Waterford, CA

Full City Profile · California · Merced County County

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
9,177 Population 3,889/sq mi density
$73,092 Median Income $25,530 per capita
$372,900 Home Value $427,944 Zillow
$1,567 Median Rent 27.0% income on rent
63°F Avg Temperature
181 Violent Crime/100K 895 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$73,092 median income, 6.0% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.8 / 5.0
$372,900 home value, $1,567/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
181 violent crimes/100K
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
8.1% bachelor's degree or higher

Waterford, CA

At a Glance

Median Income
$73,092
3% below
$25,530 per capita
Home Value
$372,900
32% above
Zillow: $427,944
Median Rent
$1,567/mo
35% above
27.0% of income on rent
Violent Crime
181/100K
52% below
895/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
8.1%
76% below
70.2% high school+
Unemployment
6.0%
67% above
11.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
36.8%
15% above
14.8% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
63°F

How Waterford Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Waterford's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
97%
Home Value
132%
Rent
135%
Poverty
95%
Bachelor's
24%
Unemployment
167%
Crime
48%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Waterford a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.5 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Waterford residents earn a median household income of $73,092 , which is 3% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $25,530. The unemployment rate stands at 6.0% (67% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 11.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 8,584 business establishments, including 403 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Waterford is $372,900 , 32% above the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $427,944. Median rent is $1,567/month, with 27.0% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 110.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1989.

Safety & Crime

Waterford reports 181 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 52% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 895/100K.

Education

8.1% of adults in Waterford hold a bachelor's degree or higher (76% below the national average). 70.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.0/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Waterford has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.3 inches. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 52.

Data Overview

People

Population9,177
Median Age28.9 yrs
Density3,889/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Foreign Born21.9%
Veterans3.7%

Economy

B+
Median Income$73,092
Per Capita$25,530
Unemployment6.0%
Poverty11.8%
County GDP$13,282M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,057

Housing

B+
Home Value$372,900
Rent$1,567
Ownership53.8%
Zillow$427,944
Housing Units2,648
Rent Burden27.0%

Crime

F
Violent181/100K
Property895/100K

Health

Obesity36.8%
Diabetes10.7%
Smoking14.8%
Heart Disease5.8%
Premature Death8,849/100K

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
Rain12.3 in/yr
AQI52 (Moderate)
Elevation173 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.1%
High School+70.2%
Graduate+2.1%
School Score4.0/10

Community

2024 VoteR 51% / D 47%
Commute29 min
Broadband95.0%
Internet Speed78 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries13

Did You Know?

Waterford was founded in 1969.
The median home in Waterford was built in 1989.
The nearest airport is Merced Yosemite Regional (27 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.458 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
11.9% of the population has a disability.
21.9% of residents are foreign-born.
There are 403 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 62 fatal vehicle crashes.