City profile · New York · Census ACS 2023

Waterloo, NY

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

4,600
Residents
$52,404
Median income
$111,300
Median home
$1,169
Median rent (state)

Waterloo - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Waterloo lands in the 23rd percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

23rd
percentile, household income
14th
percentile, home value
34th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Waterloo, NY

4,600 people live in Waterloo, New York - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Waterloo households earn a median of $52,404 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.0%. Typical homes in Waterloo are valued around $111,300, and the median resident age is 50.0 years. Educational attainment runs 23.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 52.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 4 public schools according to NCES Common Core of Data.

New York carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 107.9 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,169 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $285 across New York, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 41.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

4,600 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New York

Median Household Income

$52,404 /yr

Poverty 3.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.9 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New York average

How does Waterloo compare to other US cities?

Waterloo measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 23% higher than other cities
Home value 14% pricier than other cities
Median rent 34% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Waterloo's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in New York, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

23rdIncome percentile

23rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Waterloo's home value compares nationally

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

$111,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 86% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Waterloo $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 - Waterloo, NY Waterloo, NY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Waterloo, NY-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 Waterloo, NY median $52,404/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%
Waterloo, NY'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 Waterloo, NY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.2%

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

Population
4,600
Median Income
$52,404
Median Home Value
$111,300
Median Age
50.0
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Labor force participation
52.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.4%

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 →
4,600 residents4,700 residents4,800 residents4,900 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,859 residents 4,674 residents ▼ -3.8%
Waterloo's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.1%
Carpool
5.3%
Public Transit
1.4%
Walk
2.0%
Work from Home
12.6%
Other
4.6%

Based on 1,945 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New York - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$65
avg/month
Total Utilities
$285
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New York 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 New York state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Waterloo sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.9
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,169/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
41.8 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New York

Noyack
4,601 people
Blue Point
4,622 people
Gates
4,576 people
Glen Head
4,575 people
Alfred
4,632 people
Little Falls
4,567 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Waterloo's 4,600 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

South Tucson, AZ
4,601 people
Belfair, WA
4,601 people
Lexington, MO
4,602 people
Cornwall, PA
4,602 people
South Greeley, WY
4,596 people
Deer Park, WA
4,605 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Waterloo's $52,404 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Potomac, IL
$52,404 median income
Pleasantville, NJ
$52,403 median income
West Clarkston-Highland, WA
$52,406 median income
Center Point, AL
$52,401 median income
Westport, WA
$52,407 median income
Sylvanite, MT
$52,396 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Waterloo, NY 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 Waterloo, NY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.2% 6.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.1% White 90.2% Black or African American 1.7% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.2% Two or more races 6.9% 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 Waterloo compares to nearby New York cities

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

City Population Median Household Income
Waterloo (this city) 4,600 $52,404
Noyack 4,601 $109,881
Blue Point 4,622 $148,684
Gates 4,576 $54,003
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NY NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Waterloo, NY?

What is the population of Waterloo, NY? +

The population of Waterloo, NY stands at 4,600 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Waterloo, NY? +

The median household income in Waterloo is $52,404 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Waterloo? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Waterloo; the closest available measure is the New York state average, a cost of living index of 107.9 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New York vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Waterloo, NY? +

Homes in Waterloo carry a median value of $111,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, 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 Editorial

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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.