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CITY

Watertown

Wisconsin · 22,704 residents (2025 est.) · 12.064 sq mi
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The short version

Watertown has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $70,107. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $222,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
22,774
+5%since 2000
from 21,598 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,888 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 1,790 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.6
+17%since 2000
from 34.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:22,704 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
19K20K22K23K24K1990201020202024Watertown
202423K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$70,107
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,562 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,897
+73%since 2000
from $18,977 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
44.9%
+20.1 ptssince 2009
from 24.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.9%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.365
−4%since 2010
from 0.379 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade26.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information15.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services2.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$222,100
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $109,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,052
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $563 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
62.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 63.5% in 2000
38.0% rent
Vacancy rate
3.1%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.5%
−9.1 ptssince 2009
from 27.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.6%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.2
+23%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
25
RELATED:See current rent listings in Watertown on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.2%(20,122)
Black0.2%(45)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(1,067)
Asian0.6%(126)
Other0%
Diversity Score13.8%(2,970)
2024
White, non-Hispanic85.4%(19,453)
Black0.4%(95)
Hispanic / Latino9.5%(2,153)
Asian0.2%(37)
Other4.5%(1,036)
Diversity Score32.4%(7,383)
Diversity Score
32
+136%since 2000
from 14 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.2%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 16.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.0%
+10.1 ptssince 2000
from 81.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.6 min
+76%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.8%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 83.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.9%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−5.1 ptssince 2011
from 10.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.3%
−7.5 ptssince 2011
from 72.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
25.3%
−35.3 ptssince 2009
from 60.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.3%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Female
54.7%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Foreign born
3.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.8%
−37.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.9%
+4.1 ptssince 2012
from 9.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.7%
−87.2 ptssince 2013
from 92.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.8%
+12.8 ptssince 2017
from 77.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 93.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.8%
+1.5 ptssince 2016
from 4.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Watertown to nearby cities

WATERTOWN VS
Oconomowoc
Income$106,425+52%
Home value$394,500+78%
Population20,119−11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Fort Atkinson
Income$79,302+13%
Home value$211,800−5%
Population12,388−45%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Hartford
Income$82,014+17%
Home value$297,100+34%
Population16,005−30%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Beaver Dam
Income$66,673−5%
Home value$201,900−9%
Population16,542−27%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Watertown, Wisconsin?

Watertown, Wisconsin has about 22,774 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Watertown, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Watertown, Wisconsin earns about $70,107 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Watertown, Wisconsin expensive?

In Watertown, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $222,100, and the typical rent is about $1,052 a month.

How educated are people in Watertown, Wisconsin?

About 18.2% of adults age 25 and over in Watertown, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Watertown, Wisconsin?

About 9.9% of people in Watertown, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Watertown, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Watertown, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,632 residents, a change of about 19 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Watertown, Wisconsin: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy