The Nifty Theatre in Waterville, Washington is a small movie theater. The 1919 frame building features Mission Style detailing, and seats just under 300.

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6 on the National Register · #27 in WAHistoric places →

Know Waterville

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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About Waterville

Town in Washington, United States

1883Established

1,134Population

0.9 sq miArea

2,625 ftElevation

Waterville is a town in and the county seat of Douglas County, Washington, United States. As a part of Douglas County, it is part of the Wenatchee-East Wenatchee metropolitan area. The population was 1,134 at the 2020 census. The town is near Badger Mountain and Badger Mountain Ski Area.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code98858

Area code509

Living in Waterville

Housing in Waterville

$312K▲ 7.9% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Waterville home is worth about $312,000, up 7.9% in a year, 47% below the Washington typical home.

Only 2 sales in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Work & commute in Waterville

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Most working residents leave Waterville for work: only 13% work in town. The top destinations are Wenatchee (21%), East Wenatchee (6%) and Seattle (4%). Half commute less than 19 miles.

Wenatchee

21%

East Wenatchee

Seattle

Kent

13%Work in townlive and work in Waterville 19 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 378Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Waterville →

Health in Waterville

B⁻

Health Grade B−

Healthier than 54% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Washington

2better than WA·12worse

of 26 measures CDC estimates. The other 12 are too close to call.

Conditions 8▼ 4 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 2▲ 5 close Mind 2▼ 1 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

72%More adults screened for colon cancerWA 66.2% · better 74.3%More adults treating high blood pressureWA 70.7% · better 7.5%More adults with COPDWA 5.1% · worse

Care nearby

Lake Chelan Community HospitalChelan · 13.5 mi · ER · rural critical access

Cvch Chelan ClinicChelan · 13.8 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Waterville · CMS · HRSAHealth in Waterville →

Natural hazards in Waterville

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 88% of U.S. communities.

🥶 Cold waves🌊 Inland flooding🔥 Wildfire

0Does Waterville flood?no paid flood claims on record NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 17 declared for Douglas County

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Waterville →

Climate in Waterville

Full climate →

Waterville has chilly winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 20°, and about 21 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

34° / 21°Winter

57° / 36°Spring

80° / 54°Summer

57° / 38°Fall

How much snow does Waterville get?About 21 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 1, with the last in spring around May 14.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.5° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Waterville →

Schools in Waterville

All Waterville schools →

B⁻

School Grade B-

The public schools Waterville’s kids attend outperform 53% of Washington’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictWaterville School DistrictSchools2

Waterville ElementaryElementary · Grades K–5 · 129 students Waterville High SchoolHigh · Grades 6–12 · 127 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within WA. Ratings are from neighbors.