City profile · New York · Census ACS 2023

Watervliet, NY

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

10,285
Residents
$55,897
Median income
$176,200
Median home
$1,702
Median rent (state)

Watervliet - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Watervliet places in the 29th percentile for household income and the 23rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

29th
percentile, household income
35th
percentile, home value
67th
percentile, median rent
23rd
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: Watervliet, NY

Watervliet is a small town in New York, home to 10,285 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Watervliet brings in $55,897 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 15.6%. Typical homes in Watervliet are valued around $176,200, and the median resident age is 39.0 years. 18.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 61.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits). Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2483.2 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

New York carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts New York at 107.9 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,702 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in New York run around $285, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 82.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

10,285 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New York

Median Household Income

$55,897 /yr

Poverty 15.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.9 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New York average

How does Watervliet compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 29% higher than other cities
Home value 35% pricier than other cities
Median rent 67% pricier than other cities
Safety 23% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just New York and the picture shifts: Watervliet ranks #34 of 55 New York cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

New York-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Watervliet toward the top of New York's cities

Among the 1,246 New York cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Watervliet ranks #170 - the 86th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Watervliet only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#995 of 1,205
17th percentile in New York
Median Gross Rent
#522 of 1,256
53rd percentile in New York
Median Home Value
#762 of 1,202
37th percentile in New York
Poverty Rate
#170 of 1,246
86th percentile in New York
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#1,035 of 1,254
17th percentile in New York

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 New York only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

29thIncome percentile
23rdSafety percentile

29th percentile nationally for median household income · 23rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Watervliet's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Watervliet'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 34 Avg. percentile National median
Watervliet'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 Watervliet's home value compares nationally

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

$176,200 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%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Watervliet $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 - Watervliet, NY Watervliet, NY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Watervliet, 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 Watervliet, NY median $55,897/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%
Watervliet, 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 Watervliet, NY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.9%

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

Population
10,285
Median Income
$55,897
Median Home Value
$176,200
Median Age
39.0
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Labor force participation
61.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2483.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
356.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2127.0
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
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
10,150 residents10,200 residents10,250 residents10,300 residents10,350 residents10,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 10,358 residents 10,242 residents ▼ -1.1%
Watervliet's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 2
2022 1
2023 3
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
71.0%
Carpool
9.3%
Public Transit
5.1%
Walk
4.7%
Work from Home
9.6%

Based on 5,248 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 Watervliet sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.9
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,702/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
82.2 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New York

Loudonville
10,274 people
Oneida
10,240 people
Massena
10,234 people
New Hyde Park
10,208 people
Fort Salonga
10,203 people
East Setauket
10,385 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Watervliet's 10,285 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Flowery Branch, GA
10,286 people
Clay, AL
10,288 people
East Franklin, NJ
10,281 people
Exeter, CA
10,280 people
Port Townsend, WA
10,290 people
Berwick, PA
10,291 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Watervliet's $55,897 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Belding, MI
$55,895 median income
West Wareham, MA
$55,900 median income
Blairsville, PA
$55,893 median income
Garrett, PA
$55,893 median income
Topeka, KS
$55,902 median income
Pahoa, HI
$55,903 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Watervliet, 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 Watervliet, NY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 75.4% 8.8% 9.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.2% White 75.4% Black or African American 8.8% Asian 3.2% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.6% Two or more races 9.0% 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 Watervliet 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
Watervliet (this city) 10,285 $55,897
Loudonville 10,274 $131,806
Oneida 10,240 $60,380
Massena 10,234 $48,810
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NY FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Watervliet, NY?

What is the population of Watervliet, NY? +

10,285 people live in Watervliet, NY according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Watervliet households earn a median of $55,897 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Watervliet? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Watervliet; 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.

Is Watervliet, NY safe? +

Watervliet has a total crime rate of 2483.2 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Watervliet, NY? +

Watervliet's median home value sits at $176,200, 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.