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Watertown, SD
City in Codington County, South Dakota.
Population
23,044
Land area
18.4sq mi
People per sq mi
1,250
ZIP codes
0
Watertown and its ZIP codes
Watertown at a glance
- Watertown is about 104 times as dense as South Dakota as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 5th among 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
- The median household income is $69,600, 7% below the South Dakota median of $75,081.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $229,400 (11% below South Dakota) and median rent is $942 a month.
Local data for Watertown, SD
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes2
- Schools10
- Colleges1
- Libraries2
- Banks12
- Post Offices3
- Parks14
- Grocery Stores5
- Restaurants91
- Affordable Housing6
- Home Health Agencies1
- Hospice Care1
- Dialysis Centers1
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment2
- Private Schools3
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Toxic Release Facilities10
- Historic Places27
Housing and community stats
Watertown, SD, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$69,600
Poverty rate
9.0%
Median home value
$229,400
Median rent
$942/mo
Homeownership
65.3%
Bachelor's or higher
21.6%
Median age
39.5
Average commute
12.6 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (8,733), Norwegian Americans (3,524), Irish Americans (1,857).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Codington County. PPP loans are for Watertown.
Unemployment rate
1.8%
Aug 2026, -0.2 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$54,666
17,187 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$71,817
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$203M
FY 2026, $7,170 per person
How people get to work
Watertown, SD, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone83.8%
- Carpooled9.1%
- Public transit0.6%
- Walked1.1%
- Bicycle0.3%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.3%
- Worked from home4.8%
Average one-way commute: 12.6 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Watertown, SD, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: ice storm
Storm events since 1996
682
Countywide, mostly hail
Flood insurance policies
243
1.9% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
82° / 3°F
22.7 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone27 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Watertown, SD, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
35.4%
U.S. 33.3% +2.1 pts
Diabetes
11.6%
U.S. 12.1% -0.5 pts
Smoking
16.1%
U.S. 12.8% +3.3 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
8.9%
U.S. 11.1% -2.2 pts
Cities near Watertown
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| WaverlyCensus-designated place | 9.7 mi | 1 |
| KranzburgTown | 10 mi | 0.8 |
| CastlewoodCity | 14 mi | 1.2 |
| GoodwinTown | 14 mi | 0.5 |
| FlorenceTown | 14 mi | 0.7 |
| Claremont ColonyCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 0.3 |
| HazelTown | 16 mi | 0.2 |
| South ShoreTown | 16 mi | 1.4 |
| HenryTown | 17 mi | 1.5 |
| HaytiTown | 18 mi | 0.5 |
| StrandburgTown | 20 mi | 0.1 |
| StockholmTown | 21 mi | 0.4 |
| WallaceTown | 21 mi | 0.1 |
| NaplesTown | 21 mi | 0.1 |
| Poinsett ColonyCensus-designated place | 22 mi | 0.3 |
| AltamontTown | 22 mi | 1.3 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Watertown, SD in?
- Watertown is in Codington County, South Dakota.
- What is the population of Watertown, SD?
- About 23,044 people live in Watertown, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Watertown?
- Nearby places include Waverly (9.7 mi), Kranzburg (10 mi), Castlewood (14 mi), Goodwin (14 mi), Florence (14 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023