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CITY · 2020 ACS

Watertown

South Dakota · 22,655 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 $52,145. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $175,600.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 45%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
22,655
+12%since 2000
from 20,237 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,229 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 1,098 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.1
+9%since 2000
from 35.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K19K20K22K24K1990201020202024Watertown
202423K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,145
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,348 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,346
+55%since 2000
from $18,994 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.3%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 19.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
15.4%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade16.7%
US avg: 10%
Information15.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services6.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration5.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$175,600
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$760
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $401 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
61.7%
−4.5 ptssince 2000
from 66.2% in 2000
38.3% rent
Afford Score
3.4
+44%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic90.4%(20,488)
Black0.4%(101)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(627)
Asian0.8%(181)
Other4.9%(1,110)
Diversity Score21%(4,759)
Diversity Score
21
+381%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 20.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.9%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 84.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.5 min
+36%since 2000
from 9.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
86.2%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 82.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.9%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 4.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
69.2%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 72.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.3%
−31.7 ptssince 2009
from 62.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
50.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
2.5%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.9%
−81.6 ptssince 2013
from 89.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Watertown to nearby cities

WATERTOWN VS
Brookings
Income$63,493+22%
Home value$265,500+51%
Population25,355+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Huron
Income$61,452+18%
Home value$159,000−9%
Population14,607−38%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Marshall
Income$68,566+31%
Home value$210,300+20%
Population14,171−40%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Aberdeen
Income$64,405+24%
Home value$217,300+24%
Population27,961+18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Watertown, South Dakota?

Watertown, South Dakota has about 22,655 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Watertown, South Dakota earns about $52,145 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 $175,600, and the typical rent is about $760 a month.

How educated are people in Watertown, South Dakota?

About 20.8% 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 15.4% 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 5,063 residents, a change of about 29 percent over that period.

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

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