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Watertown, South Dakota

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Current weather forecast for Watertown, SD

Population in 2021: 22,722 (98% urban, 2% rural).
Population change since 2000: +12.3%
 
Males: 11,392  (50.1%)
Females: 11,330  (49.9%)
Median resident age:

38.7 years
South Dakota median age:

37.6 years

Zip codes: 57201.

Estimated median household income in 2021: $58,486 (it was $34,348 in 2000)
Watertown:

$58,486
SD:

$66,143

Estimated per capita income in 2021: $34,168 (it was $18,994 in 2000)

Watertown city income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2021: $204,795 (it was $80,600 in 2000)
Watertown:

$204,795
SD:

$219,900

Mean prices in 2021: all housing units: $232,270; detached houses: $244,173; townhouses or other attached units: $257,201; in 2-unit structures: $123,793; in 3-to-4-unit structures: $155,311; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $138,241; mobile homes: $53,768

Median gross rent in 2021: $843.

March 2022 cost of living index in Watertown: 79.9 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2021: 13.2%
(11.0% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 51.0% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 51.7% for American Indian residents, 25.6% for two or more races residents)

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  • Races in Watertown, SD (2021)
    • 20,34988.8%White alone
    • 8213.6%Hispanic
    • 5642.5%Two or more races
    • 5542.4%American Indian alone
    • 2691.2%Other race alone
    • 2231.0%Black alone
    • 1800.8%Asian alone

Races in Watertown detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth



According to our research of South Dakota and other state lists, there were 71 registered sex offenders living in Watertown, South Dakota as of December 11, 2023.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Watertown is 315 to 1.
The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is lower than the state average.


Crime rates in Watertown by year

Type

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020
Murders
(per 100,000)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		1
(4.9)		0
(0.0)		1
(4.6)		0
(0.0)		1
(4.6)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		1
(4.5)		0
(0.0)		1
(4.5)		1
(4.5)
Rapes
(per 100,000)		8
(38.9)		18
(87.5)		17
(82.9)		21
(97.8)		15
(69.0)		13
(59.4)		16
(73.1)		14
(63.3)		18
(81.1)		13
(58.6)		20
(89.8)		18
(80.6)		20
(90.0)		15
(67.4)
Robberies
(per 100,000)		2
(9.7)		0
(0.0)		4
(19.5)		1
(4.7)		3
(13.8)		2
(9.1)		3
(13.7)		2
(9.0)		4
(18.0)		8
(36.1)		4
(18.0)		4
(17.9)		3
(13.5)		2
(9.0)
Assaults
(per 100,000)		27
(131.3)		18
(87.5)		28
(136.5)		40
(186.2)		48
(220.8)		47
(214.6)		41
(187.2)		42
(189.9)		63
(283.8)		68
(306.5)		56
(251.3)		45
(201.6)		43
(193.4)		38
(170.8)
Burglaries
(per 100,000)		76
(369.5)		71
(345.2)		76
(370.5)		88
(409.6)		84
(386.3)		112
(511.4)		108
(493.2)		92
(416.0)		67
(301.9)		73
(329.0)		86
(385.9)		54
(241.9)		58
(260.9)		62
(278.7)
Thefts
(per 100,000)		509
(2,475)		464
(2,256)		413
(2,013)		478
(2,225)		418
(1,922)		388
(1,772)		444
(2,027)		377
(1,704)		529
(2,383)		489
(2,204)		342
(1,535)		309
(1,384)		292
(1,313)		320
(1,438)
Auto thefts
(per 100,000)		32
(155.6)		46
(223.7)		30
(146.2)		36
(167.6)		37
(170.2)		25
(114.1)		30
(137.0)		22
(99.5)		27
(121.6)		34
(153.2)		16
(71.8)		19
(85.1)		17
(76.5)		30
(134.8)
Arson
(per 100,000)		1
(4.9)		8
(38.9)		3
(14.6)		1
(4.7)		2
(9.2)		2
(9.1)		1
(4.6)		3
(13.6)		0
(0.0)		2
(9.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		2
(9.0)
City-Data.com crime index197.6219.8227.3247.9230.2208.9235.7196.6253.3242.5230.6189.3200.6187.6

The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 254.8. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities.

Click on a table row to update graph
City-data.com crime index in Watertown, SD

Crime rate in Watertown detailed stats: murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, arson

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2021, including police officers: 58 (40 officers - 37 male; 3 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

1.79
South Dakota average:

2.20
Recent articles from our blog. Our writers, many of them Ph.D. graduates or candidates, create easy-to-read articles on a wide variety of topics.
Watertown, SD forum
Recent posts about Watertown, South Dakota on our local forum with over 2,400,000 registered users. Watertown is mentioned 381 times on our forum:
Thinking of moving to SD; Aberdeen or Watertown?  (10 replies)
Aberdeen vs Watertown  (5 replies)
Gay Family Considering a Relocation to Rapid City in 2020  (82 replies)
Best place to be gay in SD?  (8 replies)
Lesbian couple moving to South Dakota  (12 replies)
Considering a move from California to Sioux Falls-thoughts please  (24 replies)

Latest news from Watertown, SD collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: German (40.5%), Norwegian (13.9%), American (8.3%), English (5.3%), Irish (2.4%), Swedish (1.6%).

