Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Watertown, WI Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

22,774

Median Agei

40.6

Race & Ethnicityi

White

85.4%19,453

Hispanic/Latino

9.5%2,153

Two or More

3.9%890

Other

0.6%126

Black

0.4%95

Asian

0.2%37

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%20

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.9%603

High School Diploma

37.1%5,726

Some College (<1 yr)

8.8%1,356

Some College (1+ yr)

13.7%2,113

Associate's Degree

10.3%1,589

Bachelor's Degree

13.6%2,094

Master's Degree

3.1%475

Professional Degree

0.9%132

Doctorate

0.7%110

HS or Higher

92%

BA or Higher

18.2%

Graduate+

4.6%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$222,100

Median Renti

$1,052

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

62%5,689

Renter-Occupied

38%3,493

Total Units

9,478

Homeownership

62%

Vacancy Rate

3.1%

Home Values

Under $50K

2.3%130

$50K–$100K

1.9%110

$100K–$150K

11.4%649

$150K–$200K

24.1%1,370

$200K–$300K

40.4%2,296

$300K–$500K

17.1%971

$500K–$1M

2.9%163

Rent Distribution

Under $500

174

$500–$750

316

$750–$1,000

1,004

$1,000–$1,250

1,110

$1,250–$1,500

496

$1,500–$2,000

284

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

0.6%58

2010–2019

3.6%339

2000–2009

12.2%1,153

1990–1999

9.2%870

1980–1989

8.1%765

1970–1979

15.6%1,480

1960–1969

8.1%768

1950–1959

8.1%766

1940–1949

3.9%372

1939 or earlier

30.7%2,907

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

74.9%6,875

Electricity

21.6%1,986

Other

1.2%106

Bottled/LP Gas

1.1%98

Wood

0.7%64

No Fuel

0.4%39

Solar

0.1%11

Fuel Oil

0%3

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$70,107

Mean Household Incomei

$78,304

Per Capita Incomei

$32,897

Poverty Ratei

9.6%

Unemploymenti

5.3%

Labor Forcei

12,049

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

4.5%410

$10K–$15K

1.7%152

$15K–$20K

3.5%324

$20K–$25K

2.4%223

$25K–$30K

3.4%315

$30K–$35K

5.3%490

$35K–$40K

4.7%434

$40K–$45K

2.8%261

$45K–$50K

5.8%536

$50K–$60K

8.5%781

$60K–$75K

12.3%1,130

$75K–$100K

17.2%1,579

$100K–$125K

13.3%1,217

$125K–$150K

6.6%603

$150K–$200K

5.3%490

$200K+

2.6%237

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

498

Residentsi

811

Avg. Tenant Renti

$464/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

35 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing78 homes99% occupied$524/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers27 homes72% occupied$469/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8393 homes86% occupied$452/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $70,107/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $21K/yr

66.9%

Very low income$21K–$35K/yr

29.2%

Low income$35K–$56K/yr

3.7%

Moderate / aboveOver $56K/yr

0.2%

Who Receives This Housing

68.9% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

10% of subsidized households are minority

14.4% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

45.2% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,560(8.8% of civilian adults)