Watervliet Arsenal · Public domainWatervliet spent more per resident in 2022 than 70% of similar cities
Watervliet’s city government spent $12.5 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $1,272 per resident. Water and other utilities ($2.2 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Watervliet is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$1,272 per resident in 2022: more than 70% of them
Watervliet’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,272 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 155 New York cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $968, and the middle half spent $744–$1,354. Watervliet spent more than 70% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($1.4 million), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
New York cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Watervliet itself left out).
About $1,272 per resident a year, or $3.48 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: fire, at 22%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Watervliet reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $3,656 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 2.03% of the home’s value, vs 1.55% across New York.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Watervliet’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Tax bills are one input to Watervliet’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Watervliet →
Who’s in charge in Watervliet
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Watervliet’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on watervliet.com ↗.
One full-time city employee for every 110 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (9,807).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Watervliet City School District
Watervliet’s K–12 school district. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $24,127 per pupil, $16,159 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
New York districts overall: 51% local, 41% state, 8% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Watervliet voted in 2024
Official results for Watervliet’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat53.8%1,893 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican44.9%1,578 votesOthers: 1.3% (47 votes).
Most votes in Watervliet: Kamala D Harris
Albany County: Harris 61.9%, Trump 36.5% · New York: Harris 55.9%, Trump 43.3%
of Watervliet’s 8,250 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across New York: 59%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Watervliet: Kirsten E Gillibrand
Albany County: Gillibrand 65.3%, Sapraicone 34.0% · New York: Gillibrand 58.8%, Sapraicone 40.5%
Most votes in the district: Paul D Tonko
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Watervliet, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watervliet | 53.8% | 44.9% | 1.3% | 3,518 |
| Albany County | 61.9% | 36.5% | 1.7% | 149,677 |
| New York | 55.9% | 43.3% | 0.8% | 8,262,600 |
Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Watervliet.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: watervliet.com ↗
- 2New York AssemblyState representatives
- 3New York SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of New York
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How Watervliet compares with the towns next door
Watervliet spent $1,272 per resident in 2022; the 4 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $83 to $1,546. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Green Island | $83 | $3,617 |
| Colonie | $1,204 | $4,590 |
| Green Island | $1,545 | $3,617 |
| Troy | $1,546 | $4,749 |
| Watervliet | $1,272 | $3,656 |
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach Watervliet’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Watervliet’s government
How much does Watervliet spend per resident?
About $1,272 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,272 was more than 70% of 155 New York cities of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Watervliet?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $3,656 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 2.03% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.55% across New York. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see watervliet.com.
Who runs Watervliet’s government?
See watervliet.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Watervliet yet.
How did Watervliet vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 53.8%, Donald J Trump 44.9% (3,518 votes, official results). Albany County: Harris 61.9%, Trump 36.5%. New York: Harris 55.9%, Trump 43.3%.
How many people work for Watervliet?
89 full-time and 26 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $692,928 (about $8.3M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Watervliet in the state legislature?
State Senate District 43 (Jake Ashby) and Assembly District 108 (John McDonald). The Assembly district also covers nine other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Watervliet’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →