Watertown-Fort Drum, NY Metro Area

Watertown-Fort Drum, NY · Metro Area

115,040Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 1 county. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $66,301
Median home value: $188,200
Land area: 1,268 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Jefferson County, NY	Central	115,040	$66,301	$188,200

Largest cities and towns

63 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Le Ray, NY	Town	25,266	$63,073
Watertown, NY	City	24,375	$51,753
Fort Drum, NY	CDP	16,065	$62,291
Brownville (Town), NY	Town	5,797	$88,071
Wilna, NY	Town	5,677	$60,213
Watertown (Town), NY	Town	5,557	$69,809
Adams (Town), NY	Town	4,928	$78,750
Clayton (Town), NY	Town	4,693	$90,357
Champion, NY	Town	4,530	$56,875
Alexandria, NY	Town	3,713	$85,020
Carthage, NY	Village	3,510	$58,125
Ellisburg (Town), NY	Town	3,339	$77,115
Pamelia, NY	Town	3,304	$66,850
Hounsfield, NY	Town	3,257	$82,981
Rutland, NY	Town	3,009	$72,404
Calcium, NY	CDP	2,935	$57,668
Orleans, NY	Town	2,778	$77,500
Theresa (Town), NY	Town	2,621	$69,500
Cape Vincent (Town), NY	Town	2,532	$61,402
Lyme, NY	Town	2,066	$81,400
West Carthage, NY	Village	1,864	$49,885
Antwerp (Town), NY	Town	1,777	$74,274
Henderson, NY	Town	1,698	$92,400
Clayton, NY	Village	1,661	$60,573
Black River, NY	Village	1,651	$86,645

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

13.7%

Unemployment

5.9%

College Educated

26.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$66,301

Mean Household Income

$86,210

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

52.5%

Female

47.5%

Population Split

Male52.5%

Female47.5%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

Irish15.9%

German13.8%

English13.5%

Italian8.2%

French5.5%

Polish3.0%

Mexican2.4%

Scottish2.3%

African1.3%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

4.6%Foreign Born

95.4%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized60.6%

Non-Citizen39.4%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later45.1%

Before 201054.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

61,862

Median Rent

$1,213/mo

Median Home Value

$188,200

Median Year Built

1972

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

27,015

College Enrollment

19.4%

High School

19.2%

College Educated

26.5%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

19.5 min

Drive Alone Rate

77.6%

Public Transit

0.3%

Work From Home

7.7%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

24.0%

18-34 Years

27.9%

35-64 Years

33.0%

65+ Years

15.1%

Population Composition

Under 1824.0%

18-3427.9%

35-6433.0%

65+15.1%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

49.3%

Single Parent

5.4%

Living Alone

28.7%

Avg Size

2.32

Household Types

Married Couples49.3%

Single Parent5.4%

Living Alone28.7%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$36,025

SNAP Usage

15.8%

Health Insurance

94.5%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k15.4%

$25k - $50k22.8%

$50k - $100k31.0%

$100k+30.8%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

6.9%

Retail Trade

14.0%

Education & Health Care

26.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

14.9%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

94.5%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

90.8%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

94.4%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

87.7

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

174.2

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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