Current Local Time: CST time zone

Incorporated on 3/11/1885

Elevation: 1739 feet

Land area: 15.2 square miles.

Population density: 1,492 people per square mile   (low).

Watertown, South Dakota map

560 residents are foreign born (1.3% Latin America, 0.6% Africa, 0.3% Asia).

This city:

2.4%
South Dakota:

3.8%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2021: $2,184 (1.0%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2021: $2,005 (1.1%)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Sioux Falls, SD (96.5 miles , pop. 123,975).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Minneapolis, MN (188.7 miles , pop. 382,618).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Chicago, IL (519.4 miles , pop. 2,896,016).

Nearest cities:

Waverly, SD (3.1 miles),
Kranzburg, SD (3.2 miles),
Castlewood, SD (3.6 miles ),
Goodwin, SD (3.7 miles),
Florence, SD (3.8 miles ),
Hazel, SD (4.0 miles),
South Shore, SD (4.1 miles ),
Henry, SD (4.1 miles )

Latitude: 44.90 N, Longitude: 97.12 W

Daytime population change due to commuting: +2,075 (+9.1%)
Workers who live and work in this city: 10,717 (87.9%)

Area code: 605

Distribution of median household income in Watertown, SD in 2021
Distribution of house value in Watertown, SD in 2021
Watertown satellite photo by USGS

Watertown tourist attractions:

Single-family new house construction building permits:

  • 2021: 38 buildings, average cost: $205,600
  • 2020: 44 buildings, average cost: $200,200
  • 2019: 39 buildings, average cost: $145,800
  • 2018: 38 buildings, average cost: $195,600
  • 2017: 50 buildings, average cost: $153,600
  • 2016: 39 buildings, average cost: $157,100
  • 2015: 55 buildings, average cost: $186,300
  • 2014: 51 buildings, average cost: $142,100
  • 2013: 91 buildings, average cost: $124,900
  • 2012: 56 buildings, average cost: $155,300
  • 2011: 35 buildings, average cost: $181,700
  • 2010: 38 buildings, average cost: $139,000
  • 2009: 54 buildings, average cost: $118,100
  • 2008: 42 buildings, average cost: $125,600
  • 2007: 94 buildings, average cost: $122,100
  • 2006: 81 buildings, average cost: $137,400
  • 2005: 106 buildings, average cost: $139,600
  • 2004: 102 buildings, average cost: $133,600
  • 2003: 119 buildings, average cost: $137,900
  • 2002: 101 buildings, average cost: $129,200
  • 2001: 72 buildings, average cost: $115,100
  • 2000: 74 buildings, average cost: $101,600
  • 1999: 78 buildings, average cost: $90,300
  • 1998: 67 buildings, average cost: $82,100
  • 1997: 72 buildings, average cost: $88,700
Number of permits per 10,000 Watertown, SD residents
Average permit cost in Watertown, SD
Unemployment in November 2020:
Here:

1.7%
South Dakota:

1.8%
Historical population in Watertown, SD
Historical housing units in Watertown, SD

Population change in the 1990s: +2,373 (+13.3%).
Most common industries in Watertown, SD (%)
Both Males Females
Most common industries in 2000
  • Health care (8.5%)
  • Educational services (8.2%)
  • Accommodation & food services (6.1%)
  • Finance & insurance (4.9%)
  • Construction (4.7%)
  • Computer & electronic products (3.4%)
  • Department & other general merchandise stores (3.3%)
Most common industries for males in 2000
  • Construction (8.3%)
  • Machinery (5.2%)
  • Educational services (5.1%)
  • Metal & metal products (4.9%)
  • Repair & maintenance (4.5%)
  • Accommodation & food services (4.5%)
  • Health care (3.8%)
Most common industries for females in 2000
  • Health care (13.7%)
  • Educational services (11.6%)
  • Accommodation & food services (7.8%)
  • Finance & insurance (6.7%)
  • Computer & electronic products (4.9%)
  • Department & other general merchandise stores (4.8%)
  • Social assistance (4.2%)
Most common occupations in Watertown, SD (%)
Both Males Females
Most common occupations in 2000
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (6.5%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.0%)
  • Retail sales workers, except cashiers (3.9%)
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (3.8%)
  • Assemblers and fabricators (3.7%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (3.3%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (3.2%)
Most common occupations for males in 2000
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (8.5%)
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (6.6%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (5.7%)
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (5.3%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.5%)
  • Laborers and material movers, hand (4.2%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (3.5%)
Most common occupations for females in 2000
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (5.2%)
  • Retail sales workers, except cashiers (5.0%)
  • Cashiers (4.8%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (4.7%)
  • Assemblers and fabricators (4.5%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (4.3%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (4.0%)

Average climate in Watertown, South Dakota

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Watertown, South Dakota average temperatures Watertown, South Dakota average precipitation Watertown, South Dakota humidity Watertown, South Dakota wind speed Watertown, South Dakota snowfall Watertown, South Dakota sunshine Watertown, South Dakota clear and cloudy days

Watertown, South Dakota environmental map by EPA

Map Legend

Air pollution and air quality trends
(lower is better)
AQI PM10 PM2.5
Air Quality Index

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 65.7. This is about average.

