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CITY

Watertown

South Dakota · 23,736 residents (2025 est.) · 18.439 sq mi
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The short version

Watertown has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $69,600. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $229,400.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 56%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
23,044
+14%since 2000
from 20,237 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,250 / sq mi
+14%since 2000
from 1,098 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.5
+13%since 2000
from 35.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:23,736 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
17K19K20K22K24K1990201020202024Watertown
202423K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$69,600
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,348 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$39,939
+110%since 2000
from $18,994 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
46.8%
+27.4 ptssince 2009
from 19.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.426
−6%since 2010
from 0.453 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$229,400
+56%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$942
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $401 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
65.3%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 66.2% in 2000
34.7% rent
Vacancy rate
6.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.7%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
34.2%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 38.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.3
+40%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
52
RELATED:See current rent listings in Watertown on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.8%(19,384)
Black0.1%(25)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(259)
Asian0.3%(66)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.4%(885)
2024
White, non-Hispanic89.9%(20,721)
Black0.8%(190)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(675)
Asian0.7%(154)
Other5.7%(1,304)
Diversity Score23.4%(5,395)
Diversity Score
23
+436%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 20.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.3%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 84.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.6 min
+27%since 2000
from 9.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
83.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 82.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.1%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.8%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.8%
−2.3 ptssince 2011
from 4.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
67.5%
−4.5 ptssince 2011
from 72.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.7%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.4%
−31.7 ptssince 2009
from 62.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.5%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
48.5%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.3%
−40.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.6%
−2.3 ptssince 2012
from 12.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.0%
−82.5 ptssince 2013
from 89.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.3%
+13.2 ptssince 2017
from 74.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.4%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 97.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2016
from 0.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Watertown to nearby cities

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WATERTOWN VS
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WATERTOWN VS
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WATERTOWN VS
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Home value$217,300−5%
Population27,961+18%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Watertown, South Dakota?

Watertown, South Dakota has about 23,044 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Watertown, South Dakota?

The typical household in Watertown, South Dakota earns about $69,600 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Watertown, South Dakota expensive?

In Watertown, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $229,400, and the typical rent is about $942 a month.

How educated are people in Watertown, South Dakota?

About 21.6% of adults age 25 and over in Watertown, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Watertown, South Dakota?

About 9.0% of people in Watertown, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Watertown, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Watertown, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,452 residents, a change of about 31 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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