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MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2020 ACS

Watertown Micro

Watertown, SD · 1 counties · 28,325 residents · 687.585 sq mi
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The short version

Watertown has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $57,885. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% 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 $182,400.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 51%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
28,325
+9%since 2000
from 25,897 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
41 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 38 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.1
+11%since 2000
from 35.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
22K24K26K28K29K1990201020202024Watertown
202429K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,885
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,257 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,157
+61%since 2000
from $18,761 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
35.7%
+14.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
13.2%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade15.8%
US avg: 10%
Information15.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction5.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services5.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance4.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$182,400
+51%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$756
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $401 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
66.6%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 70.2% in 2000
33.4% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+42%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Watertown on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.3%(24,948)
Black0.1%(32)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(274)
Asian0.3%(72)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.7%(955)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.2%(25,841)
Black0.4%(109)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(739)
Asian0.7%(197)
Other4.1%(1,170)
Diversity Score18.6%(5,281)
Segregation Score20.4%(5,792)
Diversity Score
19
+406%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
20
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.0%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 18.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.5%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 85.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.1%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.4 min
+41%since 2000
from 10.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.5%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.6%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 4.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.4%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 72.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.4%
−31.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
50.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
2.2%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.2%
−83.3 ptssince 2013
from 90.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
In this metro

Principal cities

WatertownCENTRAL23,736
What's inside

1 component county

Codington CountyCENTRAL29,562
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Watertown

Fort Morgan
Pop 30,306
Cody
Pop 31,171
Albert Lea
Pop 30,440
Big Spring
Pop 30,504
Places similar to Watertown
Head to head

Compare Watertown side by side

WATERTOWN VS
Fort Morgan
Income$73,278+27%
Home value$338,600+86%
Population30,306+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Cody
Income$73,035+26%
Home value$400,500+120%
Population31,171+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Albert Lea
Income$71,023+23%
Home value$171,100−6%
Population30,440+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATERTOWN VS
Big Spring
Income$69,649+20%
Home value$155,600−15%
Population30,504+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Watertown, SD?

Watertown, SD has about 28,325 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Watertown, SD?

The typical household in Watertown, SD earns about $57,885 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Watertown, SD expensive?

In Watertown, SD, the median home is worth about $182,400, and the typical rent is about $756 a month.

How educated are people in Watertown, SD?

About 20.0% of adults age 25 and over in Watertown, SD hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Watertown, SD?

About 13.2% of people in Watertown, SD live below the federal poverty line.

Has Watertown, SD grown since 1990?

Yes, Watertown, SD has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,627 residents, a change of about 25 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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