Living in Waterrijk
Waterrijk is town feel without the crowds — amenities close by, calm on the street, and the housing is dominated by single-family houses (87%), which is what draws settlers rather than passers-through.
At 5,020 residents per km² the buurt is busy without being packed.
Zaanstad offers Amsterdam-adjacent living at a discount along the Zaan river, with industrial heritage converting into housing and a 12-minute train into Amsterdam Centraal. It has absorbed many buyers priced out of the capital, and prices have followed.
The housing market in Waterrijk
The average home value (WOZ) in Waterrijk is €470,000, which puts it at #18 of 89 neighborhoods in Zaanstad — 23% pricier than most of the city. You pay for the location here. For scale: Zaanstad's cheapest buurt averages €272,000 and its priciest €722,000, so Waterrijk sits among the city's pricier neighbourhoods.
With 79% of homes owner-occupied, this is a settled buyers' neighborhood — homes change hands regularly, and you can usually find recent comparable sales on the same street to anchor your bid. Settled also means slower: owners here tend to stay, so the best houses may only list once a decade.
Who lives here
Demographically, Waterrijk is dominated by established households in the 45-to-65 bracket (35% of its 3,265 residents), followed by 25-to-45 year olds at 21%. 53% of households have children at home, so expect school runs, playgrounds in use, and neighbors who stay put. The average household counts 2.7 people.
Getting around
Getting around: households here average 1.4 cars, so assume driveways and parking are part of daily logistics.
Before you bid in Waterrijk
Before you bid in Waterrijk: in a premium buurt the risk isn't buying a bad home, it's overpaying for a good one — anchor your bid on recent sales of comparable homes, not on the asking price. Also, family neighborhoods like this one turn over slowly; when a good house appears it often goes to the first serious, well-prepared bidder.
None of these averages can tell you whether the specific house you found is fairly priced — that depends on its size, energy label, state of maintenance and the recent sales around it. That is exactly what a free HomeReview report checks, in about 10 seconds, for any Dutch address.
Frequently asked questions
Is Waterrijk a good neighborhood to live in?
That depends on what you're looking for. Waterrijk suits families with children best; it's a weaker match for first-time buyers and buyers after city buzz. The average home value is €470,000 (23% pricier than most of Zaanstad) and the neighborhood has 3,265 residents. Ultimately the specific street and home matter more than the neighborhood average.
What is the average home value in Waterrijk?
The average home value (WOZ waarde) in Waterrijk, Zaanstad is €470,000, based on the official CBS neighborhood statistics.
Is Waterrijk mostly owner-occupied or rental?
79% of homes in Waterrijk are owner-occupied and 21% are rentals, of which 18% of all homes are social housing (woningcorporatie).
Is Waterrijk an expensive part of Zaanstad?
Yes — homes in Waterrijk cost about 23% more than in most of Zaanstad, so budget for competition and possible overbidding.
Similar neighborhoods in Zaanstad
Closest in price — worth a look if Waterrijk is out of reach or you want alternatives.
Source: CBS Kerncijfers wijken en buurten — latest complete release (buurt BU04797213) · Updated 2026-08-09. WOZ values are neighborhood averages; individual homes vary.