Watertown, South Dakota | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname: South Dakota's Rising Star | |
 Location inCodington County and the state ofSouth Dakota | |
| Coordinates:44°54′12″N97°7′14″W / 44.90333°N 97.12056°W /44.90333; -97.12056 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | South Dakota |
| County | Codington |
| Founded | 1879[1] |
| Incorporated | 1885[2] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| • Body | Watertown City Council |
| • Mayor | Ried Holien |
| Area | |
• City | 26.34 sq mi (68.23 km2) |
| • Land | 18.37 sq mi (47.57 km2) |
| • Water | 7.98 sq mi (20.66 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,729 ft (527 m) |
| Population | |
• City | 22,655 |
• Estimate (2024)[6] | 23,501 |
| • Density | 1,233.5/sq mi (476.25/km2) |
| • Metro | 28,325 (US:451st) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 57201 |
| Area code | 605 |
| FIPS code | 46-69300 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1267627[4] |
| Website | watertownsd.us |
Watertown is a city in and thecounty seat ofCodington County, South Dakota, United States.[7] Watertown is home to theRedlin Art Center, which houses many of the works ofTerry Redlin, one of the nation's most popular wildlife artists. Watertown is betweenPelican Lake andLake Kampeska, from which Redlin derived inspiration for his artwork.
The population was 22,655 at the2020 census,[5] making Watertown South Dakota's5th-most populous city. It is also the principal city of the WatertownMicropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Codington County. It is home to theBramble Park Zoo. Watertown's residential real estate is considered the most expensive in South Dakota for cities of its size; the median price for a home in Watertown was approximately $200,000 as of 2013[update].[8]
Watertown is along theBig Sioux River.[9]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 25.04 square miles (64.85 km2), of which 17.45 square miles (45.20 km2) is land and 7.59 square miles (19.66 km2) is water.[10] Watertown sits on theBig Sioux River and two major lakes,Pelican Lake andLake Kampeska. Most of Watertown also sits on a shortplateau. Watertown Regional Airport's elevation is 1,745 ft (532 m).
Watertown was founded in 1879 as a rail terminus when theChicago & Northwestern Railroad reactivated part of a line it had constructed toLake Kampeska.[1][11] The city was named afterWatertown, New York, the hometown of brothers John E. and Oscar P. Kemp (grandfather ofJack Kemp[12]), two of the city's founders. The town was originally planned to be called Kampeska.[1]
During the 1880s, Watertown prospered as a transportation hub after the railroads had extended farther west. Along with several other cities, it had been a candidate for capital of the new state of South Dakota,[1] losing to the more centrally locatedPierre. The city's newspaper, theWatertown Public Opinion, began publishing in 1887.[1]
In the mid-20th century,Interstate 29 was constructed through eastern South Dakota.[13] The route included a slight bend to bring it closer to Watertown.[13] Its construction was a major economic benefit to Watertown and the communities near it.[13]
In the last decades the climate is configured as hot-summerhumid continental climate (Köppen:Dfa); it previously had a warm-summer (Dfb). Although it is a humid city, it is relatively dry for its climatic category, due to its position in theGreat Plains, which still provides an even greater thermal amplitude, especially in the higher values.[14]
| Climate data forWatertown Regional Airport, South Dakota (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1893−present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 65 (18) | 66 (19) | 82 (28) | 95 (35) | 106 (41) | 107 (42) | 110 (43) | 105 (41) | 104 (40) | 91 (33) | 78 (26) | 69 (21) | 110 (43) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 41.7 (5.4) | 46.0 (7.8) | 63.1 (17.3) | 78.6 (25.9) | 86.3 (30.2) | 90.8 (32.7) | 93.4 (34.1) | 91.3 (32.9) | 87.7 (30.9) | 79.0 (26.1) | 62.2 (16.8) | 44.8 (7.1) | 95.0 (35.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 21.4 (−5.9) | 25.9 (−3.4) | 38.6 (3.7) | 54.0 (12.2) | 66.9 (19.4) | 76.8 (24.9) | 82.0 (27.8) | 79.5 (26.4) | 71.6 (22.0) | 56.2 (13.4) | 39.8 (4.3) | 26.3 (−3.2) | 53.2 (11.8) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 12.2 (−11.0) | 16.3 (−8.7) | 29.1 (−1.6) | 42.8 (6.0) | 55.7 (13.2) | 66.1 (18.9) | 71.0 (21.7) | 68.5 (20.3) | 60.1 (15.6) | 45.7 (7.6) | 30.6 (−0.8) | 17.8 (−7.9) | 43.0 (6.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 3.1 (−16.1) | 6.7 (−14.1) | 19.6 (−6.9) | 31.5 (−0.3) | 44.5 (6.9) | 55.4 (13.0) | 60.0 (15.6) | 57.5 (14.2) | 48.6 (9.2) | 35.2 (1.8) | 21.3 (−5.9) | 9.3 (−12.6) | 32.7 (0.4) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −20.9 (−29.4) | −17.2 (−27.3) | −6.0 (−21.1) | 15.1 (−9.4) | 29.4 (−1.4) | 42.9 (6.1) | 47.3 (8.5) | 44.6 (7.0) | 32.1 (0.1) | 18.4 (−7.6) | 2.3 (−16.5) | −13.8 (−25.4) | −24.3 (−31.3) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −40 (−40) | −38 (−39) | −27 (−33) | −10 (−23) | 16 (−9) | 25 (−4) | 35 (2) | 32 (0) | 9 (−13) | −2 (−19) | −20 (−29) | −37 (−38) | −40 (−40) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 0.58 (15) | 0.65 (17) | 1.00 (25) | 2.06 (52) | 2.87 (73) | 3.85 (98) | 3.05 (77) | 2.89 (73) | 2.45 (62) | 1.95 (50) | 0.68 (17) | 0.68 (17) | 22.71 (577) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 6.7 (17) | 8.9 (23) | 5.4 (14) | 5.2 (13) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 1.4 (3.6) | 4.5 (11) | 8.9 (23) | 41.1 (104) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 5.9 | 6.0 | 6.9 | 8.9 | 11.4 | 11.4 | 9.5 | 8.6 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 5.4 | 6.3 | 96.3 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 5.6 | 5.9 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 6.0 | 26.6 |
