Watertown, NY

New York

Watertown is a small city in New York with a population of 24,574. Residents earn $49,692 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
24,574 Population 2,721/sq mi density
$49,692 Median Income $32,174 per capita
$149,800 Home Value $190,940 Zillow
$933 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
546 Violent Crime/100K 4,627 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$49,692 median income, 3.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$149,800 home value, $933/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
546 violent crimes/100K (44% above avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
25.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,692
34% lower than US avg
Home Value $149,800
47% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 546/100K
44% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.9%
23% lower than US avg
Median Rent $933
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.6%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.8%
6% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.4%
8% higher than US avg

How Watertown Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population24,574
Median Age35.6 yrs
Density2,721/mi²
Male / Female51% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 82%

Economy

B
Median Income$49,692
Per Capita$32,174
Unemployment3.8%
Poverty13.4%
County GDP$1,659M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$149,800
Rent$933
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$190,940

Crime

F
Violent546/100K
Property4,627/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault318/100K
Burglary689/100K

Health

Obesity40.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.9%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain44.4 in/yr
Elevation474 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.9%
High School+89.4%
School Score5.39

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 28%
Commute16 min
EV Stations19
Libraries10

Is Watertown a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Watertown receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Watertown offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Watertown is $49,692, 34% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.8%, indicating a healthy job market. 13.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Watertown is $149,800, 47% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $933 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 546 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,627 per 100,000, 136% above the national average.

Education

25.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Watertown experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.4 inches, including 116.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Watertown has a population of 24,574 with a density of 2,721 people per square mile. The median age is 35.6 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (81.5%), with 2.3% Hispanic, 5.7% Black.

Population

24,574
Total Population
2,721
People / sq mi
35.6yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
9.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.5%
Female 49.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Watertown vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.0%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.0%
48% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Watertown vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Watertown is $49,692, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 13.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Watertown vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,692
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,174
Avg Weekly Wage$1,051
IRS Avg AGI$62,980

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.8%
6% above US avg
Poverty Rate13.4%
8% above US avg
Establishments (County)600
County GDP$1,659M

Business (County)

Restaurants65
Healthcare41
Retail73
Manufacturing21

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,757
64% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.1 min
Work from Home4.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Watertown is $149,800, 47% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $933 (20% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $190,940.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$149,800
47% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$190,940
Median List Price$211,999

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$211,999
$/Sq Ft$117
Homes Sold21
Sale-to-List Ratio96.5%
Price Drops15.2%
Inventory99

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$933
20% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,284

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,215
1 Bedroom$1,315
2 Bedrooms$1,579
3 Bedrooms$1,976
4 Bedrooms$2,193

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied41.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,757
64% above US avg
Effective Rate3.84%
In Watertown, 40.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.9% report depression. 28.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Watertown vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.6%
26% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure31.8%
Asthma12.1%
COPD7.8%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.2%
Physical Inactivity28.4%
Depression21.9%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.2%
Checkup Rate79.4%
Premature Death7,011/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access44.2%
Healthcare Facilities41
Watertown has a violent crime rate of 546 per 100,000 residents, 44% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,627 per 100,000 (136% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Watertown vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent546.3/100K
44% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape167.8/100K
Robbery60.7/100K
Assault317.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,627.1/100K
136% above US avg
Burglary689.1/100K
Theft3,916.6/100K
Vehicle Theft21.4/100K
Arson10.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Watertown has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 44.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.4°F
14% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.4 inches
17% above US avg
Snowfall116.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation474 ft (144 m)
Area9.0 sq mi (23.4 km²)
Population Density2,721/sq mi
Coordinates43.9733°N, 75.9100°W
County FIPS36049
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 25.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 44.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.2%
D 27.8%

Winner: Republican by 44.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.9%
23% below US avg
High School+89.4%
School Test Score5.39
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density2,721/sq mi
Total Area9.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations19
Alt Fuel Stations21
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities41
Restaurants65
Retail Stores73

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.1 min
Work from Home4.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Watertown with another city: