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Moving to Watervliet, New York

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Watervliet, New York is a small city located in Albany County. The population of Watervliet is 10,984 as of the 2020 census. It is bordered on the north by the Town of Colonie and on the south by Troy. Geographically, Watervliet is located along the Hudson River and has a mix of residential, industrial, and commercial areas. The climate in Watervliet has humid summers and cold winters with moderate snowfall.

The city was founded in 1643 as part of the Dutch colony of New Netherland. During the Revolutionary War, Watervliet was a strategic military post for both sides due to its location near Albany and Troy. Today it operates under a mayor-council form of government with six elected council members who serve four-year terms.

The economy in Watervliet centers around manufacturing and retail trade with some notable employers including BBL Construction Services LLC., O’Connell Electric Company Inc., and WAMC Public Radio Network. There are several schools within the city limits including two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school (Watervliet High School), two private schools (Valley Christian School & St Jude’s Catholic School) as well as local branches of Siena College (Albany Campus) and Hudson Valley Community College (Troy Campus).

Popular landmarks in Watervliet include historic sites such as Fort Crailo State Historic Site & Museum which was built by Dutch settlers in 1750; The Arsenal at Watervleit which was built during the War of 1812 to store weapons; Monument Square which features a granite obelisk commemorating fallen soldiers from WWI; and Shaker Heritage Society which is home to several Shaker buildings from 1848.

Population: 10,207. Estimated population in July 2024: 9,889 (-3.1% change)
Males: 4,781 (46.8%), Females: 5,426 (53.2%)

Albany County

Zip code: 12189

Demographics

Median resident age: 35.1 years
Median household income: $32,910
Median house value: $84,300

Population by Race

Races in Watervliet:

  • White Non-Hispanic (90.1%)
  • Black (3.9%)
  • Hispanic (3.6%)
  • Two or more races (1.3%)
  • Other race (1.2%)
  • American Indian (0.5%)

Ancestries: Irish (30.5%), Italian (19.1%), German (14.5%), French (12.5%), Polish (8.5%), English (6.6%).

Land area: 1.3 square miles

Population by Education

Watervliet, New York is a city located in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy metropolitan area. It has a population of 10,254 according to the 2010 census. The city is home to many ethnic and cultural backgrounds, with the majority of residents being of Irish and Italian descent. The median household income is $45,467 and the median age is 39 years old.

The cost of living in Watervliet is slightly higher than the national average due to its close proximity to larger cities such as Albany and Schenectady. The average price for a one-bedroom apartment in Watervliet is around $900 per month, with two-bedrooms costing around $1,100 per month. The cost of groceries in Watervliet is also slightly higher than the national average with an index score of 105.4 (the national average being 100). Additionally, transportation costs are above average due to high gas prices and tolls on nearby highways. Despite this, Watervliet remains an affordable place to live due to its access to public transportation options such as buses and trains that provide easy commutes into larger cities for work or entertainment purposes.

For population 25 years and over in Watervliet

  • High school or higher: 81.3%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.0%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 5.4%
  • Unemployed: 4.4%
  • Mean travel time to work: 18.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Watervliet city

  • Never married: 36.3%
  • Now married: 38.4%
  • Separated: 3.3%
  • Widowed: 10.1%
  • Divorced: 12.0%

4.2% Foreign born (2.2% Europe, 1.3% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: -976 (-8.7%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Watervliet:

  • SAMARITAN HOSPITAL (about 3 miles; TROY, NY)
  • SETON HEALTH SYSTEMS INC (about 3 miles; TROY, NY)
  • EDDY COHOES REHABILITATION CENTER (about 4 miles; COHOES, NY)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Watervliet:

  • ALBANY INTL (about 7 miles; ALBANY, NY; Abbreviation: ALB)
  • FLOYD BENNETT MEMORIAL (about 43 miles; GLENS FALLS, NY; Abbreviation: GFL)
  • RUTLAND STATE (about 77 miles; RUTLAND, VT; Abbreviation: RUT)

Other public-use airports nearest to Watervliet:

  • RENSSELAER COUNTY (about 11 miles; TROY, NY; Abbreviation: 5B7)
  • BURRELLO-MECHANICVILLE (about 12 miles; MECHANICVILLE, NY; Abbreviation: K27)
  • ROUND LAKE (about 14 miles; ROUND LAKE, NY; Abbreviation: W57)

Amtrak stations near Watervliet:

  • 7 miles: ALBANY-RENSSELAER (RENSSELAER, 555 EAST ST.). Services: ticket office, partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, snack bar, ATM, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for car rental service, taxi stand, public transit connection.
  • 18 miles: SCHENECTADY (332 ERIE BLVD.). Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, vending machines, ATM, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for car rental service, taxi stand, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Watervliet:

  • RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE (about 3 miles; TROY, NY; Full-time enrollment: 7,150)
  • HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 3 miles; TROY, NY; Full-time enrollment: 6,337)
  • SIENA COLLEGE (about 5 miles; LOUDONVILLE, NY; Full-time enrollment: 3,001)
  • EXCELSIOR COLLEGE (about 10 miles; ALBANY, NY; Full-time enrollment: 7,096)
  • THE COLLEGE OF SAINT ROSE (about 10 miles; ALBANY, NY; Full-time enrollment: 3,116)
  • SUNY AT ALBANY (about 10 miles; ALBANY, NY; Full-time enrollment: 14,168)
  • UNION COLLEGE (about 17 miles; SCHENECTADY, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,315)

Schools

Public high school in Watervliet:

  • WATERVLIET JSHS (Students: 679; Location: 1245 HILLSIDE DR; Grades: 07 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Watervliet:

  • WATERVLIET ES (Students: 724; Location: 2557 TENTH AVENUE; Grades: KG – 06)
  • MAPLEWOOD SCHOOL (Students: 185; Location: 32 COHOES RD; Grades: KG – 08)

Private primary/middle schools in Watervliet:

  • ST BRIGIDS REGIONAL CATHOLIC S (Students: 293; Location: 700 FIFTH AVENUE; Grades: PK – 8)
  • ST COLMAN’S SCHOOL (Students: 51; Grades: UG – UG)

Libraries

Library in Watervliet:

  • WATERVLIET PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $108,002; Location: 1501 BROADWAY; 17,073 books; 107 audio materials; 530 video materials; 46 serial subscriptions)

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