City:

65.7
U.S.:

74.2
Particulate Matter Level

Particulate Matter (PM10) [µg/m3] level in 2018 was 23.2. This is about average. Closest monitor was 0.5 miles away from the city center.

City:

23.2
U.S.:

19.6
Particulate Matter Level

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) [µg/m3] level in 2018 was 7.76. This is about average. Closest monitor was 0.5 miles away from the city center.

City:

7.76
U.S.:

8.46

Tornado activity:

Watertown-area historical tornado activity is near South Dakota state average. It is 7% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 7/18/1983, a category F3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado 2.4 miles away from the Watertown city center caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.

On 5/12/1984, a category F3 tornado 9.6 miles away from the city center caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Watertown-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above South Dakota state average. It is 7% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 7/9/1975 at 14:54:15, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 74.6 miles away from Watertown center
On 3/4/1983 at 06:32:18, a magnitude 4.6 (4.4 MB, 4.6 LG, 4.4 ML) earthquake occurred 122.5 miles away from Watertown center
On 8/18/1959 at 06:37:13, a magnitude 7.7 (7.7 UK, Class: Major, Intensity: VIII - XII) earthquake occurred 664.7 miles away from Watertown center, causing $26,000,000 total damage
On 6/5/1993 at 01:24:53, a magnitude 4.1 (4.1 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 66.8 miles away from the city center
On 11/3/2002 at 20:41:56, a magnitude 4.3 (4.3 MB, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 172.2 miles away from the city center
On 10/25/1990 at 06:25:25, a magnitude 3.9 (3.6 MB, 3.9 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 101.8 miles away from Watertown center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Codington County (20) is greater than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 15
Emergencies Declared: 2

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 12, Storms: 9, Tornadoes: 4, Winter Storms: 4, Blizzard: 1, Drought: 1, Hurricane: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Watertown topographic map

Hospitals and medical centers in Watertown:

  • PRAIRIE LAKES HOSPITAL (Voluntary non-profit - Private, 401 9TH AVENUE NW POST OFFICE BOX 1210)
  • GOLDEN LIVINGCENTER - WATERTOWN (415 FOURTH AVE NE)
  • JENKINS LIVING CENTER (215 SOUTH MAPLE STREET)
  • PRAIRIE LAKES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM (401 - 9TH AVE NW)

Airports and heliports located in Watertown:

See details about Airports and heliports located in Watertown, SD

College/University in Watertown:

  • Lake Area Technical Institute (Full-time enrollment: 1,795; Location: 1201 Arrow Avenue; Public; Website: www.lakeareatech.edu)

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Watertown:

  • South Dakota State University (about 44 miles; Brookings, SD; Full-time enrollment: 10,392)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University (about 74 miles; Marshall, MN; FT enrollment: 3,711)
  • Northern State University (about 77 miles; Aberdeen, SD; FT enrollment: 2,203)
  • Minnesota West Community and Technical College (about 77 miles; Granite Falls, MN; FT enrollment: 2,225)
  • Southeast Technical Institute (about 94 miles; Sioux Falls, SD; FT enrollment: 2,386)
  • North Dakota State College of Science (about 99 miles; Wahpeton, ND; FT enrollment: 2,318)
  • Ridgewater College (about 102 miles; Willmar, MN; FT enrollment: 3,288)

Public high schools in Watertown:

  • WATERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL - 01 (Students: 1,251, Location: 200 NE 9TH ST, Grades: 9-12)
  • NORTHEAST TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL - 01 (Location: 1311 3RD AVE NE, Grades: 9-12)

Private high school in Watertown:

  • GREAT PLAINS LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 107, Location: 1200 LUTHER LN NE, Grades: 9-12)

Public elementary/middle schools in Watertown:

Private elementary/middle schools in Watertown:

  • IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL (Students: 215, Location: 109 3RD ST SE, Grades: PK-6)
  • ST MARTINS LUTHERAN SCHOOL (Students: 133, Location: 1200 2ND ST NE, Grades: PK-8)
  • WATERTOWN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 99, Location: 15 12TH AVE NE, Grades: PK-8)
  • TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (Students: 5, Location: 1800 E KEMP STE 2, Grades: 2-8)
See full list of schools located in Watertown

Libraries in Watertown:

