Watertown city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Watertown city, South Dakota has a total population of 22,859, the 5th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $62,721, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Watertown city is the 5th largest city in South Dakota with a population of 22,859.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Watertown city Quick Facts
How Watertown 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: 33 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Watertown city Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Codington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence town | 289 | $69,531 | 11.3% | $137,500 |
| Henry town | 246 | $27,254 | 3.7% | $85,100 |
| South Shore town | 232 | $56,667 | 26.3% | $82,800 |
| Kranzburg town | 174 | $60,625 | 10.3% | $123,300 |
| Wallace town | 67 | $53,750 | 3.0% | $85,600 |
Cities Similar to Watertown city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings city | 23,710 | $61,979 | $243,600 | 49.7% | 16.1% |
| Aberdeen city | 28,297 | $63,715 | $205,500 | 33.6% | 12.9% |
| Mitchell city | 15,637 | $56,374 | $182,000 | 25.7% | 14.1% |
| Yankton city | 15,501 | $69,071 | $202,300 | 30.2% | 10.9% |
| Huron city | 14,347 | $51,556 | $164,700 | 27.0% | 16.4% |
Population Overview
Watertown city is a small city located in South Dakota, within Codington County. The total population is 22,859. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watertown city is 39.4 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Watertown city is $62,721. This is 13% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 20% lower. The poverty rate stands at 10.7%. This is 11% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $212,300. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $236,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 62.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Watertown city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.2%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
21.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watertown city, South Dakota 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 South Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Watertown city, South Dakota?
Watertown city, South Dakota has a population of 22,859 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watertown city, SD?
The median household income in Watertown city is $62,721, which is 20% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Watertown city, SD?
The poverty rate in Watertown city is 10.7%. This means approximately 2,404 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watertown city, South Dakota?
Watertown city's population is 89.9% White, 0.9% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watertown city, SD?
The median home value in Watertown city is $212,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Watertown city, South Dakota?
21.2% of adults (25+) in Watertown city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.