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CITY · 2010 ACS

Watertown

South Dakota · 21,482 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 $39,970. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $127,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 36.6
US median: 37.2
Average education
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 25%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
21,482
+6%since 2000
from 20,237 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,165 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 1,098 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
36.6
+4%since 2000
from 35.1 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K19K20K22K24K1990201020202024Watertown
202423K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,970
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,348 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,636
+24%since 2000
from $18,994 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
21.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.4% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
14.1%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.453
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade19.4%
US avg: 10.9%
Information17.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services8.8%
US avg: 7%
Public administration7.4%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade4%
US avg: 7.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Construction2.9%
US avg: 1.4%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2.4%
Professional, scientific, technical1.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$127,800
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,600 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$558
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $401 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
43.5%
−22.7 ptssince 2000
from 66.2% in 2000
36.5% rent
Vacancy rate
8.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
19.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 38.4% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.2
+36%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic94.1%(20,206)
Black0.4%(76)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(345)
Asian0.5%(108)
Other3.5%(752)
Diversity Score14.3%(3,065)
Diversity Score
14
+226%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.8%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 20.1% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
87.7%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 84.9% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
4.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.1 min
+32%since 2000
from 9.9 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
83.7%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 82.6% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
11.6%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
6.7%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
10.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
30.9%
−31.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.1% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
50.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.4%
−36.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Watertown

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Pop 23,617
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Pop 23,972
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Pop 26,488
Temple Terrace
Pop 27,075
Places similar to Watertown
Head to head

Compare Watertown to nearby cities

WATERTOWN VS
Brookings
Income$63,493+59%
Home value$265,500+108%
Population25,355+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Huron
Income$61,452+54%
Home value$159,000+24%
Population14,607−38%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Marshall
Income$68,566+72%
Home value$210,300+65%
Population14,171−40%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Aberdeen
Income$64,405+61%
Home value$217,300+70%
Population27,961+18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Watertown, South Dakota?

Watertown, South Dakota has about 21,482 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Watertown, South Dakota earns about $39,970 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 $127,800, and the typical rent is about $558 a month.

How educated are people in Watertown, South Dakota?

About 23.8% 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 14.1% 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 3,890 residents, a change of about 22 percent over that period.

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

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