City · South Dakota
Watertown, South Dakota
Watertown, city, in Codington County, South Dakota. Watertown had 23,736 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 22,655 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 23,044 (±23). GEOID 4669300.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
23,736
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 22,655 · ACS 2020-2024: 23,044 ±23
Median household income
$69,600
±$6,806 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$229,400
±$14,753 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$942
±$47 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
Where is Watertown and what county is it in?
Watertown is a city in Codington County, South Dakota. It covers 18.4 square miles of land, 1,229 residents per square mile in 2020.
Watertown is in the Watertown, SD micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Watertown, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 23,736 people lived in Watertown on July 1, 2025, up 4.8% since 2020, slower than South Dakota (+5.5%). The 2020 Census counted 22,655 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 23,044 (±23).
| Measure | Watertown | Codington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 23,044 ±23 | 28,767 | +878 |
| Households | 10,394 ±272 | 12,526 | +663 |
| Average household size | 2.17 ±0.06 | 2.25 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,110 ±177 | 13,533 | +603 |
Watertown's population since 2000
From 20,237 in 2000 to 23,736 in 2025: up 17.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Watertown as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Watertown?
The median resident of Watertown is 39.5 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 19.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.9%. 1.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Watertown | Codington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5 ±1.1 | 40.4 | +1.7 |
| Under 18 years | 21.9% ±0.9 pts | 23.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.8% ±0.7 pts | 19.6% | – |
| Male | 51.5% ±0.8 pts | 50.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.9% ±1.0 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.9% ±1.3 pts | 90.4% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.4 pts | 0.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 2.3% ±0.4 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9% ±0.7 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.3% ±0.6 pts | 1.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.6% ±1.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3% ±1.3 pts | 7.1% | – |
| With a disability | 10.6% ±1.7 pts | 10.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.0% ±1.6 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.3% ±1.2 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.6% ±2.9 pts | 21.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.1% ±1.7 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.7% ±2.6 pts | 89.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.3% ±1.0 pts | 2.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Watertown earn?
Half of Watertown's 10,394 households earn less than $69,600 a year (±$6,806), against $72,727 in Codington County and $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $62,730 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Watertown | Codington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,600 ±$6,806 | $72,727 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $87,533 ±$7,677 | $90,805 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,939 ±$3,158 | $39,825 | +$4,369 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.0% ±1.5 pts | 8.8% | −5.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 4.9% ±2.4 pts | 6.3% | −13.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.1% ±1.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.7% ±2.1 pts | 92.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.3% ±2.7 pts | 87.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Watertown?
Owners occupy 65.3% of Watertown's occupied homes and renters 34.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $229,400 by its owner (±$14,753). The median renter pays $942 a month including utilities, and 27.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Watertown | Codington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $229,400 ±$14,753 | $237,700 | +$19,567 |
| Median gross rent | $942 ±$47 | $938 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 27.9% ±5.3 pts | 28.4% | −12.0 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,463 ±$101 | $1,526 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.3% ±3.6 pts | 69.8% | +5.2 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 34.7% ±3.6 pts | 30.2% | – |
| Housing units | 11,110 ±177 | 13,533 | +603 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.0% ±3.0 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.3% ±3.9 pts | 69.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.6% ±1.8 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.8% ±1.0 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 11.4% ±2.3 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.5% ±2.8 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.3% ±1.8 pts | 5.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Watertown building?
Builders took permits for 133 new housing units in Watertown in 2025 (83 in single-family houses), 5.6 per 1,000 residents against 5.7 across South Dakota.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Watertown work and get to work?
83.8% of Watertown's workers drive alone and 4.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 12.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.8%.
| Measure | Watertown | Codington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.5% ±2.1 pts | 68.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.8% ±1.0 pts | 1.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 83.8% ±2.8 pts | 83.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.1% ±2.7 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6% ±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.1% ±0.7 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.8% ±1.4 pts | 5.6% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 12.6 min ±1.2 | 14.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Watertown?
6 census tracts lie mostly in Watertown, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $43,449 (Tract 9544.02) to $97,652 (Tract 9543.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9543.02Codington County | 5,865 | $97,652 |
| Tract 9543.01Codington County | 4,459 | $58,404 |
| Tract 9545.02Codington County | 4,747 | $86,765 |
| Tract 9544.02Codington County | 2,659 | $43,449 |
| Tract 9544.01Codington County | 2,610 | $72,996 |
| Tract 9545.01Codington County | 2,595 | $71,667 |
| Tract 9541Codington County | 3,508 | $90,347 |
| Tract 9546Codington County | 2,324 | $81,442 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Watertown) · Census block assignment files
How does Watertown compare with other places in South Dakota?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Watertown is the 1,675th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 5th-most populous of 310 in South Dakota.
Watertown ranks 45th of 82 places in South Dakota with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 5th | 310 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 20th | 73 |
| Residents per square mile | 32nd | 84 |
| Median household income | 45th | 82 |
| Per capita income | 34th | 83 |
| Median home value | 39th | 81 |
| Median gross rent | 28th | 72 |
| Poverty rate | 38th | 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 63rd | 81 |
| Median age | 41st | 83 |
| Owner-occupied share | 58th | 84 |
| Work from home | 38th | 44 |
| Travel time to work | 64th | 84 |
Watertown's figures with every place in South Dakota (CSV)
Every place in South Dakota, sortable · Compare Watertown with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Watertown?
5 of the 57 figures for Watertown on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Watertown are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Watertown.