City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Watertown, SD

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

22,859
Residents
$62,721
Median income
$212,300
Median home
$1,083
Median rent (state)

Watertown - the verdict

Watertown ranks in the 39th percentile for household income and the 51st percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

39th
percentile, household income
46th
percentile, home value
27th
percentile, median rent
51st
percentile, safety
📝 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: Watertown, SD

22,859 people live in Watertown, South Dakota - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Watertown brings in $62,721 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.5%. Watertown's housing stock carries a median value of $212,300, and the median resident age is 39.4 years. About 21.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 66.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 142 residential building permits were authorized in Watertown (Building Boom), up 112% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Watertown reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1328.1 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Watertown's yearly average temperature at 43.7°F with 24.6 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in South Dakota run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, South Dakota scores 88.6 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,083 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Dakota's average monthly utility costs around $200 (state average). The average commute for Watertown workers runs 13.0 minutes, with 84.2% driving alone and 5.4% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 61.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

22,859 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$62,721 /yr

Poverty 6.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Watertown compare to other US cities?

Watertown measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 39% higher than other cities
Home value 46% pricier than other cities
Median rent 27% pricier than other cities
Safety 51% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at South Dakota, Watertown ranks #18 of 34 South Dakota cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Watertown's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in South Dakota, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

39thIncome percentile
51stSafety percentile

39th percentile nationally for median household income · 51st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Watertown's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Watertown's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 51 Avg. percentile National median
Watertown's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Watertown's home value compares nationally

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

$212,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 54% 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%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Watertown $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 - Watertown, SD Watertown, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Watertown, SD-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 Watertown, SD median $62,721/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%
Watertown, SD'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 Watertown, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.0%

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

Population
22,859
Median Income
$62,721
Median Home Value
$212,300
Median Age
39.4
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Labor force participation
66.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1328.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
303.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1024.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
43.7°F
Annual Precipitation
24.6"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
9
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
22,500 residents23,000 residents23,500 residents24,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 22,676 residents 23,736 residents ▲ +4.7%
Watertown's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
142
housing units authorized
Single-Family
63
detached homes
Multifamily
79
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 67
2020 80
2021 236
2022 123
2023 118
2024 142

Permit volume increased 112% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
13.0 minutes
Drive Alone
84.2%
Carpool
7.2%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
5.4%
Other
1.6%

Based on 12,045 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for South Dakota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$65
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$200
estimated/month

Estimates reflect South Dakota 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 South Dakota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Watertown sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.6
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,083/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
61.8 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Brookings
23,710 people
Aberdeen
28,297 people
Mitchell
15,637 people
Yankton
15,501 people
Huron
14,347 people
Pierre
14,008 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Watertown's 22,859 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Winchester, MA
22,862 people
Garden City, NY
22,866 people
Corinth, TX
22,868 people
Calabasas, CA
22,869 people
Leesylvania, VA
22,848 people
Coralville, IA
22,846 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Watertown's $62,721 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Abilene, TX
$62,720 median income
Belle Plaine, KS
$62,727 median income
Hildale, UT
$62,727 median income
Madison Heights, VA
$62,727 median income
Pulaski, NY
$62,733 median income
Lakeview, AR
$62,708 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Watertown, SD 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 Watertown, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.4% White 90.3% Black or African American 1.2% Asian 0.6% American Indian 2.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 4.7% 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 Watertown compares to nearby South Dakota cities

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

City Population Median Household Income
Watertown (this city) 22,859 $62,721
Brookings 23,710 $61,979
Aberdeen 28,297 $63,715
Mitchell 15,637 $56,374
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Watertown, SD?

What is the population of Watertown, SD? +

Watertown, SD counts 22,859 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Watertown, SD? +

Watertown households earn a median of $62,721 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Watertown? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Watertown; the closest available measure is the South Dakota state average, a cost of living index of 88.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within South Dakota vary by metro area.

Is Watertown, SD safe? +

Watertown has a total crime rate of 1328.1 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Watertown, SD? +

The median home value in Watertown is $212,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Watertown? +

Watertown has an average annual temperature of 43.7°F, 24.6 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, 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 Editorial

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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.