| Source:NOAA[15][16] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 746 | — | |
| 1890 | 2,672 | 258.2% | |
| 1900 | 3,352 | 25.4% | |
| 1910 | 7,010 | 109.1% | |
| 1920 | 9,400 | 34.1% | |
| 1930 | 10,214 | 8.7% | |
| 1940 | 10,617 | 3.9% | |
| 1950 | 12,699 | 19.6% | |
| 1960 | 14,077 | 10.9% | |
| 1970 | 13,388 | −4.9% | |
| 1980 | 15,649 | 16.9% | |
| 1990 | 17,592 | 12.4% | |
| 2000 | 20,237 | 15.0% | |
| 2010 | 21,482 | 6.2% | |
| 2020 | 22,655 | 5.5% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 23,019 | [6] | 1.6% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[17] 2020 Census[5] | |||
Theper capita income for the city was $18,994. About 5.7% of families and 9.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.[18]
As of the2020 census, Watertown had a population of 22,655. The median age was 38.1 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.7 males age 18 and over.[19]
90.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 9.1% lived in rural areas.[20]
There were 9,899 households in Watertown, of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 41.9% were married-couple households, 23.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[19]
There were 10,878 housing units, of which 9.0% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.6%.[19]
| Race | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| White | 20,702 | 91.4% |
| Black or African American | 105 | 0.5% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 617 | 2.7% |
| Asian | 181 | 0.8% |
| Native Hawaiian andOther Pacific Islander | 7 | 0.0% |
| Some other race | 197 | 0.9% |
| Two or more races | 846 | 3.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 627 | 2.8% |
As of thecensus of 2010, there were 21,482 people, 9,278 households, and 5,563 families residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,231.3 inhabitants per square mile (475.4/km2). There were 10,050 housing units at an average density of 575.9 per square mile (222.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.8%White, 0.4%African American, 2.4%Native American, 0.5%Asian, 0.5% fromother races, and 1.4% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.6% of the population.
There were 9,278 households, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% weremarried couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.0% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.90.
The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 20,237 people, 8,385 households, and 5,290 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,328.9 inhabitants per square mile (513.1/km2). There were 9,193 housing units at an average density of 603.7 per square mile (233.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.25%White, 0.14%African American, 1.65%Native American, 0.33%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.71% fromother races, and 0.90% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.28% of the population. 47.1% were ofGerman, 19.8%Norwegian and 5.9%Irish ancestry. 96.5% spokeEnglish, 1.7%Spanish and 1.1%German as their first language.
There were 8,385 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% weremarried couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100females age 18 and over, there were 93.9males.
Watertown has two institutions providing post-secondary education.Lake Area Technical College is a public technical school classified as a community college, offering degrees in areas such as agriculture, nursing, and welding. There is also a satellite campus ofMount Marty University,[22] a private Catholic school based inYankton, South Dakota.
Lake Area Technical College received the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, following three previous Finalist-With-Distinction honors in 2011, 2013, and 2015. The Aspen Institute awarded the prize in March 2017 in Washington, D.C., after an intense data collection process that included a rigorous review of critical elements of student success, such as learning, completion, and employment after college.
The school district isWatertown School District 14-4..[23] Watertown has one public high school,Watertown High School, andWatertown Middle School (7th and 8th grades) is Watertown's only public middle school. Construction of the school was completed in 2015. The community's "Prairie Lakes Wellness Center" opened in 2017, adjacent to the middle school. When the middle school opened in 2015, the former middle school was renovated and became the Intermediate School (5th and 6th grades). Watertown has multiple elementary schools. The five public elementary schools are Lincoln Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, McKinnely Elementary, and Mellette Elementary.
There are also private schools: There is one private boarding school,Great Plains Lutheran High School, of theWisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.[24] Immaculate Conception School is a private Catholic elementary school. St. Martin's Lutheran School is a private Lutheran elementary school of theWELS. Watertown Christian School is a private non-denominationalChristian elementary school.Harmony Hill High School was aCatholic girls'boarding school in Watertown from 1967 to 1974.