  • WATERTOWN REGIONAL LIBRARY (Operating income: $863,804; Location: 160 6TH ST NE; 87,066 books; 9,518 e-books; 5,568 audio materials; 5,520 video materials; 3 local licensed databases; 24 state licensed databases; 19 other licensed databases; 198 print serial subscriptions)
  • HAMLIN CODINGTON REGIONAL LIBRARY (Operating income: $89,132; Location: 912 8TH ST SE; 20,735 books; 550 audio materials; 920 video materials; 24 state licensed databases; 1 print serial subscriptions)

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear city borders

Notable locations in Watertown: Watertown Country Club (A), Camp Watymca (B), Watertown Fire and Rescue (C), Watertown City Hall (D), Lake County Township Hall (E), Watertown Regional Library (F), Codington County Courthouse (G). Display/hide their locations on the map

Shopping Centers: Miracle Mall (1), Watertown Mall (2). Display/hide their locations on the map

Church in Watertown: Mother of God Monastery (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Cemeteries: Mount Hope Cemetery (1), Mother of God Monastery Cemetery (2), Saint Marys Cemetery (3). Display/hide their locations on the map

Lake: Lake Kampeska (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Creek: Willow Creek (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Parks in Watertown include: Rockys Park (1), Lynwood State Public Access Area (2), Jackson Park (3), Bramble Park (4), Belmont Park (5), Riverside Park (6), Highland Park (7), Sandy Shore State Park (8). Display/hide their locations on the map

Tourist attractions: Codington County Historical Society (Museums; 27 1st Avenue Southeast) (1), Mellette House (Museums; 421 5th Avenue Northwest) (2), Dial-A-Story (Cultural Attractions- Events- & Facilities; 611 Bruhn Avenue Northeast) (3), Lake Area Zoological Society (Cultural Attractions- Events- & Facilities; Bramble Park) (4), Watertown City - Bramble Park Zoo (Cultural Attractions- Events- & Facilities; 23 2nd Street Northeast) (5), Electric Rainbow (Amusement & Theme Parks; 1300 9th Avenue Southeast) (6), Tun-O-Fun Inc (Amusement & Theme Parks; 115 9th Avenue Southeast) (7), Glacial Lakes & Prairies Tourism Association (1200 Mickelson Drive) (8). Display/hide their approximate locations on the map

Hotels: Days Inn (2900 9th Avenue Southeast) (1), Watertown-Days Inn (2900 9th Ave SE) (2), Pimikan Room (1901 9th Avenue Southeast) (3), Watertown Event Center (1901 9th Avenue Southeast) (4), Budget One Motel (309 8th Avenue Southeast) (5), Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (3900 9th Ave Se) (6), Travelers Inn Motel (920 14th Street Southeast) (7), Ol' Style Saloon & Restaurant (101 North Broadway) (8), Best Western Ramkota Hotel (1901 9th Avenue Southeast) (9). Display/hide their approximate locations on the map

Courts: South Dakota State - Circuit Court (Courthouse) (1), South Dakota State - Clerk Of Courts- Circuit Court (Courthouse) (2), South Dakota State - Court Services (Courthouse) (3). Display/hide their approximate locations on the map

Birthplace of: Kristi Noem - South Dakota politician, Bruce Cordell - Science fiction writer, Hope A. Olson - Information studies scholar, John Hamre - Political scientist, George R. Mather - Recipient of the Purple Heart medal, Bob Scholtz - Football player, Mike Courey - Football player, Timmy Williams - Actor.

Codington County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Watertown and their reported violations in the past:

PELICAN PLAZA (Population served: 100, Groundwater):
Past monitoring violations:
  • Monitoring, Repeat Major (TCR) - In OCT-2009, Contaminant: Coliform (TCR). Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (OCT-27-2009), St Public Notif received (NOV-02-2009), St Compliance achieved (JUN-01-2010)
  • One routine major monitoring violation
  • One minor monitoring violation
  • 2 regular monitoring violations

Drinking water stations with addresses in Watertown that have no violations reported:

  • WATERTOWN MUNICIPAL UTILITIES (Population served: 21,482, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • SIOUX RURAL WATER SYSTEM (Population served: 4,000, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • SIOUX RURAL WATER SYSTEM (Population served: 4,000, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • SIOUX RURAL WATER SYSTEM (Population served: 4,000, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
  • SIOUX RURAL WATER SYSTEM (Population served: 4,000, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
Average household size:
This city:

2.3 people
South Dakota:

2.4 people

Percentage of family households:
This city:

60.0%
Whole state:

64.2%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This city:

7.2%
Whole state:

6.5%


Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
  • Lesbian couples: 0.2% of all households
  • Gay men: 0.1% of all households

People in group quarters in Watertown in 2010:

  • 203 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
  • 57 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
  • 41 people in other noninstitutional facilities
  • 38 people in group homes intended for adults
  • 17 people in workers' group living quarters and job corps centers
  • 15 people in residential treatment centers for adults

People in group quarters in Watertown in 2000:

