Waterville, KS

Kansas

Waterville is a small town in Kansas with a population of 748. Residents earn $70,625 per year, which is 6% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
748 Population 1,527/sq mi density
$70,625 Median Income $31,239 per capita
$90,300 Home Value $140,176 Zillow
$917 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$70,625 median income, 0.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$90,300 home value, $917/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,625
6% lower than US avg
Home Value $90,300
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.0%
55% lower than US avg
Median Rent $917
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.0%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.3%
92% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.3%
90% lower than US avg

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

People

Population748
Median Age43.6 yrs
Density1,527/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

A
Median Income$70,625
Per Capita$31,239
Unemployment0.3%
Poverty1.3%
County GDP$704M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$90,300
Rent$917
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$140,176

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.7%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain33.6 in/yr
Elevation1,175 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.0%
High School+84.0%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 24%
Commute20 min
Libraries6

Is Waterville a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Waterville receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Waterville offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Waterville is $70,625, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.3%. Only 1.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Waterville is $90,300, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $917 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Waterville experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.6 inches, including 15.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Waterville has a population of 748 with a density of 1,527 people per square mile. The median age is 43.6 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.7%), with 3.7% Hispanic.

Population

748
Total Population
1,527
People / sq mi
43.6yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.7%
Female 58.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Waterville vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.3%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.7%
95% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Waterville vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Waterville is $70,625, which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Waterville vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,625
6% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,239
Avg Weekly Wage$945
IRS Avg AGI$68,725

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.3%
92% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.3%
90% below US avg
Establishments (County)413
County GDP$704M

Business (County)

Restaurants24
Healthcare40
Retail59
Manufacturing16

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,167
10% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.51%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.4 min
Work from Home0.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Waterville is $90,300, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $917 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $140,176.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$90,300
68% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$140,176

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$917
21% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$702
1 Bedroom$753
2 Bedrooms$947
3 Bedrooms$1,223
4 Bedrooms$1,397

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,167
10% below US avg
Effective Rate3.51%
In Waterville, 38.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.7% report depression. 27.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.0%
18% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure31.6%
Asthma10.6%
COPD7.4%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity27.4%
Depression23.7%
Mental Distress19.2%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.2%
Checkup Rate73.7%
Premature Death8,485/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access45.7%
Healthcare Facilities40

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Waterville has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average53.5°F
1% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.6 inches
12% below US avg
Snowfall15.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,175 ft (358 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density1,527/sq mi
Coordinates39.6917°N, 96.7468°W
County FIPS20117
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 15.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (55% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 49.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.4%
D 24.3%

Winner: Republican by 49.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.0%
55% below US avg
High School+84.0%
School Test Score5.80
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,527/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities40
Restaurants24
Retail Stores59

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.4 min
Work from Home0.5%

Nearby Cities

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