City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Watson, MN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Watson - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

189
Residents
$38,958
Median income
$66,500
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Watson - the verdict

Nationally, Watson sits in the 7th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

7th
percentile, household income
2nd
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Watson, MN

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 189 residents in Watson, a small town within Minnesota. Watson households earn a median of $38,958 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 9.3%. Typical homes in Watson are valued around $66,500, and the median resident age is 44.7 years. 8.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 54.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Watson (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

Minnesota tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $973 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Minnesota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 37.0 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

189 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$38,958 /yr

Poverty 9.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Watson compare to other US cities?

Here's how Watson stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 7% higher than other cities
Home value 2% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Watson against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Minnesota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Minnesota-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Watson near the bottom of Minnesota's cities

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Watson ranks #531 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Watson only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#752 of 775
3rd percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#531 of 785
0th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#742 of 774
4th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#220 of 785
71st percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#708 of 784
10th percentile in Minnesota

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Minnesota only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

7thIncome percentile

7th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Watson's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$66,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 98% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Watson $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Watson, MN Watson, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Watson, MN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Watson, MN median $38,958/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Watson, MN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Watson, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 8.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
189
Median Income
$38,958
Median Home Value
$66,500
Median Age
44.7
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Labor force participation
54.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
8.8%

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
170 residents175 residents180 residents185 residents 202020212022202320242025 181 residents 174 residents ▼ -3.9%
Watson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.4%
Carpool
7.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
18.3%

Based on 82 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Minnesota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Minnesota state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Minnesota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Watson sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
37.0 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Dunnell
189 people
Homer
189 people
Hendrum
190 people
Porter
190 people
Magnolia
191 people
Sobieski
187 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Watson's 189 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cutter, AZ
189 people
Jakes Corner, AZ
189 people
Myers Flat, CA
189 people
Spreckels, CA
189 people
Westside, CA
189 people
Lake Lindsey, FL
189 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Watson's $38,958 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lamar Heights, MO
$38,958 median income
Baileyton, TN
$38,958 median income
Conetoe, NC
$38,955 median income
Trujillo Alto zona urbana, PR
$38,951 median income
Weed, CA
$38,966 median income
Millwood, PA
$38,966 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Watson, MN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Watson, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 83.1% 12.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.0% White 83.1% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 12.7% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 4.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Watson compares to nearby Minnesota cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Watson (this city) 189 $38,958
Dunnell 189 $29,408
Homer 189 $81,250
Hendrum 190 $53,472
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Watson, MN?

What is the population of Watson, MN? +

189 people live in Watson, MN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Watson, MN? +

In Watson, the typical household earns $38,958 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Watson? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Watson; the closest available measure is the Minnesota state average, a cost of living index of 98.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Minnesota vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Watson, MN? +

Homes in Watson carry a median value of $66,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.