  • 149 people in other group homes
  • 58 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
  • 44 people in nursing homes
  • 42 people in other types of correctional institutions
  • 34 people in homes for the mentally retarded
  • 27 people in other workers' dormitories
  • 13 people in homes for the physically handicapped
  • 9 people in schools, hospitals, or wards for the intellectually disabled

Banks with most branches in Watertown (2011 data):

  • Great Western Bank: at 35 1st Avenue, N.E., Watertown Branch, Watertown Wal-Mart. Info updated 2010/06/08: Bank assets: $8,458.0 mil, Deposits: $6,362.5 mil, local headquarters, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 187 total offices, Holding Company: National Australia Bank Limited
  • First PREMIER Bank: Watertown Branch, Watertown 212 Branch, Watertown I29 Branch. Info updated 2006/11/03: Bank assets: $1,119.4 mil, Deposits: $885.2 mil, headquarters in Sioux Falls, SD, positive income, 17 total offices, Holding Company: United National Corporation
  • Plains Commerce Bank: Watertown South Branch at 920 Fifth Street S.E., branch established on 2003/09/10; Watertown Branch at 109 First Avenue Southeast, branch established on 1934/12/24. Info updated 2010/05/27: Bank assets: $414.8 mil, Deposits: $344.2 mil, headquarters in Hoven, SD, positive income, Agricultural Specialization, 6 total offices
  • Reliabank Dakota: Watertown Sw Branch at 830 10th Street, S.W., branch established on 2002/11/27; Watertown Branch at 1401 4th St Ne, branch established on 1997/01/29. Info updated 2011/01/10: Bank assets: $223.0 mil, Deposits: $193.2 mil, headquarters in Estelline, SD, positive income, Agricultural Specialization, 8 total offices, Holding Company: Big Sioux Financial, Inc.
  • Wells Fargo Bank, National Association: Watertown Branch at 20 North Maple Street, branch established on 1880/01/01; Watertown East 212 Branch at 1225 Ninth Avenue Southeast, branch established on 1979/09/13. Info updated 2011/04/05: Bank assets: $1,161,490.0 mil, Deposits: $905,653.0 mil, headquarters in Sioux Falls, SD, positive income, 6395 total offices, Holding Company: Wells Fargo & Company
  • Home Federal Bank: Watertown Office Branch at 1320 9th Avenue Se, branch established on 2000/01/28; Watertown Main at 25 19th Street Ne, branch established on 2002/04/22. Info updated 2011/07/21: Bank assets: $1,224.2 mil, Deposits: $946.5 mil, headquarters in Sioux Falls, SD, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 34 total offices
  • First Bank & Trust: Watertown Branch at 1120 9th Avenue Se, branch established on 2002/04/24. Info updated 2009/09/11: Bank assets: $435.9 mil, Deposits: $360.4 mil, headquarters in Sioux Falls, SD, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 6 total offices, Holding Company: Fishback Financial Corporation
  • Peoples State Bank: Convenience Corner Night Depository at 410th Street, N.W., branch established on 2003/04/28. Info updated 2006/11/03: Bank assets: $55.7 mil, Deposits: $46.6 mil, headquarters in Summit, SD, positive income, Agricultural Specialization, 3 total offices, Holding Company: Northeast Bancorp, Inc.
  • Dacotah Bank: Watertown Branch at 1310 9th Avenue Southeast, branch established on 1991/03/25. Info updated 2007/08/07: Bank assets: $1,902.6 mil, Deposits: $1,684.0 mil, headquarters in Aberdeen, SD, positive income, Agricultural Specialization, 32 total offices, Holding Company: Dacotah Banks, Inc.

For population 15 years and over in Watertown:

Marital status in Watertown, SD
  • Never married: 30.8%
  • Now married: 50.7%
  • Separated: 1.6%
  • Widowed: 7.3%
  • Divorced: 9.6%

For population 25 years and over in Watertown:

  • High school or higher: 90.1%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 21.0%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 6.6%
  • Unemployed: 3.9%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 12.7 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2021
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2021
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

10.8
South Dakota average:

10.2

Travel time (in minutes) to work in 2021
Means of transportation to work in 2021 - Watertown
Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Watertown, SD (based on Codington County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Mainline Protestant8,32712
Catholic6,8097
Evangelical Protestant4,78924
Other1862
None7,116-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 4
Codington County:

1.52 / 10,000 pop.
State:

2.84 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 1
This county:

0.38 / 10,000 pop.
South Dakota:

0.65 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 20
Codington County:

7.59 / 10,000 pop.
South Dakota:

6.68 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 28
This county:

10.63 / 10,000 pop.
South Dakota:

9.21 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Codington County:

6.5%
State:

7.7%
Adult obesity rate:
This county:

27.4%
South Dakota:

27.7%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
This county:

14.7%
South Dakota:

14.9%

Health and Nutrition:

Healthy diet rate:
Watertown:

47.4%
South Dakota:

51.4%

Average overall health of teeth and gums:
This city:

43.0%
South Dakota:

49.4%

Average BMI:
Here:

