, which was established in 1832
2020 census As of the
2020 census, Waterville had a population of 15,828. The median age was 38.0 years. 17.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.6 males age 18 and over. There were 6,748 households in Waterville, of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 30.5% were married-couple households, 22.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 36.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 40.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 15,722 people, 6,370 households, and 3,274 families living in the city. The
population density was . There were 7,065 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 93.9%
White, 1.1%
African American, 0.6%
Native American, 1.2%
Asian, 0.1%
Pacific Islander, 0.8% from
other races, and 2.4% from two or more races.
Hispanic or
Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population. There were 6,370 households, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.9% were
married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.6% were non-families. Of all households 38.9% were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age in the city was 36.8 years. 17.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 18.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.
2000 census As of the
census of 2000, there were 15,605 people, 6,218 households, and 3,370 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 6,819 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.81%
White, 0.78%
African American, 0.56%
Native American, 1.03%
Asian, 0.03%
Pacific Islander, 0.42% from
other races, and 1.36% from two or more races.
Hispanic or
Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population. 32% reported French and French Canadian ancestry, 18% English, 11% Irish, and 6% German. There were 6,218
households, out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% were
married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.8% were non-families. Of all households 38.6% were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.84. In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.7% under the age of 18, 18.5% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $26,816, and the median income for a family was $38,052. Males had a median income of $30,086 versus $22,037 for females. The
per capita income for the city was $16,430. 19.2% of the population and 15.1% of families were below the federal
poverty level. Statewide, 10.9% of the population was below the poverty level. In Kennebec County, 11.1% of the population was below the federal poverty level. Thus, although the county poverty rate was close to the state poverty rate, the poverty rate for Waterville was higher—typical for a regional center whose suburbs had grown in population. Out of the total population, 29.7% of those under the age of 18 and 14.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. ==Economy and redevelopment==