The Watertown Regional Library is the town's main library. It is on 6th St. NE and open every day of the week.
| Channel (Digital) | Callsign | Network | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | KDLO-DT (Satellite of KELO) | CBS | Nexstar Media Group |
| 3.2 | KDLO-DT (Satellite of KELO) | MyNetworkTV | Nexstar Media Group |
| 3.4 | KDLO-DT (Satellite of KELO) | The CW Plus | Nexstar Media Group |
| 13.1 | K32DK-D (Translator of KSFY) | ABC | Gray Television |
| 13.2 | K32DK-D (Translator of KSFY) | Outlaw | Gray Television |
| 13.3 | K32DK-D (Translator of KSFY) | MeTV | Gray Television |
| 13.4 | K32DK-D (Translator of KSFY) | True Crime Network | Gray Television |
| 13.5 | K32DK-D (Translator of KSFY) | TheGrio | Gray Television |
| 46.1 | K28OE-D (Translator of KDLT) | NBC | Gray Television |
| 46.2 | K28OE-D (Translator of KDLT) | FOX | Gray Television |
| 46.3 | K28OE-D (Translator of KDLT) | The365 | Gray Television |
| 46.4 | K28OE-D (Translator of KDLT) | Cozi TV | Gray Television |
| 46.5 | K28OE-D (Translator of KDLT) | Court TV | Gray Television |
| 46.6 | K28OE-D (Translator of KDLT) | Ion Mystery | Gray Television |
| AM radio stations | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Call sign | Name | Format | Owner | City |
| 950 AM | KWAT | Full-service radio | Connoisseur Media | Watertown | |
| 1480 AM | KSDR | The Talk of Watertown | Conservative talk radio | Connoisseur Media | Watertown |
| FM radio stations | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Call sign | Name | Format | Owner | Target city/market | City of license |
| 89.1 FM | KPGT | Religious | Church Planters of America | Watertown | Watertown | |
| 90.1 FM | K211EC | Christian WJFM-FMtranslator | Jimmy Swaggart Ministries | Watertown | Watertown | |
| 90.3 FM | KJSD | South Dakota Public Broadcasting | NPR | South Dakota Bureau of Information and Telecommunication | Watertown | Watertown |
| 91.9 FM | K220IT | KNWC-FM | Contemporary Christian | University of Northwestern - St. Paul | Watertown | Watertown |
| 92.9 FM | KSDR-FM | New Country KS93 | Hot Country | Connoisseur Media | Watertown | Watertown |
| 96.1 FM | KIXX | The Best Mix Kicks 96 | Hot AC | Connoisseur Media | Watertown | Watertown |
| 96.9 FM | KDLO-FM | 96.9 KDLO Country | Classic Country | Connoisseur Media | Watertown | Watertown |
| 98.1 FM | KPHR | Star 98.1 | Soft Adult Contemporary | Prairie Winds Broadcasting | Watertown | Ortonville |
| 99.1 FM | KXLG | Soft Adult Contemporary,News/Talk | TMRG Broadcasting, LLC | Watertown | Milbank | |
| 103.5 FM | K278BK | Christian Radio | VCY America | Watertown | Watertown | |
| 104.3 FM | KKSD | 104.3 KKSD | Classic Hits | Connoisseur Media | Watertown | Milbank |
| 106.3 FM | KPHR | Power 106.3 | Classic Rock | Prairie Winds Broadcasting | Watertown | Ortonville |
Interstate 29 serves Watertown at Exits 177 and 180
U.S. Highway 81
U.S. Highway 212
South Dakota Highway 20Watertown also has oneairport,Watertown Regional Airport, served by Denver Air Connection with flights to Denver and Chicago O'Hare, and local bus service provided by the Watertown Area Transit Corporation.
Jefferson Lines provides intercity bus service to Watertown.[25]
According to the city's 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[28][29] Watertown's largest employers are:
| Employer | Sector | Number of Employees | As of | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown School District | Education | 776 | June 2018 | |
| Prairie Lakes Health System | Healthcare | 683 | June 2018 | |
| Terex Utilities | Manufacturing | 634 | June 2018 | |
| Hy-Vee | Retail | 450 | June 2018 | Mostly part-time |
| Premier Bankcard | Lending | 367 | June 2018 | |
| City of Watertown | Government | 336 | June 2018 | |
| Worthington Industries | Manufacturing | 309 | June 2018 | |
| Walmart | Retail | 300 | July 2017 | |
| Dakota Bodies | Manufacturing | 285 | June 2018 | |
| Jenkins Living Center | Healthcare | 274 | June 2018 | |
| OEM Worldwide/Sparton | Manufacturing | 272 | May 2017 | |
| Spartronics | Manufacturing | 253 | June 2018 | |
| Dakota Sioux Casino | Entertainment | 215 | November 2016 | |
| Lake Area Technical College | Education | 211[30] | May 2017 | |
| Target | Retail | 85 | July 2017 |
Municipalities and communities ofCodington County, South Dakota,United States | ||
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| City |  | |
| Towns | ||
| CDP | ||
| Other communities | ||
| Indian reservation | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