28.5
South Dakota:

28.5

People feeling badly about themselves:
Watertown:

21.4%
South Dakota:

20.6%

People not drinking alcohol at all:
Watertown:

10.0%
South Dakota:

9.7%

Average hours sleeping at night:
Watertown:

6.8
State:

6.9

Overweight people:
Watertown:

33.0%
South Dakota:

34.1%

General health condition:
Watertown:

54.1%
South Dakota:

58.1%

Average condition of hearing:
Watertown:

77.1%
South Dakota:

78.7%

More about Health and Nutrition of Watertown, SD Residents
Local government employment and payroll (March 2019)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Firefighters 38$203,443$64,2450$0
Police Protection - Officers 37$186,344$60,4360$0
Parks and Recreation 33$143,834$52,303147$61,816
Electric Power 29$181,530$75,1160$0
Streets and Highways 21$122,247$69,8553$972
Water Supply 18$97,674$65,1160$0
Other and Unallocable 17$64,713$45,6804$6,005
Solid Waste Management 16$64,709$48,5320$0
Gas Supply 15$99,020$79,2160$0
Sewerage 14$71,777$61,5230$0
Financial Administration 10$46,225$55,4702$935
Local Libraries 9$35,293$47,0577$4,644
Police - Other 6$22,459$44,9182$412
Airports 4$19,939$59,8171$1,698
Housing and Community Development (Local) 4$12,143$36,4291$567
Natural Resources 3$13,045$52,1801$1,434
Other Government Administration 2$10,138$60,82810$8,831
Judicial and Legal 1$6,894$82,7280$0
Fire - Other 1$4,374$52,4881$179
Totals for Government 278$1,405,801$60,682179$87,493

Watertown government finances - Expenditure in 2018 (per resident):

  • Construction - Regular Highways: $3,296,000 ($145.06)
    Sewerage: $2,878,000 ($126.66)
    Electric Utilities: $2,300,000 ($101.22)
    Police Protection: $1,211,000 ($53.30)
    Water Utilities: $991,000 ($43.61)
    General - Other: $888,000 ($39.08)
    Air Transportation: $653,000 ($28.74)
    Parks and Recreation: $643,000 ($28.30)
    Gas Utilities: $447,000 ($19.67)
  • Current Operations - Electric Utilities: $26,325,000 ($1158.57)
    Gas Utilities: $8,398,000 ($369.60)
    General - Other: $6,717,000 ($295.62)
    Parks and Recreation: $4,306,000 ($189.51)
    Police Protection: $3,946,000 ($173.66)
    Water Utilities: $3,012,000 ($132.56)
    Regular Highways: $2,549,000 ($112.18)
    Sewerage: $2,066,000 ($90.93)
    Housing and Community Development: $1,418,000 ($62.41)
    Local Fire Protection: $1,244,000 ($54.75)
    Libraries: $967,000 ($42.56)
    Financial Administration: $833,000 ($36.66)
    Air Transportation: $800,000 ($35.21)
    Solid Waste Management: $457,000 ($20.11)
    Central Staff Services: $307,000 ($13.51)
    Miscellaneous Commercial Activities - Other: $211,000 ($9.29)
    Health - Other: $80,000 ($3.52)
  • General - Interest on Debt: $390,000 ($17.16)
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $202,000 ($8.89)
  • Water Utilities - Interest on Debt: $446,000 ($19.63)

Watertown government finances - Revenue in 2018 (per resident):

  • Charges - Other: $4,524,000 ($199.10)
    Solid Waste Management: $3,123,000 ($137.44)
    Parks and Recreation: $2,950,000 ($129.83)
    Sewerage: $2,053,000 ($90.35)
    Housing and Community Development: $350,000 ($15.40)
    Regular Highways: $179,000 ($7.88)
    Air Transportation: $47,000 ($2.07)
  • Federal Intergovernmental - Housing and Community Development: $963,000 ($42.38)
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $369,000 ($16.24)
    Interest Earnings: $290,000 ($12.76)
    Special Assessments: $172,000 ($7.57)
    Rents: $146,000 ($6.43)
    Donations From Private Sources: $59,000 ($2.60)
    Fines and Forfeits: $50,000 ($2.20)
    Sale of Property: $1,000 ($0.04)
  • Revenue - Electric Utilities: $29,720,000 ($1307.98)
    Gas Utilities: $9,484,000 ($417.39)
    Water Utilities: $3,235,000 ($142.37)
  • State Intergovernmental - Other: $725,000 ($31.91)
    Highways: $450,000 ($19.80)
  • Tax - General Sales and Gross Receipts: $16,578,000 ($729.60)
    Property: $3,550,000 ($156.24)
    Other License: $351,000 ($15.45)
    Other: $341,000 ($15.01)
    Public Utilities Sales: $232,000 ($10.21)
    Amusements License: $4,000 ($0.18)

Watertown government finances - Debt in 2018 (per resident):

