Watson, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watson, Minnesota had a total population of 200, the 697th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $34,722, which is 61% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 61% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
Watson Quick Facts
How Watson Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189 | 200 | +5.8% |
| Median household income | $38,958 | $34,722 | -10.9% |
| Median home value | $66,500 | $68,400 | +2.9% |
How Watson Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Watson Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Chippewa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montevideo | 5,315 | $68,596 | 19.6% | $141,000 |
| Granite Falls | 2,685 | $59,375 | 7.6% | $136,700 |
| Clara City | 1,466 | $63,636 | 7.3% | $114,300 |
| Milan | 564 | $53,594 | 28.2% | $71,400 |
| Maynard | 234 | $41,563 | 12.4% | $80,000 |
Cities Similar to Watson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahnomen | 195 | N/A | N/A | 7.9% | 61.2% |
| Gonvick | 221 | $33,750 | $102,100 | 10.3% | 16.7% |
| Felton | 186 | $40,000 | $157,700 | 16.0% | 18.4% |
| Ruthton | 222 | $38,864 | $56,800 | 9.7% | 21.1% |
| Lucan | 220 | $40,000 | $137,500 | 33.8% | 18.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 200, Watson's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Watson is a small community located in Minnesota, within Chippewa County. The total population is 200. It ranks as the 697th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watson is 44.8 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Watson is $34,722. This is 61% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.0%. This is 255% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. 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 8.8%. This is 117% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $68,400. Housing costs are 79% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Watson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Watson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.5% of the population. Asian residents account for 17.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (17.0% vs 5.1%).
Education
12.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 39.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 74.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watson, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Watson, Minnesota?
Watson, Minnesota has a population of 200 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watson, MN?
The median household income in Watson is $34,722, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Watson, MN?
The poverty rate in Watson is 33.0%. This means approximately 66 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watson, Minnesota?
Watson's population is 76.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 17.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watson, MN?
The median home value in Watson is $68,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Watson, Minnesota?
12.3% of adults (25+) in Watson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.