Watervliet, MI

Michigan

Watervliet is a small town in Michigan with a population of 1,879. Residents earn $57,477 per year, which is 24% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,879 Population 1,592/sq mi density
$57,477 Median Income $23,076 per capita
$130,000 Home Value $217,393 Zillow
$838 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
352 Violent Crime/100K 1,290 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$57,477 median income, 3.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$130,000 home value, $838/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
352 violent crimes/100K (7% below avg)
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,477
24% lower than US avg
Home Value $130,000
54% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 352/100K
7% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.4%
69% lower than US avg
Median Rent $838
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.6%
33% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.7%
3% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.0%
11% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,879
Median Age29.9 yrs
Density1,592/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

B+
Median Income$57,477
Per Capita$23,076
Unemployment3.7%
Poverty11.0%
County GDP$3,313M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$130,000
Rent$838
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$217,393

Crime

F
Violent352/100K
Property1,290/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault117/100K
Burglary234/100K

Health

Obesity42.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.6%
Heart Disease7.7%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain38.2 in/yr
Elevation644 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.4%
High School+83.8%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute20 min
Libraries11

Is Watervliet a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Watervliet receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Watervliet has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Watervliet is $57,477, 24% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.7%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Watervliet is $130,000, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $838 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Watervliet is below the national average at 352 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,290 per 100,000, 34% below the national average.

Education

10.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Watervliet experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.2 inches, including 77.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Watervliet has a population of 1,879 with a density of 1,592 people per square mile. The median age is 29.9 years, 23% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.1%), with 3.5% Hispanic.

Population

1,879
Total Population
1,592
People / sq mi
29.9yrs
Median Age
23% below US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.6%
Female 57.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Watervliet vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.4%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.6%
43% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Watervliet vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Watervliet is $57,477, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Watervliet vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,477
24% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,076
Avg Weekly Wage$986
IRS Avg AGI$64,208

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.7%
3% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.0%
11% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,643
County GDP$3,313M

Business (County)

Restaurants164
Healthcare123
Retail254
Manufacturing94

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,255
79% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.81%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.8 min
Work from Home1.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Watervliet is $130,000, 54% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $838 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $217,393.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$130,000
54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$217,393

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$838
28% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$807
1 Bedroom$891
2 Bedrooms$1,113
3 Bedrooms$1,419
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied66.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,255
79% above US avg
Effective Rate4.81%
In Watervliet, 42.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.6% report depression. 32.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.6%
33% above US avg
Diabetes12.9%
Heart Disease7.7%
High Blood Pressure36.6%
Asthma12.9%
COPD11.1%
Stroke4.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.5%
Physical Inactivity32.0%
Depression30.6%
Mental Distress22.0%
Physical Distress17.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.7%
Checkup Rate75.7%
Premature Death9,267/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access59.9%
Healthcare Facilities123
Watervliet has a violent crime rate of 352 per 100,000 residents, 7% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,290 per 100,000 (34% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent351.7/100K
7% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape234.5/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault117.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,289.6/100K
34% below US avg
Burglary234.5/100K
Theft1,055.1/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Watervliet has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.2 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall77.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation644 ft (196 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Population Density1,592/sq mi
Coordinates42.1876°N, 86.2586°W
County FIPS26159
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 10.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (69% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.9%
D 41.7%

Winner: Republican by 15.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.4%
69% below US avg
High School+83.8%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,592/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities123
Restaurants164
Retail Stores254

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.8 min
Work from Home1.9%

Nearby Cities

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