  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $62,035,000 ($2730.17)
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $62,035,000 ($2730.17)
    Beginning Outstanding - Public Debt for Private Purpose: $1,518,000 ($66.81)
    Outstanding Nonguaranteed - Industrial Revenue: $986,000 ($43.39)
    Retired Nonguaranteed - Public Debt for Private Purpose: $532,000 ($23.41)

Watertown government finances - Cash and Securities in 2020 (per resident):

  • Bond Funds - Cash and Securities: $11,281,000 ($496.48)
  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $49,525,000 ($2179.61)
  • Sinking Funds - Cash and Securities: $60,825,000 ($2676.92)
Businesses in Watertown, SD
NameCountNameCount
Advance Auto Parts1MasterBrand Cabinets6
Applebee's1Maurices1
Arby's1McDonald's2
Bath & Body Works1Menards1
Best Western1Nike4
Burger King1OfficeMax1
Caribou Coffee1Payless1
Carson Pirie Scott1Pizza Hut1
Chevrolet1Quality1
Curves1Quiznos1
Dairy Queen1RadioShack1
Days Inn1Rodeway Inn1
Domino's Pizza1SAS Shoes1
FedEx4Sears1
Ford1Slumberland1
GNC1Sprint Nextel1
H&R Block1Starbucks1
Hilton1Subway4
Holiday Inn1Super 81
IHOP1Target1
JCPenney1The Room Place1
Jimmy John's1Toyota1
Jones New York1U-Haul2
KFC1UPS5
La-Z-Boy1Vans1
Lane Furniture2Walmart1

Strongest AM radio stations in Watertown:

  • KWAT (950 AM; 1 kW; WATERTOWN, SD; Owner: SORENSON BROADCASTING CORP.)
  • KSDR (1480 AM; 1 kW; WATERTOWN, SD)
  • KMSD (1510 AM; 5 kW; MILBANK, SD; Owner: BIG STONE BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WCCO (830 AM; 50 kW; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: INFINITY MEDIA CORPORATION)
  • KLOH (1050 AM; 9 kW; PIPESTONE, MN; Owner: WALLACE CHRISTENSEN)
  • KXMR (710 AM; 50 kW; BISMARCK, ND; Owner: RADIO BISMARCK MANDAN, LLC)
  • KFAN (1130 AM; 50 kW; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.)
  • KKAA (1560 AM; 10 kW; ABERDEEN, SD; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WCTS (1030 AM; 50 kW; MAPLEWOOD, MN; Owner: CNTL. BAPT. THEO/AL SEMI MINNEAPOLIS)
  • WEBC (560 AM; 50 kW; DULUTH, MN)
  • KOKK (1210 AM; 5 kW; HURON, SD; Owner: DAKOTA COMMUNICATIONS, LTD.)
  • WWNL (1080 AM; 50 kW; PITTSBURGH, PA; Owner: STEEL CITY RADIO, INC.)
  • KXRB (1000 AM; 10 kW; SIOUX FALLS, SD)

Strongest FM radio stations in Watertown:

  • KSDR-FM (92.9 FM; WATERTOWN, SD; Owner: THREE EAGLES OF BROOKINGS, INC.)
  • KIXX (96.1 FM; WATERTOWN, SD; Owner: SORENSON BROADCASTING CORP.)
  • KJBB (89.1 FM; WATERTOWN, SD; Owner: CHURCH PLANTERS OF AMERICA)
  • KPHR (106.3 FM; ORTONVILLE, MN; Owner: BIG STONE BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • KDLO-FM (96.9 FM; WATERTOWN, SD; Owner: SORENSON BROADCASTING CORPORATION)
  • KKSD (104.3 FM; MILBANK, SD; Owner: SORENSON BROADCASTING CORPN.)
  • KCGN-FM (101.5 FM; ORTONVILLE, MN; Owner: CGN CORPORATION)
  • K211EC (90.1 FM; WATER TOWN, SD; Owner: FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER CHURCH, INC.)
  • KDBX (107.1 FM; CLEAR LAKE, SD; Owner: SORENSON BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

TV broadcast stations around Watertown:

