Watertown, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watertown, South Dakota had a total population of 23,044, the 5th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $69,600, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Watertown is the 5th largest city in South Dakota with a population of 23,044.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Watertown Quick Facts
How Watertown 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 | 22,859 | 23,044 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $62,721 | $69,600 | +11.0% |
| Median home value | $212,300 | $229,400 | +8.1% |
How Watertown 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: 35 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Watertown Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Codington County
Cities Similar to Watertown
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings | 23,948 | $63,493 | $265,500 | 47.5% | 16.9% |
| Aberdeen | 28,189 | $64,405 | $217,300 | 35.0% | 13.8% |
| Yankton | 15,540 | $67,804 | $222,700 | 33.2% | 14.1% |
| Mitchell | 15,649 | $58,620 | $192,200 | 23.6% | 12.5% |
| Huron | 14,385 | $61,452 | $159,000 | 27.0% | 16.1% |
Population Overview
Watertown is a small city located in South Dakota, within Codington County. The total population is 23,044. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watertown is 39.5 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Watertown is $69,600. This is 7% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.0%. This is 24% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $229,400. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 65.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Watertown has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.1%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
21.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watertown, South Dakota 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 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. 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 Watertown, South Dakota?
Watertown, South Dakota has a population of 23,044 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watertown, SD?
The median household income in Watertown is $69,600, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Watertown, SD?
The poverty rate in Watertown is 9.0%. This means approximately 2,045 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watertown, South Dakota?
Watertown's population is 89.9% White, 0.8% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watertown, SD?
The median home value in Watertown is $229,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Watertown, South Dakota?
21.6% of adults (25+) in Watertown hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.