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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Watertown

South Dakota · 20,237 residents · 18.439 sq mi
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The short version

Watertown has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $34,348. Population has grown 15% since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $80,600.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 35.1
US median: 35.2
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

20,237
+15%since 1990
from 17,592 in 1990
1990 – 2025
1,098 / sq mi
+15%since 1990
from 954 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
35.1
+7%since 1990
from 32.8 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
17K19K20K22K24K1990201020202024Watertown
202423K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$34,348
+27%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $20,606 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$18,994
+78%since 1990
from $10,660 in 1990
US average: $21,522
9.3%
−4.2 ptssince 1990
from 13.4% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$80,600
+22%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $50,200 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$401
+8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $282 in 1990
US average: $602
66.2%
+2.4 ptssince 1990
from 63.8% in 1990
33.8% rent
2.3
−4%since 1990
from 2.4 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Watertown on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic97.1%(17,079)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.1%(23)
Asian0.4%(68)
Diversity Score7.4%(1,303)
2000
White, non-Hispanic95.8%(19,384)
Black0.1%(25)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(259)
Asian0.3%(66)
Diversity Score4.4%(885)
4
−41%since 1990
from 7 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

20.1%
+6.1 ptssince 1990
from 14.1% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
84.9%
+8.6 ptssince 1990
from 76.3% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
5.5%
+1.5 ptssince 1990
from 4.0% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

9.9 min
−16%since 1990
from 11.8 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Watertown, South Dakota?

Watertown, South Dakota has about 20,237 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Watertown, South Dakota earns about $34,348 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 $80,600, and the typical rent is about $401 a month.

How educated are people in Watertown, South Dakota?

About 20.1% 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 9.3% 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 2,645 residents, a change of about 15 percent over that period.

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

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