City profile · Maine · Census ACS 2023

Waterville, ME

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Waterville - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

16,704
Residents
$47,489
Median income
$173,700
Median home
$1,416
Median rent (state)

Waterville - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Waterville lands in the 16th percentile for household income and the 14th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

16th
percentile, household income
35th
percentile, home value
56th
percentile, median rent
14th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Waterville, ME

Waterville is a small town in Maine, home to 16,704 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Waterville households earn a median of $47,489 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.0%. Typical homes in Waterville are valued around $173,700, and the median resident age is 34.5 years. Educational attainment runs 32.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 54.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 9 residential building permits were authorized in Waterville (Growing), up 13% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Waterville's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3166.0 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Maine tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Maine scores 97.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,416 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $273 across Maine, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 75.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

16,704 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Maine

Median Household Income

$47,489 /yr

Poverty 17.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Maine average

How does Waterville compare to other US cities?

Where Waterville sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 16% higher than other cities
Home value 35% pricier than other cities
Median rent 56% pricier than other cities
Safety 14% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Maine, Waterville ranks #68 of 73 Maine cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Waterville against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Maine only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Maine-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Waterville toward the top of Maine's cities

Among the 154 Maine cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Waterville ranks #24 - the 84th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Waterville only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#108 of 145
26th percentile in Maine
Median Gross Rent
#84 of 154
36th percentile in Maine
Median Home Value
#91 of 151
40th percentile in Maine
Poverty Rate
#24 of 154
84th percentile in Maine
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#64 of 154
58th percentile in Maine

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Maine only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

16thIncome percentile
14thSafety percentile

16th percentile nationally for median household income · 14th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Waterville's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Waterville's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 28 Avg. percentile National median
Waterville's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Waterville's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$173,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 65% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Waterville $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Waterville, ME Waterville, ME's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Waterville, ME-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Waterville, ME median $47,489/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Waterville, ME's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Waterville, ME. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 32.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
16,704
Median Income
$47,489
Median Home Value
$173,700
Median Age
34.5
Poverty Rate
17.0%
Labor force participation
54.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3166.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
142.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3023.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
16,500 residents17,000 residents17,500 residents18,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 16,687 residents 17,579 residents ▲ +5.3%
Waterville's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
9
housing units authorized
Single-Family
9
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 8
2020 8
2021 7
2022 35
2023 9
2024 9

Permit volume increased 13% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
67.4%
Carpool
4.1%
Public Transit
0.1%
Walk
8.7%
Work from Home
15.7%
Other
4.0%

Based on 7,341 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Maine - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$95
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$273
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Maine state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Maine state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Waterville sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,416/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
75.2 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Maine

Brunswick
16,928 people
Augusta
18,999 people
Westbrook
20,484 people
Saco
20,636 people
Sanford
22,095 people
Biddeford
22,463 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Waterville's 16,704 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Centerville, UT
16,692 people
Bull Run CDP (Prince William County), VA
16,688 people
Bridgeview, IL
16,721 people
Lake Mary, FL
16,724 people
Cloverly, MD
16,726 people
Fullerton, PA
16,729 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Waterville's $47,489 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Agua Dulce, TX
$47,485 median income
Soda Springs, ID
$47,480 median income
Andalusia, AL
$47,500 median income
Elkmont, AL
$47,500 median income
Alpena, AR
$47,500 median income
Portland, AR
$47,500 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Waterville, ME Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Waterville, ME - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.6% White 90.2% Black or African American 1.1% Asian 2.0% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.0% Two or more races 5.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Waterville compares to nearby Maine cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Waterville (this city) 16,704 $47,489
Brunswick 16,928 $68,190
Augusta 18,999 $48,756
Westbrook 20,484 $85,868
Census ACS 5-year FIPS ME FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Waterville, ME?

What is the population of Waterville, ME? +

Waterville, ME has a population of 16,704 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Waterville, ME? +

Waterville households earn a median of $47,489 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Waterville? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Waterville; the closest available measure is the Maine state average, a cost of living index of 97.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Maine vary by metro area.

Is Waterville, ME safe? +

Waterville has a total crime rate of 3166.0 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Waterville, ME? +

Waterville's median home value sits at $173,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.