Living in Watertown, New York
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Watertown · Census data 2020–2024
Watertown has 24,375 residents with a median age of 35.7. The median household income is $51,753 (40% lower than the New York median), the median home value is $158,600, the median rent is $967/month.
Watertown at a glance
- Population
- 24,375
- Median age
- 35.7State: 39.8
- Median household income
- $51,753State: $85,974
- Median home value
- $158,600State: $423,800
- Median rent
- $967/moState: $1,621
- Homeowners
- 40.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26.6%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Watertown a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 63% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 5.3%.
Cons: Median household income 40% lower than the New York median; a poverty rate of 20.1%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Watertown
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Watertown the median home value is $158,600, 52% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $967 per month, which is 28.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,352 a month in housing costs.
Watertown median household income
The median household income in Watertown is $51,753 and the income per person is $33,731. 20.1% of residents live below the poverty line (New York: 14%).
Housing in Watertown: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 13,426
- Owner-occupied
- 40.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 59.1%
- Vacant
- 11.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1945
- Average household size
- 1.98
Watertown demographics
- Population
- 24,375
- Median age
- 35.7
- Under 18
- 21.5%
- 65 and older
- 16%
- Households
- 11,867
- Foreign-born
- 4.9%
- Veterans
- 11.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Watertown ›
Education in Watertown
26.6% of adults 25 and older in Watertown have a bachelor's degree or higher (New York: 40.2%), and 11.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Watertown
- Unemployment rate
- 5.3%State: 6.4%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 33 min
- Work from home
- 4.5%
- Drive alone
- 79.2%
- Public transit
- 0.9%
- Walk to work
- 5.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.3%
Watertown vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | 24,375 | $51,753 | $158,600 | $967 |
| Glen Park | 624 | $43,125 | $177,100 | $1,096 |
| Brownville | 700 | $101,563 | $192,300 | $900 |
| Pamelia Center | 907 | $123,482 | $150,600 | — |
| Calcium | 2,935 | $57,668 | $203,400 | $1,347 |
| Black River | 1,651 | $86,645 | $228,200 | $906 |
| Dexter | 754 | $49,408 | $158,000 | $620 |
| Felts Mills | 402 | $51,667 | $155,000 | $1,167 |
| Fort Drum | 16,065 | $62,291 | — | $1,622 |
More for people moving to Watertown
Watertown ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Watertown: FAQ
What is the median household income in Watertown, NY?
The median household income in Watertown is $51,753, 40% lower than the New York median of $85,974 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Watertown?
The median home value in Watertown is $158,600, compared with $423,800 in New York.
How much is rent in Watertown?
The median gross rent in Watertown is $967 per month, about 28.4% of household income.
Is Watertown, NY a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 63% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 5.3%. Minuses: median household income 40% lower than the New York median; a poverty rate of 20.1%.
What is the median age in Watertown?
The median age in Watertown is 35.7 years (New York: 39.8).
How long is the commute in Watertown?
The average commute to work in Watertown is 16 minutes; 4.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Watertown?
The unemployment rate in Watertown is 5.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Watertown?
26.6% of adults in Watertown have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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