Watervliet, MI Demographics

A map of Watervliet's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	1,535	1,323	71.2%	79.3%
Hispanic	478	156	22.2%	9.3%
Multiracial	89	118	4.1%	7.1%
Native American/Other	33	38	1.5%	2.3%
Black	17	23	0.8%	1.4%
Asian	4	11	0.2%	0.7%

Watervliet, Michigan has an estimated population of 2,156, a large increase from the 1,669 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 71.2% White, 22.2% Hispanic, 4.1% Multiracial, 1.5% Native American/Other, 0.8% Black, and 0.2% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Watervliet, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Watervliet has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Michigan overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Watervliet, that probability was 35.7% in 2020 and 44.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Watervliet is ranked the 288th most populous place in Michigan, out of 745 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Watervliet was ranked the 338th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Watervliet's White Population

1,535 residents of Watervliet, or 71.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Watervliet is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 72.4% of the population is White. Watervliet ranks 619th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watervliet's White population has grown by an estimated 16.0%. White residents' share of Watervliet's population has decreased from 79.3% to 71.2%.

Watervliet is more White than neighboring Hartford (57.8% White). Watervliet is less White than neighboring Paw Paw Lake (83.6% White), Coloma (85.2% White), Millburg (84.7% White), and Lake Michigan Beach (86.6% White).

Watervliet's Black Population

17 residents of Watervliet, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Watervliet is considerably lower than in Michigan overall, where 13.1% of the population is Black. Watervliet ranks 221st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watervliet's Black population has declined by an estimated 26.1%. Black residents' share of Watervliet's population has decreased from 1.4% to 0.8%.

Watervliet is less Black than neighboring Paw Paw Lake (1.4% Black), Coloma (0.9% Black), Hartford (1.1% Black), Millburg (10.2% Black), and Lake Michigan Beach (9.2% Black).

Watervliet's Asian Population

4 residents of Watervliet, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Watervliet is slightly lower than in Michigan overall, where 3.4% of the population is Asian. Watervliet ranks 265th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watervliet's Asian population has declined by an estimated 63.6%. Asian residents' share of Watervliet's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Watervliet is more Asian than neighboring Hartford (0% Asian), Millburg (0% Asian), and Lake Michigan Beach (0% Asian). Watervliet is less Asian than neighboring Paw Paw Lake (1.6% Asian), and Coloma (0.6% Asian).

Watervliet's Hispanic Population

478 residents of Watervliet, or 22.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Watervliet is significantly higher than in Michigan overall, where 5.9% of the population is Hispanic. Watervliet ranks 49th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watervliet's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 206.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Watervliet's population has increased from 9.3% to 22.2%.

Watervliet is more Hispanic than neighboring Paw Paw Lake (4.8% Hispanic), Coloma (7.1% Hispanic), Millburg (1.2% Hispanic), and Lake Michigan Beach (0% Hispanic). Watervliet is less Hispanic than neighboring Hartford (34.8% Hispanic).

Watervliet's Native American/Other Population

33 residents of Watervliet, or 1.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Watervliet is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Watervliet ranks 65th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watervliet's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 13.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Watervliet's population has decreased from 2.3% to 1.5%.

Watervliet is more Native American/Other than neighboring Coloma (0% Native American/Other), Millburg (0% Native American/Other), and Lake Michigan Beach (0.4% Native American/Other). Watervliet is less Native American/Other than neighboring Paw Paw Lake (3.2% Native American/Other), and Hartford (1.7% Native American/Other).

Watervliet's Multiracial Population

89 residents of Watervliet, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Watervliet is comparable to the share in Michigan overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Watervliet ranks 49th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 745 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watervliet's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 24.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Watervliet's population has decreased from 7.1% to 4.1%.

Watervliet is more Multiracial than neighboring Millburg (3.9% Multiracial), and Lake Michigan Beach (3.8% Multiracial). Watervliet is less Multiracial than neighboring Paw Paw Lake (5.5% Multiracial), Coloma (6.2% Multiracial), and Hartford (4.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.