  • K32DK (Channel 32; WATERTOWN, SD; Owner: INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • KDLO-TV (Channel 3; FLORENCE, SD; Owner: YOUNG BROADCASTING OF SIOUX FALLS, INC.)
  • K47IC (Channel 47; MILBANK, SD; Owner: RED RIVER BROADCAST CO., LLC)
  • KABY-TV (Channel 9; ABERDEEN, SD; Owner: ELCOM OF SOUTH DAKOTA, INC.)
Fatal accident count
See more detailed statistics of Watertown fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents for 1975 - 2021 here
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 45Number of bridges
  • 509ft / 155mTotal length
  • $17,620,000Total costs
  • 148,116Total average daily traffic
  • 17,118Total average daily truck traffic
New bridges in Watertown, SD - historical statistics
  • New bridges - historical statistics
  • 11920-1929
  • 31930-1939
  • 21940-1949
  • 11950-1959
  • 31960-1969
  • 211970-1979
  • 41980-1989
  • 31990-1999
  • 22000-2009
  • 52010-2019
See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Watertown, SD
FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers: 2 (See the full list of FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers in Watertown)
FCC Registered Antenna Towers: 296 (See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers)
FCC Registered Commercial Land Mobile Towers: 3 (See the full list of FCC Registered Commercial Land Mobile Towers in Watertown, SD)
FCC Registered Private Land Mobile Towers: 3 (See the full list of FCC Registered Private Land Mobile Towers)
FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers: 58 (See the full list of FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers)
FCC Registered Microwave Towers: 48 (See the full list of FCC Registered Microwave Towers in this town)
FCC Registered Paging Towers: 6 (See the full list of FCC Registered Paging Towers)
FCC Registered Maritime Coast & Aviation Ground Towers: 5 (See the full list of FCC Registered Maritime Coast & Aviation Ground Towers)
FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 135 (See the full list of FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Watertown)

FAA Registered Aircraft Manufacturers and Dealers: 1 (See the full list of FAA Registered Manufacturers and Dealers in Watertown)
FAA Registered Aircraft: 67 (See the full list of FAA Registered Aircraft)

2002 - 2018 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) incidents

    Fire incident distribution by year Based on the data from the years 2002 - 2018 the average number of fires per year is 44. The highest number of reported fires - 91 took place in 2014, and the least - 0 in 2005. The data has a rising trend.
    Fire incident types in Watertown, SD When looking into fire subcategories, the most reports belonged to: Outside Fires (37.7%), and Structure Fires (30.7%).

    • Fire incident types reported to NFIRS in Watertown, SD
    • 28237.7%Outside Fires
    • 23030.7%Structure Fires
    • 15320.5%Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires
    • 8311.1%Other
See full National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for Watertown, SD

Fire-safe hotels and motels in Watertown, South Dakota:

  • Travel Host Motel, 1714 9TH Ave SW, Watertown, South Dakota 57201 , Phone: (605) 886-6120
  • Quality Inn And Suites, 800 35TH St Cir, Watertown, South Dakota 57201 , Phone: (605) 886-3010, Fax: (605) 753-0449
  • Super 8 Motel Watertown, 503 14TH Ave SE, Watertown, South Dakota 57201 , Phone: (605) 882-1900, Fax: (605) 882-0734
  • Country Inn & Suites, 3400 8TH Ave SE, Watertown, South Dakota 57201 , Phone: (605) 886-8900, Fax: (605) 886-1013
  • Hampton Inn & Suites, 2720 9th Avenue SE, Watertown, South Dakota 57201 , Phone: (605) 878-1800
  • Super 8, 503 14th Ave SE, Watertown, South Dakota 57201 , Phone: (605) 882-1900
All 6 fire-safe hotels and motels in Watertown, South Dakota
Most common first names in Watertown, SD among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
John13276.7 years
Mary11281.8 years
William10777.2 years
Robert8474.2 years
George7578.6 years
Anna6987.7 years
James6872.1 years
Margaret6780.2 years
Helen6482.0 years
Charles6075.7 years
Most common last names in Watertown, SD among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Johnson12379.3 years
Anderson7475.3 years
Olson5078.3 years
Smith4280.4 years
Hanson3978.8 years
Larson3981.8 years
Nelson3880.7 years
Miller3780.6 years
Peterson3180.2 years
Mack3078.2 years
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Watertown, SD
  • 76.5%Utility gas
  • 20.2%Electricity
  • 2.3%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 0.5%No fuel used
  • 0.3%Wood
  • 0.2%Other fuel
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Watertown, SD
  • 64.1%Electricity
  • 31.7%Utility gas
  • 1.7%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 1.3%No fuel used
  • 0.9%Other fuel
  • 0.3%Wood


Watertown compared to South Dakota state average:

  • Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.
  • Black race population percentage below state average.
  • Median age significantly above state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.

Watertown on our top lists:

  • #68 on the list of "Top 100 high-educated but low-earning cities (pop. 5,000+)"
  • #13 (57201) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the most casinos in 2005"
  • #62 (57201) on the list of "Top 101 zip codes with the largest percentage of Norwegian first ancestries (pop 5,000+)"
  • #73 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Annual air pollution readings in 2012 (µg/m3)"
  • #74 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest Particulate Matter (PM10) Annual air pollution readings in 2012 (µg/m3)"
There are 39 pilots and 27 other airmen in this city.
Cost of Living Calculator
Top Patent Applicants
Top Patent Applicants
  • Brett D. Wendler (14)
  • Brett David Wendler (6)
  • Ryan M. Hansen (6)
  • Ryan Mark Hansen (3)
  • Keith W. Carlson (2)
  • Rod Redlin (2)
  • Angelo A. Polsinelli (2)
  • Les Robinson (2)
  • Danny A. Heaton (2)
  • Andrew Foley (1)

Total of 37 patent applications in 2008-2023.

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