Population 38,578 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Watts
Household size in Watts
| Period | Watts | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.11 | 3.14 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 4.42 | 3.20 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 4.19 | 3.16 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.72 | 3.01 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.39 | −0.13 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Watts are large by national standards, averaging 3.72 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Household size has dropped from 4.11 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only three of Los Angeles' 51 neighborhoods have larger 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 Watts
| Period | Watts | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.2 | 35.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 24.7 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 26.5 | 38.0 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 31.1 | 39.5 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +7.9 | +4.0 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 31.1, Watts is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. The median age has climbed from 23.2 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Watts has the youngest population of any Los Angeles neighborhood.
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 Watts
| Period | Watts | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.8% | 14.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 34.7% | 14.1% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 32.6% | 12.5% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 29.2% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −8.6 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Watts: 29.2% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 8.6 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Watts has the highest share of single-parent households of any Los Angeles neighborhood.
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 Watts
Renters in Watts
| Period | Watts | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 68.6% | 48.8% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 68.5% | 50.8% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 67.4% | 51.4% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 70.8% | 51.6% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +2.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Watts rent: 70.8% 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, 40.7% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share is up 2.2 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Watts
| Period | Watts | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.3% | 7.0% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 6.7% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 6.6% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.1% | 6.7% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.2 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 4.1% of homes in Watts are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy has fallen 6.2 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only two of Los Angeles' 51 neighborhoods have 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 Watts
| Period | Watts | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1958 | 1965 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1960 | 1966 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1961 | 1966 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1961 | 1969 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Watts is a place of older homes: half were built before 1961, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1958 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the west 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 Watts
| Period | Watts | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $851 | $1,328 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $928 | $1,415 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,030 | $1,755 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,598 | $2,279 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$746 | +$951 | +$931 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Watts costs $1,598 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in the wider Los Angeles area ($2,279). Rent has climbed $746 a month since 2006–10, up 88%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 39.2% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Watts
Bachelor's degrees in Watts
| Period | Watts | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.2% | 29.7% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 3.9% | 30.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 33.7% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 37.6% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | +7.9 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Watts have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 7.9%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 2.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only one other Los Angeles neighborhood has a lower 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 Watts
| Period | Watts | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.5% | 76.7% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 50.8% | 77.7% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 52.1% | 80.0% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 57.4% | 82.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.9 pts | +5.4 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over four in ten adults in Watts never finished high school, well above the national share: only 57.4% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 10.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only four of Los Angeles' 51 neighborhoods have a lower share of high school graduates.
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 Watts
| Period | Watts | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.1% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 16.2% | 10.6% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.7% | 5.8% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.7% | 6.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Watts: 12.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Of Los Angeles' 51 neighborhoods, only four have higher unemployment. Unemployment is up 0.6 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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).
Watts 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watts | 3.72 | 31.1 | 29.2% | 70.8% | 4.1% | 1961 | $1,598 | 7.9% | 57.4% | 12.7% |
| Southeast Los Angeles | 4.09 | 31.7 | 28.0% | 68.8% | 5.2% | 1955 | $1,627 | 8.0% | 51.4% | 8.7% |
| West Rancho Domingues | 3.22 | 37.2 | 17.3% | 32.8% | 5.2% | 1957 | $1,494 | 15.4% | 77.3% | 12.1% |
| Athens | 3.22 | 36.1 | 21.5% | 53.6% | 5.4% | 1964 | $1,686 | 20.1% | 77.1% | 9.6% |
| Walker | 3.82 | 34.8 | 22.7% | 64.8% | 2.6% | 1955 | $1,587 | 8.3% | 52.0% | 9.6% |
| Hollydale | 3.71 | 36.6 | 12.6% | 40.8% | 4.2% | 1957 | $1,915 | 13.7% | 69.4% | 5.8% |
| South Los Angeles | 3.35 | 34.2 | 22.3% | 67.8% | 7.5% | 1953 | $1,593 | 19.2% | 66.5% | 10.6% |
| North West Long Beach | 3.87 | 34.4 | 21.4% | 39.9% | 5.4% | 1958 | $1,572 | 18.7% | 74.7% | 7.4% |
| Nevin | 3.97 | 33.1 | 28.2% | 76.0% | 5.2% | 1965 | $1,511 | 7.0% | 44.4% | 11.2% |
| Morningside Park | 2.50 | 43.7 | 13.7% | 46.0% | 8.5% | 1961 | $1,945 | 36.4% | 85.4% | 9.1% |
| Central City | 3.81 | 32.7 | 26.2% | 79.7% | 5.2% | 1955 | $1,406 | 9.6% | 50.0% | 10.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Sawtelle, Los Angeles, CA · Middle Village, Queens, NY · Midtown-Memphis, Memphis, TN · Mililani Waipio Melemanu, Mililani, HI · Mission Bay, San Diego, CA · Rhawnhurst, Philadelphia, PA · Rhodes Ranch, Spring Valley, NV · Riverview West, Santa Ana, CA · Roseland, Chicago, IL · Medical, Houston, TX
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 Watts. 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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