4.0% | 1982 | $1,013 | 25.2% | 90.9% | 2.6% |
| Brownville | 2.92 | 42.0 | 16.7% | 17.0% | 10.3% | 1967 | $1,413 | 28.7% | 95.8% | 5.0% |
| Calcium | 2.28 | 33.0 | 7.3% | 65.3% | 13.5% | 1978 | $1,253 | 17.3% | 91.1% | 8.1% |
| Rutland Center | 2.44 | 43.0 | 7.7% | 22.7% | 6.7% | 1981 | $1,243 | 22.2% | 91.2% | 7.8% |
| Paddy Hill | 2.79 | 36.4 | 13.3% | 18.0% | 9.9% | 1981 | $972 | 20.6% | 90.2% | 2.4% |
| East Rodman | 2.96 | 35.3 | 23.8% | 17.5% | 4.0% | 1982 | $580 | 28.4% | 94.7% | 3.7% |
| Fort Drum | 2.82 | 24.6 | 5.9% | 94.3% | 3.5% | 2004 | $1,616 | 35.0% | 97.4% | 9.7% |
| Black River | 2.51 | 36.6 | 7.0% | 33.8% | 10.9% | 1976 | $1,097 | 28.3% | 96.8% | 14.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Anniston, AL · Willingboro, NJ · West Falls Church, VA · West Chicago, IL · Warsaw, IN · Union City, GA · Tifton, GA · Texarkana, AR · Studio City, CA · Coram, NY
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 Watertown. 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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