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All rankings computed from publicly available federal and state government datasets. No proprietary, synthetic, or estimated data is used.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025) Β· U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 Β· FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024 Β· America's Health Rankings, 2025 Β· WalletHub/NAEP, 2025 Β· U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Β· Cook Political Report, PVI 2024 Β· Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025 Β· ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025 Β· WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025 Β· U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025 Β· BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 Β· EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024 Β· EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 Β· FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025 Β· U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024 Β· FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025 Β· National Park Service API, 2024 Β· USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024 Β· U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 Β· U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting) Β· FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023 Β· U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 Β· EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 Β· EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024 Β· DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023 Β· BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023 Β· NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24 Β· EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22 Β· NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23 Β· BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023 Β· NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023 Β· Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022 Β· Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023 Β· Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022 Β· S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025 Β· Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023) Β· IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022

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National/SD/Watertown
B

Watertown

South DakotaΒ·Rank #493 of 20 in SDΒ·Pop. 22,859
Composite Score52.6

Watertown, South Dakota scores 52.6/100 (B grade), ranking #493 of 20 cities in South Dakota. Median income: $62,721.

πŸ’΅ Median Income
$62,721
β–Ό $9,559vs state ($72,280)
πŸ’Ό Unemployment
N/A
State: 2%
πŸ”’ Violent Crime
N/A
State: 330
πŸ“ˆ Pop. Growth
+1.2%
β–² 0.2%vs state (+1%)
🏠Median Home Value
$212,300
Census ACS 2023
πŸ”‘Median Rent
$904/mo
Census ACS 2023
πŸ›’Cost of Living
90.5
100 = national avg
πŸ’ΈRent Burden
17.3%
Rent as % of income
πŸ“Price-to-Income
3.4x
Home value Γ· income
πŸ“ŠPoverty Rate
10.7%
Census ACS 2023
πŸŽ“Graduation Rate
87%
EDFacts ACGR 2021-22
πŸ‘©β€πŸ«Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
NCES CCD 2023-24
πŸ’΅Per-Pupil Spending
$10,402
NCES F-33 Finance 2022-23
πŸ“šTotal Enrollment
3,673
NCES CCD 2023-24
🏫Public Schools
8
Regular public schools
βš–οΈObesity Rate
35.4%
CDC PLACES 2023
🩺Diabetes Rate
11.6%
CDC PLACES 2023
🧠Poor Mental Health Days
15.7
per 30 days Β· CDC BRFSS
πŸš—Mean Commute
13.1 min
State avg: 16 min
πŸš‡Public Transit Use
0.6%
State avg: 0.4%
πŸ’»Work From Home
3.9%
State avg: 8.5%
🌑️Annual Avg
49.9Β°F
NOAA Climate Normals
β˜€οΈSummer Avg
73.2Β°F
Jun\u2013Aug average
❄️Winter Avg
25.8Β°F
Dec\u2013Feb average
🌧️Annual Precip
34.7"
inches per year

Watertown vs South Dakota

WatertownSouth Dakota

Scores by Category

πŸ’° Economy37.1
β–Ό 33.2 vs state (state: 70.3)
πŸ›‘οΈ Safety62.7
β€” same as state (state: 62.7)
πŸ₯ Health54.9
β–² 1.8 vs state (state: 53.1)
πŸŽ“ Education51.7
β–Ό 38.1 vs state (state: 89.8)
πŸ’Ό Fiscal Health47.8
β–Ό 28.5 vs state (state: 76.3)
πŸ“ˆ Growth47
β–Ό 16.4 vs state (state: 63.4)
🏠 Affordability82
β–Ό 2.5 vs state (state: 84.5)
🌿 Environment53.3
β€” same as state (state: 53.3)
🏞️ Outdoor Access45.8
β€” same as state (state: 45.8)
πŸš‡ Transportation43.4
β–Ό 4.6 vs state (state: 48)
🎭 Livability50
β–Ό 4.3 vs state (state: 54.3)

Watertown vs South Dakota

More Cities in South Dakota

Tea65.3Dakota Dunes65.1Harrisburg63.7Rapid Valley63.3Brandon59.8Sioux Falls58.7Spearfish57.2Rapid City55.6Aberdeen55.4

Watertown, South Dakota Overview

Watertown earns an overall grade of B with a composite score of 52.6 out of 100, ranking #493 of 20 cities in South Dakota. The city's strongest category is Affordability (82/100) while its biggest challenge is Economy (37/100).

Income & Employment in Watertown

The median household income in Watertown is $62,721 according to Census ACS data. The city's population grew 1.2% recently, indicating strong demand.

Cost of Living in Watertown

Watertown has a cost of living index of 90.5 (where 100 equals the national average), which is well below the national average. The median home value is $212,300. Median monthly rent is $904. Overall, Watertown offers below-average costs relative to the rest of the country.

Health & Wellness in Watertown

The adult obesity rate in Watertown is 35.4% according to CDC PLACES data. The diabetes prevalence rate is 11.6%. Residents report an average of 15.7 poor mental health days per month. These health indicators are important for assessing overall quality of life in Watertown, South Dakota.

Education & Schools in Watertown

Watertown has 8 public schools serving 3,673 students. The high school graduation rate is 87%, a solid rate. The student-teacher ratio is 15.1:1. The district spends $10,402 per student. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate in Watertown

Watertown has an annual average temperature of 49.9Β°F. Summers average 73.2Β°F. Winters average 25.8Β°F. The city receives approximately 34.7 inches of precipitation per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall score for Watertown, South Dakota?

Watertown has an overall score of 52.6 out of 100, earning a B grade and ranking #493 among 20 cities in South Dakota.

What is the median income in Watertown?

The median household income in Watertown is $62,721, based on Census ACS data.

Is Watertown safe?

Detailed crime data for Watertown is currently limited. Check the city profile for the latest safety scores.

What is the cost of living in Watertown?

Watertown has a cost of living index of 90.5 (100 = national average). It is more affordable than the national average.

How are the public schools in Watertown?

Watertown has 8 public schools with a 87% graduation rate. The student-teacher ratio is 15.1:1.

← Back to South Dakota

Data Sources

πŸ“ŽBureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)πŸ“ŽU.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024πŸ“ŽFBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024πŸ“ŽAmerica's Health Rankings, 2025πŸ“ŽWalletHub/NAEP, 2025πŸ“ŽU.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024πŸ“ŽCook Political Report, PVI 2024πŸ“ŽTax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025πŸ“ŽALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025πŸ“ŽWalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025πŸ“ŽU.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025πŸ“ŽBEA Regional Price Parities, 2023πŸ“ŽEPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024πŸ“ŽEIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024πŸ“ŽFEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025πŸ“ŽU.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024πŸ“ŽFCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025πŸ“ŽNational Park Service API, 2024πŸ“ŽUSGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024πŸ“ŽU.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022πŸ“ŽU.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)πŸ“ŽFHWA Highway Statistics, 2023πŸ“ŽU.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022πŸ“ŽEIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024πŸ“ŽEIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024πŸ“ŽDOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023πŸ“ŽBEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023πŸ“ŽNCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24πŸ“ŽEDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22πŸ“ŽNCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23πŸ“ŽBEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023πŸ“ŽNASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023πŸ“ŽCensus Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022πŸ“ŽPew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023πŸ“ŽPew Charitable Trusts, FY2022πŸ“ŽS&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025πŸ“ŽBureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)πŸ“ŽIRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022