United States › South Dakota › Watertown CITY · 1990 CENSUS
Watertown South Dakota · 17,592 residents · 18.4 sq mi
Time machine
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The short version
Watertown is a city of 17,592 people in South Dakota. The typical home is worth $50,200. Getting to work takes 12 minutes on average. Median rent is $282 a month. Median household income is $20,606, under the $30,130 national median. About 14% of adults have finished a four-year degree.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 32.8
US median: 33.0
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 18%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01
Population & growth vs 35.1 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K 19K 20K 22K 24K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 Watertown Age distribution, 1990
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02
Income & economy $20,606
−21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $34,348 in 2000
US average: $30,130
vs $18,994 in 2000
US average: $14,340
vs 9.3% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
$50,200
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $80,600 in 2000
US average: $93,722
$282
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $401 in 2000
US average: $450
vs 66.2% in 2000
36.2% rent
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 2000
White, non-Hispanic 95.8%(19,384)
Hispanic / Latino 1.3%(259)
1990
White, non-Hispanic 97.1%(17,079)
Hispanic / Latino 0.1%(23)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.
Ancestry
+ 20 more ancestry groups with data vs 20.1% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
vs 84.9% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
vs 5.5% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06
Commute & transportation vs 9.9 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07
Work & employment No data for the years selected.
Section 08
People & community No data for the years selected.
Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married 37.9%(3,732)
Women 15+
Never married 25.9%(2,364)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Section 09
Health coverage Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).
from 10.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
from 53.7% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
from 18.6% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
from 19.0% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
from 14.3% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
from 4.0% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
from 71.9% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
from 32.8% in 2020
US average: 36.7%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later) 24.4%(322)
Gulf War (1990s) 26.8%(353)
Share of the 1,319 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Drill deeper
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Frequently asked
How many people live in Watertown, South Dakota? Watertown, South Dakota has about 17,592 residents according to the 1990 Census.
What is the median household income in Watertown, South Dakota? The typical household in Watertown, South Dakota earns about $20,606 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 $50,200, and the typical rent is about $282 a month.
How educated are people in Watertown, South Dakota? About 14.1% 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 13.4% of people in Watertown, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.
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