Watson city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Watson city, Minnesota has a total population of 189, the 700th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $38,958, which is 56% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Watson city Quick Facts
How Watson city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Watson city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Chippewa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montevideo city | 5,303 | $65,724 | 19.3% | $137,600 |
| Clara City city | 1,497 | $58,431 | 9.8% | $116,500 |
| Milan city | 498 | $50,625 | 29.6% | $70,000 |
| Maynard city | 269 | $41,515 | 12.6% | $74,600 |
Cities Similar to Watson city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahnomen CDP | 191 | N/A | N/A | 8.2% | 60.9% |
| Northome city | 182 | N/A | $85,700 | 14.0% | 19.2% |
| Ruthton city | 180 | $40,000 | $54,100 | 11.2% | 20.8% |
| Hardwick city | 199 | $37,917 | $75,000 | 21.4% | 15.6% |
| Nett Lake CDP | 183 | $35,000 | N/A | 8.9% | 20.2% |
Population Overview
Watson city is a small community located in Minnesota, within Chippewa County. The total population is 189. It ranks as the 700th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watson city is 44.7 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Watson city is $38,958. This is 56% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 50% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.7%. This is 136% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $66,500. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $305,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Watson city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Watson city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.1% of the population. Asian residents account for 12.7%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (12.7% vs 5.0%).
Education
8.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% lower than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 77.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watson city, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 913 Census-designated places in Minnesota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Watson city, Minnesota?
Watson city, Minnesota has a population of 189 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watson city, MN?
The median household income in Watson city is $38,958, which is 50% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Watson city, MN?
The poverty rate in Watson city is 21.7%. This means approximately 41 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watson city, Minnesota?
Watson city's population is 83.1% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watson city, MN?
The median home value in Watson city is $66,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Watson city, Minnesota?
8.8% of adults (25+) in Watson city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.